Facilitating Conceptual Change in Students' Understanding of Ecological Concepts

In this study, the effect of conceptual-change-texts-oriented instruction to seventh-grade students' understanding of ecological concepts was investigated. Using information collected through interviews and related literature, the Ecology Concept Test was developed and administered to 58 elementary students in two classes of an elementary school before and after the treatment. The experimental group received conceptual-change-texts-oriented instruction and the control group received traditional instruction. Results of independent t test analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the gain score means of the students in both groups with respect to ecological concepts in favor of experimental group after the treatment.     

Enhancing Students' Understanding of Photosynthesis and Respiration in Plant Through Conceptual Change Approach

This study investigated the effectiveness of combining conceptual change text and discussion web strategies on students' understanding of photosynthesis and respiration in plants. Students' conceptual understanding of photosynthesis and respiration in plants was measured using the two-tier diagnostic test developed by Haslam and Treagust (1987, Journal of Biological Education 21: 203--211). The test was administered as pretest and posttest to a total of 233 eighth-grade students in six intact classes of the same school located in an urban area. The test of logical thinking was used to determine the reasoning ability of students. The experimental group was a class of 116 students received discussion web and conceptual change text instruction. A class of 117 students comprised the control group received a traditional instruction. After instruction, data were analyzed with two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) using the Test of Logical Thinking and pretest scores as covariate. The conceptual change instruction, which explicitly dealt with students' misconceptions, produced significantly greater achievement in understanding of photosynthesis and respiration in plant concepts. Analysis also revealed a significant difference between performance of females and that of males in the favor of females, but the interaction of treatment with gender difference was not significant for learning the concepts.     

Effect of Cooperative Learning Strategies on Students' Understanding of Concepts in Electrochemistry

The present study was conducted to investigate the degree of effectiveness of cooperative learning instruction over a traditional approach on 11th grade students' understanding of electrochemistry. The study involved forty-one 11th grade students from two science classes with the same teacher. To determine students' misconceptions concerning electrochemistry, the Electrochemistry Concept Test consisting of 8 open-ended and 12 multiple-choice questions was used as a pre-test and some students were interviewed. According to the results, twenty-four misconceptions (six of them initially identified) about electrochemistry were identified. The classrooms were randomly assigned to a control group (traditional instruction, 21 students) and an experimental group (cooperative learning based on a constructivist approach, 20 students). After instruction, the same test was administered to both groups as a post-test. The results from the t-test indicated that the students who were trained using cooperative learning instruction had significantly higher scores in terms of achievement than those taught by the traditional approach. According to the post-test and interviews, it was also found that instruction for the cooperative group was more successful in remediation of the predetermined misconceptions.     

An Investigation of Effectiveness of Conceptual Change Text-oriented Instruction on Students' Understanding of Solution Concepts

This study investigated the effect of conceptual change text-oriented instruction over traditional instruction on students' understanding of solution concepts (e.g., dissolving, solubility, factors affecting solubility, concentrations of solutions, types of solutions, physical properties of solutions) and their attitudes towards chemistry. The sample of this study consisted of 87 undergraduate students from two classes enrolled in an introductory chemistry course. One of the classes was assigned randomly to the control group, and the other class were assigned randomly to the experimental group. During teaching the topic of solution concepts in the chemistry curriculum, a conceptual change text-oriented instruction was applied in the experimental group whereas traditional instruction was followed in the control group. The results showed that the students in the experimental group performed better with respect to solution concepts. In addition, it has been found that there was no significant difference between the attitudes of students in the experimental and control groups towards chemistry.     

The Influence of Approach and Avoidance Goals on Conceptual Change

ABSTRACT

Recently, conceptual change research has been experiencing a warming trend (G. M. Sinatra, 2005) whereby motivational and affective factors are being explored in the conceptual change process. The purpose of this study is to explore the 2 × 2 framework of achievement goal theory in relation to students’ conceptual change learning for a specific topic in biology, HIV/AIDS. The authors hypothesized that those with approach goals (mastery approach and performance approach) would demonstrate greater posttest conceptual change in their understanding of HIV/AIDS than those with avoidance goals. Participants were 206 undergraduates in introductory-level college biology courses. Participants were provided a 1,004-word HIV/AIDS text and were pre- and posttested on their conceptual knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Results of an analysis of covariance indicated that approach-oriented students demonstrated greater conceptual HIV/AIDS change at posttest than avoidance-oriented students. Results are discussed in light of the warming trend and achievement goal theory.     

基于建构主义的数学概念转变学习

概念转变学习是学生原有概念的改变、发展和重建,是学生的前概念向科学概念的转变.日常概念、概念意象、迁移等因素是数学概念转变学习中产生错误概念的主要原因.根据概念转变的途径、机制和条件理论,概念转变学习的教学策略:(1)了解学生已有知识经验,促进日常概念向科学的数学概念转变;(2)引发认知冲突,辨清新旧界限以实现数学概念转变学习;(3)重视概念生成的凝聚,构建概念网络.     

