Learning of chemical reaction: The use of models in chemistry laboratory

Abstract

The aim of this research is to characterize and analyze the models developed by freshmen students, upon implementation of the experimental design «Chemical Reaction». This qualitative study shows that, with appropriate guidance, students are capable of generating models of the implied concepts in the three levels of representation: Symbolic, microscopic, and macroscopic. The results show that the use of models show the level of comprehension regarding the concepts involved in the experimental work. We recommend the progressive incorporation of models because undergraduate students must consolidate a large number of concepts and transit simultaneously in between the three representational levels in chemistry.