Misconceptions Of Students In Acid-Base Subject And Use Of Different Substance Classes For Determining Misconceptions

Morgil, İ., Yılmaz, A., Şen, O. & Yavuz, S.

Paper presented at a National Congress: V. Fen Bilimleri ve Matematik Eğitimi Kongresi, ODTU, Ankara, Turkey

Turkish

Misconceptions about acid-base subject causes difficulties in understanding of following subjects. Because the concepts of acid-base come in front of us in many other subjects of chemistry. Tests addressing the same goal and behaviour were prepared in three different styles (multiple choice, written exam and short answer) in order to define the said misconceptions and in order to reveal how successful are the prepared tests in determining misconceptions. Misconceptions and achievements of 40 students who study in Hacettepe University, Education Faculty, Chemistry Teachers Department about acid-base issue they learnt within the scope of analytical chemistry were determined. The questions especially touched on concepts like pH, acid-base forces, strong acid, weak acid, strong base and weak base, conjugate acid-base couples, neutralization, amphoteric, salt formation, indicators and acid-base concentrations.

At the end of the evaluation it was determined that the misconceptions of students about acid-base issue were not much and the substance class had effect on determining misconceptions and suggestions were set forth according to that. It is known that especially some terms and concepts are mispercieved in subjects newly learnt by students in chemistry education at university, secondary education and primary school levels. Learning situations of fundamental concepts particularly acid and base concepts were studied in this research.

Printed Document

Hüseyin Miraç Akgün

Kırıkkale University

Research Assistant