Development of a learning progression for the particle model of matter

Joi D. Merritt, Joseph Krajcik, Yael Shwartz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Prior research indicates that one of the most difficult concepts for students to understand is that of the particle nature of matter. The How can I smell things from a distance? chemistry unit takes the approach of building students' ideas through the construction and revision of models. The purpose of this study is to describe the changes in students' understanding of the particle nature of matter as they were engaged in an eight-week model-based curriculum. One teacher and her two 6 th-grade classes in a midwestern school district were the focus of the study. Data sources include pre- and posttests, students' artifacts, and video recordings of the curriculum enactment, including students' creation of models of various phenomena. Results from this study were used to help develop a learning progression for the particle nature of matter.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationComputer-Supported Collaborative Learning Conference, CSCL
Pages75-81
Number of pages7
EditionPART 2
StatePublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Perspectives in the Learning Sciences: Cre8ing a Learning World - 8th International Conference for the Learning Sciences, ICLS 2008 - Utrecht, Netherlands
Duration: Jun 23 2008Jun 28 2008

Other

OtherInternational Perspectives in the Learning Sciences: Cre8ing a Learning World - 8th International Conference for the Learning Sciences, ICLS 2008
Country/TerritoryNetherlands
CityUtrecht
Period6/23/086/28/08

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Education

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