Year

2006

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Faculty of Education

Abstract

Many researchers and examiners report that senior high school students often have an inadequate understanding of fundamental chemical concepts. Chemical equilibrium is an example of one of these concepts and researchers suggest that the abstract and dynamic nature of chemical equilibrium is one reason why learning/teaching difficulties occur.

For the purpose of this study, conceptual understanding of chemistry is defined as a blend of conceptual knowledge, the ability to translate among different representations, and the application of this knowledge to new situations.

The study focused on the contribution of multiple representations to learning and teaching strategies that assist senior high school students and teachers to develop conceptual understanding of chemical equilibrium. This purpose was achieved progressively through answering four research questions.

1. What difficulties do students face when developing conceptual understanding of abstract chemistry concepts, particularly chemical equilibrium? 2. What difficulties do teachers face when developing students' understanding of abstract chemistry concepts, particularly chemical equilibrium? 3. What features of computer-based visualization software support the development of conceptual understanding of chemical equilibrium? 4. What strategies do teachers employ when they use these features of computer-based visualisation software in classroom teaching?

An investigation of students' performance, in the HSC Chemistry examination found lower performance in two areas: use of language; and factual, conceptual and procedural knowledge. Three possibilities for students' lower performance were explored here through the literature review. In addition, two major areas of teachers' difficulties in facilitating students' conceptual understanding of chemical equilibrium were identified from the literature review.

Two instructional software programs, SMV: CHEM - Synchronized Multiple Visualisations of Cheritistry and VisChem - Visualising the Molecular World, that focus on teaching chemistry with macroscopic, sub-microscopic and symbolic representations, were reviewed. The review identified specific computer-based visual techniques and appropriate software elements that could be used to address some of the learning/teaching difficulties previously identified. Two studies were then designed to develop and implement teaching strategies that integrated software elements and other resources to address targeted areas of teaching/learning difficulties.

The results from these studies revealed that teacher demonstration of software could contribute to the development of students' representational competence, however the integration of multiple representations into other learning/teaching strategies were more likely to effectively develop conceptual understanding. The study found that effective teaching strategies were often blends of teachers' sound knowledge of: subject matter with thorough conceptual understanding; computer-based technologies; and learners' needs.

The study has implications for science/chemistry teachers, pre-service science teachers, senor high school science students, software designers/resource producers, and Chemistry curriculum evaluation and assessment.

02Chapter1.pdf (917 kB)
03Chapter2.pdf (4238 kB)
04Chapter3.pdf (2170 kB)
05Chapter4.pdf (1490 kB)
06Chapter5.pdf (2357 kB)
07Chapter6.pdf (1576 kB)
08Chapter7.pdf (1492 kB)
09Chapter8.pdf (2732 kB)
10Chapter9.pdf (1943 kB)
11Chapter10.pdf (875 kB)
12References.pdf (1285 kB)

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Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.