Understanding the Rate of Acid Reactions: Comparison Between Pre-Service Teachers and Grade 10 Students

A two-tier multiple choice diagnostic instrument on the stoichiometry and rate of acid reactions was administered to 611 Grade 10 students and 171 pre-service teachers. The results showed that the Grade 10 students and preservice teachers held alternative conceptions related to the properties of dif...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Tan, Kim Chwee Daniel, Mocerino, Mauro, Treagust, David, Chandrasegaran, Arulsingam
Format: Journal Article
Published: The Royal Australian Chemical Institute 2012
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/13921
Description
Summary:A two-tier multiple choice diagnostic instrument on the stoichiometry and rate of acid reactions was administered to 611 Grade 10 students and 171 pre-service teachers. The results showed that the Grade 10 students and preservice teachers held alternative conceptions related to the properties of different acids affecting their rates of reaction, and the particles in the resulting mixtures at the end of the reactions. The study stresses the importance of identifying and clarifying the pre-service teachers' understanding of the concepts that they will teach as this may have consequences on their future students' learning of chemistry.