Analysis of students' difficulties in chemical bonding based on computerized two-tier multiple choice (CTTMC) test

Abstract

Student learning difficulties occurred from two factors those are internal and external factors. To detect learning difficulties in student's one of them by using diagnostic tests. The aims of this study are to identify students' learning difficulties and map the student profile categories. The formative assessment post-test was administrated to 166 student's grade 11th using CTTMC instrument to find out their learning difficulties. The instrument contained 20 items computerized two-tier multiple-choice (CCTMC). The results showed that learning difficulties experienced by students in high, medium and low-grade schools were the metal bond, the molecular shape, and the covalent bond portion, while the easiest part of the chemical bond was the stability of electron, the Lewis structure, an ionic bond. One of the factors causes students' learning difficulties that chemistry contains three levels of understanding that are macroscopic, sub-microscopic and symbolic. Most Students find it difficult to connect the three. For the future research, students' learning difficulties can be used as for the teachers to know good steps in overcoming students' learning difficulties.