Preliminary communication
The acquisition of covalent bond concept based on students’ statements on chemistry learning and teaching
Roko Vladušić
; The Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Marija Lozo
; "Father Petar Perica" Elementary School, Makarska
Abstract
Encouraged by the results of international scientific researches which emphasize incomprehension of different chemical concepts as well as the lack of research of that topic within the framework of Chemistry Education outcomes in Croatia, we have designed and conducted our own research. The aim was to establish the extent of knowledge and understanding of covalent bond concept, as well as to find a cause-effect relation between those findings and students’ statements on Chemistry learning and teaching. The research was conducted in two comprehensive schools and at the Faculty of Natural Science and Mathematics in Split. It was based on the interview method and questionnaire. The results indicate the incomprehension of covalent bond concept. We have also noted the lack of acquisition of certain segments of knowledge at the expected level of education. Since the knowledge of elementary programmes is very poor, it is acquired at a higher level of education which results in the lack of acquisition of the current teaching programme. On the basis of such findings we have created a model of ‘’incomplete (slow) knowledge progression’’. The causes of such poor knowledge are diverse. The questionnaire results indicate that students have not developed their working habits, i.e. they do not study on a regular basis. Also, the lack of experiment-conducting lessons can also cause incomprehension of covalent bond concept both directly and indirectly through reduced motivation for Chemistry learning.
Keywords
covalent bond; the understanding of covalent bond concept; incomplete knowledge progression; Chemistry learning; Chemistry teaching; the incomprehension of the valence bond theory; the octet rule; molecule geometry and polarity
Hrčak ID:
82327
URI
Publication date:
30.9.2011.
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