Seventh-grade Students' Understanding of Chemical Reactions: Reflections from an Action Research Interview Study
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Ingo Eilks 1 * , Jens Moellering 2, Nicos Valanides 3
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1 University of Bremen, Bremen, GERMANY
2 Geschwister-Scholl-Gymnasium, Garbsen, and University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, GERMANY
3 University of Cyprus, Nicosia, CYPRUS
* Corresponding Author

Abstract

This paper discusses seventh-grade students' explanations of dissolution and combustion and also identifies their understanding of the differences between physical and chemical changes. A teaching strategy was initially negotiated within an action research group and this strategy was then employed in teaching seventh-grade students. The teaching approach applied the idea that discrete particle changes can be used to differentiate chemical reactions from simple physical changes. Data were collected by an action research group teacher who conducted interviews with dyads of students from different chemistry classrooms. The interviews were transcribed, subsequently analyzed and evaluated in co-operation with researchers from the university. The main mistakes and alternative conceptions that have been identified are discussed. Further, some implications for developing appropriate teaching strategies and curriculum materials are also summarized.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

https://doi.org/10.12973/ejmste/75408

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, 2007 - Volume 3 Issue 4, pp. 271-286

Publication date: 23 Dec 2007

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