Using Static and Dynamic Visuals to Represent Chemical Change at Molecular Level

• Published in: International journal of science education Vol. 27; no. 11; pp. 1269 - 1298
• Main Authors: Ardac, Dilek, Akaygun, Sevil
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Routledge 01.09.2005; Taylor & Francis Group Journals; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Comparative Analysis; Curriculum subjects: programmes and methods; Educational sciences; Exact and natural sciences; Grade 8; Instructional Effectiveness; Molecular Biology; Molecular Structure; Presentation Mode; Science Instruction; Teaching Methods; Visual Aids; Secondary School Student; Teaching method; Chemistry; Science Education; Multi-Media Instruction; Visual Presentation
• ISSN: 0950-0693; 1464-5289
• DOI: 10.1080/09500690500102284

The study examines the effectiveness of visually enhanced instruction that emphasizes molecular representations. Instructional conditions were specified in terms of the visual elaboration level (static and dynamic) and the presentation mode (whole class and individual). Fifty-two eighth graders (age range 14-15 years) participated in one of the three instructional conditions (dynamic-individual, dynamic-whole class, and static-whole class) designed to improve molecular understanding on chemical change. The results indicated significantly higher performance for students who used dynamic visuals compared with those who used static visuals. Furthermore, students who used dynamic visuals on an individual basis were more consistent in their use of molecular representations compared with students who received whole-class instruction with dynamic or static visuals. The results favour the use of dynamic visuals (preferably on an individual basis) over static visuals when presenting molecular representations. The results also imply that the effectiveness of instruction will improve if teachers challenge and question the inconsistencies and contradictions between verbal explanations and corresponding molecular representations