Building mental models of a reaction mechanism: The influence of static and animated representations, prior knowledge, and spatial ability

Amanda Bongers, Berthorie Beauvoir, Nicholas Streja, Georg Northoff, Alison B. Flynn

研究成果: 雜誌貢獻文章同行評審

17 引文 斯高帕斯(Scopus)

摘要

In chemistry, novices and experts use mental models to simulate and reason about sub-microscopic processes. Animations are thus important tools for learning in chemistry to convey reaction dynamics and molecular motion. While there are many animations available and studies showing the benefit of learning from animations, there are also limitations to their design and effectiveness. Moreover, there are few experimental studies into learning chemistry from animations, especially organic reaction mechanisms. We conducted a mixed-methods study into how students learn and develop mental models of a reaction mechanism from animations. The study (N = 45) used a pre-/post-test experimental design and counterbalanced static and animated computerized learning activities (15 min each), plus short think-aloud interviews for some participants (n = 20). We developed the tests and learning activities in a pilot study; these contained versions of an epoxide opening reaction mechanism either as static (using the electron-pushing formalism) or animated representations. Participants' test accuracy, response times, and self-reported confidence were analyzed quantitatively (α = 0.05) and we found that, while participants showed a learning effect, there were no significant differences between the static and animated learning conditions. Participants' spatial abilities were correlated to their test accuracy and influenced their learning gains for both conditions. Qualitative framework analysis of think-aloud interviews revealed changes in participants' reasoning about the test questions, moving toward using rule- and case-based reasoning over model-based reasoning. This analysis also revealed that dynamic and transitional features were incorporated into participants' working mental models of the reaction mechanism after learning from animations. The divergence of participants' mental models for reasoning and visualization could suggest a gap in their mental model consolidation.

原文英語
頁(從 - 到)496-512
頁數17
期刊Chemistry Education Research and Practice
21
發行號2
DOIs
出版狀態已發佈 - 4月 1 2020
對外發佈

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • 化學(雜項)
  • 教育

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