概念转变学习：一种基于建构主义的科学教学模式

建构主义认为，科学概念的学习就是学生由前概念向科学概念的转变过程。西方学者对此做了大量的研究。本文着重分析了概念转变学习的内涵、支持条件、途径和模式，以及促进前概念转变为科学概念的教学策略。     

概念转变研究对学习环境设计的启示

概念转变研究为我们提供了有关人是如何学习,尤其是如何进行深度理解与学习的"新认识论"视角。众多基于实证的重要研究发现启示我们,学习环境的设计应该:重视并运用学习者的先前概念;分析并转变先前概念背后的本体论和认识论假定;发展学习者的元概念意识;创设安全、包容的学习环境;精心安排课程材料。     

合作学习法在商务英语教学中的应用

在商务英语教学中,教师可以通过有效运用合作学习法,促使学生积极参与到课堂中,既有助于增强学生的商务交际和团队合作能力,又能提高学生商务英语学习的独立性与积极性,从而达到提高商务英语教学质量的目的。     

合作学习法在成人教学中的运用

随着教学改革的推进,合作小组学习形式越来越多地在成人高等院校课堂中运用。它对创设积极活跃的课堂气氛,促进成人学生学习兴趣,提升学生成绩都起到了积极的作用。然而,该方法在实际运用过程中也出现了许多问题。本文尝试对这些问题进行了探讨,并提出了相应的解决方案,以求小组合作式学习方法在成人教育中更好地发挥作用。     

A Conceptual Change Teaching Strategy to Facilitate High School Students' Understanding of Electrochemistry

Recent research in chemistry education has shown an increasing interest in the facilitation of conceptual change in student understanding of chemical concepts. Most of the studies have tried to show the difference in student performance on algorithmic and conceptual problems. The objective of this study is to go beyond and design a teaching strategy based on two teaching experiments that could facilitate students' conceptual understanding of electrochemistry. The study is based on two sections (control, n = 29; experimental, n = 28) of 10th grade high school students at a public school in Venezuela. Experimental group participated in two teaching experiments designed to generate situations/experiences in which students are forced to grapple with alternative responses leading to cognitive conflicts/contradictions. Results obtained show that learning electrochemistry involves both algorithmic and conceptual problems. On Posttest 1, 93% of the experimental group students responded correctly, in contrast to 39% of the control group. On Posttest 2, 39% of the experimental group responded correctly, in contrast to 0% of the Control group. The difference in performance on both posttests is statistically significant (p < 0.001). It is concluded that the teaching experiments facilitated students' understanding (progressive transitions) of electrochemistry.     

产出导向法指导下的大学英语合作学习

根据产出导向法设计了大学英语合作学习的基本步骤和做法,并对实施过程中遇到的问题进行思考和分析。     

Design and Development of a Computer Learning Environment on the Basis of Students' Initial Conceptions and Learning Difficulties About Chemical Equilibrium

This paper describes the design and development of an interactive learning environment inspired from the constructivist view of learning and aiming at helping students improve their conceptions about chemical equilibrium. The design of the software was based on data that emerged from research we undertook with 175 Greek students (aged 17–18), in order to detect their conceptions and learning difficulties about chemical equilibrium. The students' answers to a written questionnaire showed that they had inadequate representations of systems of substances at chemical equilibrium related to the empirical and the atomic level, manifested serious difficulties in conceiving the initial situation of a system at chemical equilibrium and the equilibrium shift, made overextended use of the Le Chatelier principle and applied intuitive personal rules instead of the equilibrium constant law. The aim of this computer application is to help students to create and/or improve their own representations about substances at chemical equilibrium in the empirical, atomic and symbolic level, to establish appropriate links among thes multiple representations, and to construct appropriate conceptions about the Le Chatelier principle and the equilibrium constant law. The software contains simulations and visualizations of experiments representing systems at chemical equilibrium, simulations of chemical reactions related to the atomic level, symbolic representations and dynamic graphs, and a step-by-step derivation of the equilibrium constant law.     

西方科学教学中概念转变学习理论的形成与发展

概念转变学习是一种建构主义科学教学理论.本文从历史的角度回顾了概念转变学习理论的形成与发展的过程,着重分析了概念转变模型与概念生态等问题.     

Effect of conceptual change approach accompanied with concept mapping on understanding of solution concepts

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of conceptual change texts accompanied with concept mapping instruction, compared to traditional instruction (TI), on 8th grade students understanding of solution concepts and their attitudes toward science as a school subject. Solution Concept Test was developed as a result of examination of related literature and interviews with teachers regarding their observations of students difficulties. The test was administered to a total of 64 eighth grade students from two classes of a general science course, taught by the same teacher. The experimental group received the conceptual change texts accompanied with concept mapping in a lecture by the teacher. This instruction explicitly dealt with students misconceptions. It was designed to suggest conditions in which misconceptions could be replaced by scientific conceptions and new conceptions could be integrated with existing conceptions. The control group received TI in which the teacher provided instruction through lecture and discussion methods. The results showed that conceptual change text accompanied with concept mapping instruction caused a significantly better acquisition of scientific conceptions related to solution concept and produced significantly higher positive attitudes toward science as a school subject than the TI. In addition, logical thinking ability and prior learning were strong predictors for the concept learning related to solution.     

