Understanding Teacher Trainees’ Reasoning Patterns about the Formation and Description of Chemical Compounds

In this study, diagnostic worksheets adopted from the Royal Society of Chemistry and microscale chemistry activities were employed to investigate teacher trainees’ understanding of chemical compounds. The framework for the study was hinged on the constructivist theory. Participants in this study wer...

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Main Authors: Ruby Hanson, Nelly Sakyi-Hagan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: ICASE 2019-06-01
Series:Science Education International
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.icaseonline.net/journal/index.php/sei/article/view/125
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author Ruby Hanson
Nelly Sakyi-Hagan
author_facet Ruby Hanson
Nelly Sakyi-Hagan
author_sort Ruby Hanson
collection DOAJ
description In this study, diagnostic worksheets adopted from the Royal Society of Chemistry and microscale chemistry activities were employed to investigate teacher trainees’ understanding of chemical compounds. The framework for the study was hinged on the constructivist theory. Participants in this study were 36 1st-year undergraduate teacher trainees of the Departments of Chemistry and Physics Education in the University of Education, Winneba. One group was taught through the use of worksheets, while the other was engaged through traditional exercises, but all participated in microscale activities. A pre-test to assess homogeneity of the groups showed a common performance entry point. It revealed that trainees had language-based problems, conceptual misunderstanding, and poor interpretation of chemical formula. Post-test and retention test showed significant differences between groups. The group that used the worksheets, though simple, outperformed the traditional group. Thus, the study concluded that the use of diagnostic worksheets affects trainees’ understanding of principles required for the formation of chemical compounds and enhances retention (t = 20.6; ρ ˂0.05). This study was significant because trainees must gain exposure on how to develop sound scientific concepts through innovative ways to help their own students to break the vicious cycle of chemical misconceptions.
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spelling doaj.art-aa4c3c5208884d338d4313299cc281972022-12-21T19:23:17ZengICASEScience Education International2077-23272019-06-0130210511510.33828/sei.v30.i2.4Understanding Teacher Trainees’ Reasoning Patterns about the Formation and Description of Chemical CompoundsRuby Hanson0Nelly Sakyi-Hagan1Department of Chemistry Education, University of Education, Winneba, GhanaDepartment of Integrated Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, GhanaIn this study, diagnostic worksheets adopted from the Royal Society of Chemistry and microscale chemistry activities were employed to investigate teacher trainees’ understanding of chemical compounds. The framework for the study was hinged on the constructivist theory. Participants in this study were 36 1st-year undergraduate teacher trainees of the Departments of Chemistry and Physics Education in the University of Education, Winneba. One group was taught through the use of worksheets, while the other was engaged through traditional exercises, but all participated in microscale activities. A pre-test to assess homogeneity of the groups showed a common performance entry point. It revealed that trainees had language-based problems, conceptual misunderstanding, and poor interpretation of chemical formula. Post-test and retention test showed significant differences between groups. The group that used the worksheets, though simple, outperformed the traditional group. Thus, the study concluded that the use of diagnostic worksheets affects trainees’ understanding of principles required for the formation of chemical compounds and enhances retention (t = 20.6; ρ ˂0.05). This study was significant because trainees must gain exposure on how to develop sound scientific concepts through innovative ways to help their own students to break the vicious cycle of chemical misconceptions.http://www.icaseonline.net/journal/index.php/sei/article/view/125chemical compoundsdiagnostic worksheetsteacher traineesreasoning patterns
spellingShingle Ruby Hanson
Nelly Sakyi-Hagan
Understanding Teacher Trainees’ Reasoning Patterns about the Formation and Description of Chemical Compounds
Science Education International
chemical compounds
diagnostic worksheets
teacher trainees
reasoning patterns
title Understanding Teacher Trainees’ Reasoning Patterns about the Formation and Description of Chemical Compounds
title_full Understanding Teacher Trainees’ Reasoning Patterns about the Formation and Description of Chemical Compounds
title_fullStr Understanding Teacher Trainees’ Reasoning Patterns about the Formation and Description of Chemical Compounds
title_full_unstemmed Understanding Teacher Trainees’ Reasoning Patterns about the Formation and Description of Chemical Compounds
title_short Understanding Teacher Trainees’ Reasoning Patterns about the Formation and Description of Chemical Compounds
title_sort understanding teacher trainees reasoning patterns about the formation and description of chemical compounds
topic chemical compounds
diagnostic worksheets
teacher trainees
reasoning patterns
url http://www.icaseonline.net/journal/index.php/sei/article/view/125
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