مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - FACILITATING CONCEPTUAL CHANGE IN ATOM, MOLECULE, ION AND MATTER COCEPTS

Abstract :

The main purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of conceptual change texts oriented instruction accompanied with analogies on seven grade students’ understanding of atom, molecule, ion and matter concepts. In addition, the effect of instruction on students’ attitudes toward science as a school subject and the effect of gender difference on understanding of atom, molecule, ion and matter concepts were investigated.. In this study, 70 students at seventh grade from two classes were participated and they were instructed by the same teacher. The study was conducted during 2004-2005 first semester. Two groups were selected randomly throughout five classes. One of the group was defined as control group and other group defined as experimental group. Students in control group were instructed traditional method and students experimental group were instructed by conceptual change text oriented instruction accompanied with analogies. Attitude Toward Science and Atom, Molecule, Ion, Matter Test were administered to both groups as a pre-test and post-test. ANOVA model was used to test hypothesis. The results showed that experimental group significantly better acquisition of the scientific conceptions related to atom, molecule, ion and matter concepts than the traditional group. On the other hand, no significant effect of gender difference on understanding of atom, molecule, ion and matter concepts and students’ attitudes toward science as a school subject was found.