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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2006  > June  >
Research: Science and Education
Chemical Education Research
Misconceptions about the Particulate Nature of Matter. Using Animations To Close the Gender Gap
Ellen J. Yezierski
Department of Chemistry, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 49401-9403

James P. Birk
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1604

Cover
June 2006
Vol. 83 No. 6
p. 954
Abstract
Conceptual understanding of the particulate nature of matter (PNM) has been shown to be critical for success in learning chemistry. In this study, a newly developed instrument called the Particulate Nature of Matter Assessment (ParNoMA) was used as a pretest and posttest to measure students' conceptual understanding of the PNM regarding phases of matter and phase changes. The capacity of animations of molecular-level water to remediate PNM misconceptions held by students from middle school through college was investigated and the results of male and female students were compared. The data indicate that molecular-level animations helped students to improve their scores on the ParNoMA. Pretest scores for male students were significantly higher than those for female students; the posttest scores for the students who viewed the animations were equivalent for males and females. Watching the animations seemed to improve the posttest scores of female students, closing the gender gap that existed prior to the intervention. Overall, the data suggest that viewing molecular-level animations improves student understanding, particularly for females.
Supplement
The Particulate Nature of Matter Assessment instrument is available.
*  Contents JCE2006p0954W.doc (Microsoft Word)
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*  Citation
 Yezierski, Ellen J.; Birk, James P. J. Chem. Educ. 2006 83 954.
*  Keywords
 Chemical Education Research; Constructivism; Curriculum; Elementary / Middle School Science; First-Year Undergraduate / General; Graduate Education / Research; High School / Introductory Chemistry; Learning Theories; Misconceptions / Discrepant Events; Multimedia-Based Learning; Testing / Assessment; Women in Chemistry
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 4/24/2006
4/26/2006
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