Effects of the Traditional Method and Constructivist Approach on the Understanding of Atomic Structure and Elimination of Related Misconceptions

Tezcan, H. & Salmaz, Ç.

Paper of the national journal, Gazi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi

Turkish

The purpose of this study is to compare the “traditional teaching technique” and “constructivist approach” as regards to the perception of the concepts related to the “structure of atom“. The study was carried out with the 9th year students in Kırklareli Babaeski High school. The students have been given a pre-test in order to determine their primary knowledge and misconceptions. Two groups have been formed with equal success rates. One of them is determined as the “control” and the other as the “experimental” group. Control and the experimental groups were taught with traditional and constructivist approach respectively. All the students were given a Prior Knowledge Test related to Structure of Atom, Logical Thinking Skill Test, Scientific Calculation Skill test and Atomic Structure Concepts test before the teaching process. In order to evaluate their success, after the teaching process, the students have been given a final atomic structure concept test.

The conclusions of the study suggest that the Constructivist Method was more successful, and some misconceptions still persisted after the teaching process. In order to determine the reasons behind their misconceptions, some interviews are made with the students. The study has useful suggestions for teachers of chemistry for secondary schools.

Printed Document

Murat Demirbaş

Kırıkkale University

Asst. Prof. Dr.