Many researchers have investigated the effects of students' prior knowledge upon learning chemistry, for example, the tenacity of alternative conceptions. Knowledge about learning also shapes students' learning of chemistry. This research describes the development of CHEMX, a survey instrument that measures an aspect of knowledge about learning known as cognitive expectations. Evidence for both the reliability and validity of CHEMX is presented. Data from undergraduate chemistry students is presented. Results include changes in expectations from first-year students to seniors, comparisons between majors and nonmajors, and a profile of faculty expectations in comparison to students' expectations.
Supplement
A discussion regarding the power analyses mentioned in the paper, an additional data table, and the CHEMX instrument are available.
Our Secondary School editors work hard to distill all the JCE materials to produce a fraction of particular interest to high school teachers. We call it CLIC.
In recent years we have worked hard to better match our advertisers with our readers. When shopping for chemistry education materials, visit our advertisers' WWW sites first.
Take JCE along on your outreach missions. Copies of the Journal, guest access to JCE Online, our publications catalog, and more are available for your participants.