Promoting Pre-service Elementary Students' Understanding of Chemical Equilibrium through Discussions in Small Groups

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of small group discussion on students' conceptual understanding of chemical equilibrium. Students' understanding of chemical equilibrium concepts was measured using the Misconception Identification Test. The test consisted of 30 items and administered as pre-posttests to a total of 81 pre-service elementary students in two intact classes of the same university. One of the classes was randomly assigned as experimental group (n = 40) which was instructed with discussion propositions related to chemical equilibrium concepts in small group and the other class was assigned as control group (n = 41) which was instructed through traditionally designed chemistry instruction. Analysis of covariate (ANCOVA) was used to determine treatment effects on students' conceptual understanding of chemical equilibrium when pre-test result was used a covariate. The analysis of results showed a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups' posttest mean scores in favor of the experimental group after treatment (F(1,78) = 47,77; P < 0.05). The results indicated that while the average percentage of students in the experimental group holding a scientifically correct concept had risen from 35.0% to 59.1%, a gain of 24.1%, the percentage of correct responses of the students in the control group had increased from 32.5% to 43.82%, a gain of 11.32% after treatment. In addition, the percentages of students' correct responses and keyed misconceptions on posttest results were discussed for six areas related to: (1) the mass vs. concentration, (2) rate vs. extent, (3) constancy of the equilibrium constant, (4) misuse of Le Chatelier's principle, (5) constant concentration, and (6) competing equilibria related to chemical equilibrium concepts in experimental and control groups.     

合作学习方法在课堂教学中的有效应用

合作学习能形成和改变学习的学习态度，增进合作学习技能，并创立紧密结合与整合学习为一体的学习方式，从而发展学习批判性思维、推理及解决问题的能力。     

Response to Contradiction: Conflict Resolution Strategies Used by Students in Solving Problems of Chemical Equilibrium

The main objective of this investigation was to show that a novel problem of chemical equilibrium based on a closely related sequence of items can facilitate students' conceptual understanding. Students were presented a chemical reaction in equilibrium to which a reactant was added as an external effect. A series of three studies were designed. In Study 1, the sequence of items started with a major alternative conception, namely, After the reaction has started, the rate of the forward reaction increases with time and that of the reverse reaction decreases, until equilibrium is reached. In Study 2, the major alternative conception was presented the last. In Study 3, instead of the sequence, only the following statement was presented: Rate of the reverse reaction increases gradually. In all three studies students had to agree/disagree with the statements and provide justifications. Results obtained show that at least one group of students, in Study 1 used a contradictory response pattern based on the generation and resolution of a cognitive conflict, which facilitated conceptual understanding. In Studies 2 and 3 students did not experience a similar cognitive conflict. Given the complexity of conceptual change and students' resistance to alter their alternative conceptions (cf. hard core, Lakatos )1970) Criticism and the Growth of Knowledge, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, pp. 91–106), it is suggested that changes in students' responses may have undergone a Peripheral Theory Change (Chinn and Brewer (1993) Review of Educational Research 63: 1–49).     

The Durability of Conceptual Change in Learning the Concept of Weight in the Case of a Pulley in Balance

This study concerns the question of how teachers can help pupils to perceive the concept of weight (gravitation). Fifth and ninth graders were asked in a paper-and-pencil test to compare the weight of two objects suspended in a pulley-in-balance half a year after the learning intervention consisting of three successive pulley-in-balance demonstrations. The understanding, that some of the fifth graders seemed to have formed from the weight concept after the teacher-independent learning intervention, had almost totally vanished in the delayed study. In the demonstrations the pulley served as an efficient prosthetic device for thinking, helping pupils to pay attention to the behaviour of the whole system instead of looking only at the separate objects. In the ninth grade about 45% of the pupils achieved general understanding about the pulley in balance by transferring the scientific explanation from the pulley demonstrations to the paper-and-pen test. A learning-with-conflict model is proposed based on pupil's alternative explanations about a discrepant event. These explanations are then challenged with a conflicting event. When pupils see and understand how the concept works in different contexts it is possible for the pupils to reach a context independent conceptual change.     

合作学习法在高职英语口语课堂教学中的应用

从提高高职高专英语课堂教学质量的目的出发,分析了合作学习法改善口语教学的优势,具体提出了合作学习小组的组织策略,以及教师在合作法教学中的角色转换,并且指出了合作学习法实施中应注意的问题。