Development of Students’ Learning Strategies in Teaching Chemistry

E.Zorova, M.Akhmetov

Gradec Kralove, 2014

What is learning strategy?

• Sequence of mental operations:– representation of goals – intellectual styles for achievement of

learning results– an correction of thinking and

learning styles– Reflection methods & results in a

mind

• These operations can be doing in different mental styles– Visual style– Logical style – Symbolic style– Emotional style

What mental simulation use chemists?

Mental simulation:

Visual models

Chemical formulas end equations

Pictures and chemical models

Chemical phenomenon

A text

Mental simulation:Symbolic models

Chemical formulas end equations

Pictures and chemical models

Chemical phenomenon

A text

Why students have learning problems?

Problem of our research

Our hypothesis

• Students can achieve better educational results and improve their learning activity, if they will develop their learning strategies through learning chemistry

7

3.Symbolic

2. Submicro

1. Macro

Levels of Understanding Chemistry (Johnstone)

8

Levels of chemical thinking

4. Abstract level

3. Logical level

2. Visual submicro level

1. Visual macro level

9

Best Way to Learning Chemistry (initial course)

5. Symbolic models

4. Description of observation & mo

dels

3. Mental models

2. Chemical models

1. Chemical observation

Results

The beginning

Our attention

Pilot pedagogical experiment

• What students visualize in their minds if teacher says «Chemical element»?

What students Visualize Grades

1 group Model of atom Excellent

2 group Symbol of element

Good

3 group Periodic table Not good enough

Example of two ways for chemical calculations

Results of ’chemical problems’ solving

13

Conclusions & Perspectives on Future Research

• Chemists prefer visual models in their mind for solving chemical problems

• Specific of chemical thinking not enough reflected in textbooks

• Students need visual representation for better results of their learning

• Visual strategies allow students to achieve success in solving problems

• Technique for teaching chemistry through development learning strategies need to creation