From Symbols to Chemistry: Mapping Students' Ability to Work with Chemical Formulas and Their Understanding of Underlying Chemistry Concepts
2023
Abstract
This study focused on connections between students' ability to work with chemical equations and knowledge of relevant underlying concepts. Through a series of tests and tasks, it was tested how knowledge and skills in one area translate into others.
The results showed that even freshman university chemistry students did not achieve the expected results and had significant gaps in their understanding of fundamental chemical concepts. The tests including questions about students' knowledge of concerned concepts have not proven to be sufficient to differentiate student achievement reliably.
The results also showed that the sub-microscopic level of the phenomena addressed is problematic for students, who tend to cling to the symbolic.