A Cross-Age Study on the Understanding of Heat and Temperature

Journal Title: Eurasian Journal of Physics and Chemistry Education (EJPCE) - Year 2010, Vol 2, Issue 1

Abstract

The aims of this study were considered below under three headings. At these headings; the first was to elicit misconceptions that students had on the terms heat and temperature. The second was to understand how students’ prior learning affected their misconceptions. The third was to determine if students were able to make a connection between their own knowledge and physics in everyday life. To achieve these aims, a paper and pencil test composed of 14 multiple-chosen questions was designed, but only five questions related to heat and temperature. The test was administered to 342 students from different grades that ranged from grade 6 with students aged 11-12 years to Grade 8 with students aged 14-15 years. For this research qualitative methods were used. As a result of the analyses undertaken, it was found that students’ misunderstanding about the heat and temperature influenced their knowledge about these terms. Moreover, it was found that students had difficulties making connections between their knowledge and life experiences. Therefore, it was concluded that although students’ conceptions and misconceptions were acquired and stored, they occurred without ostensible links between everyday life and school experiences. Furthermore, depending on the instruction students received and over time, it was deduced that their conceptual understanding showed a steady increase from Grade 6 to Grade 8, except in the case of Item 1.

Authors and Affiliations

Selahattin GÖNEN, Serhat KOCAKAYA

Keywords

Related Articles

Use of portfolios to correct alternative conceptions and enhance learning

Forty first-year primary school student teachers at a Teacher Training College in Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe, participated in an action research study, employing the science student portfolio, during February to July, 2...

A Cross-Age Study on the Understanding of Heat and Temperature

The aims of this study were considered below under three headings. At these headings; the first was to elicit misconceptions that students had on the terms heat and temperature. The second was to understand how students’...

A Cross-age Study on The Development of “Chemistry” Concept Through Different Grades: 7th, 9th And 11th Grades

In this study, the development of chemistry concept through 7th, 9th and 11th grades is determined and it is also searched that the development of chemistry concept is proportional to the historical development of it. Th...

Understanding Levels of Prospective Science Teachers on the Nature of Science

The aim of this study is to determine whether the understandings levels of prospective science teachers on the nature of science are dependent on differences in grade level and gender. This study utilizes VOSTS scale, wh...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP84969
  • DOI -
  • Views 159
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Selahattin GÖNEN, Serhat KOCAKAYA (2010). A Cross-Age Study on the Understanding of Heat and Temperature. Eurasian Journal of Physics and Chemistry Education (EJPCE), 2(1), 1-15. https://europub.co.uk./articles/-A-84969