Ontological conceptual change: the use of texts as a tool to achieve it

Authors

  • María Cecilia Pocoví

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55767/2451.6007.v28.n2.15810

Keywords:

Conceptual change, Physics texts, Ontology, University level

Abstract

This paper presents a summary of previous research that has been carried out through time, at the National University of Salta,based on Chi´s Conceptual Change Theory (1992, 2008, 2012, 2014). According to this model, the learning of a concept will not be achieved unless the ontology of students' ideas matches the scientific concept's ontology. Within this approach, some research results that have been gathered through the use of texts whose common denominator is that of being rich in the ontological description of the target concept, are shown. Cases such as the learning of the electric field, lines of force, displacement current, and acceleration are presented. It is concluded that, as these ontology-rich texts favor comprehension, there are other characteristics of the texts that inhibit it and certain type of activities that promote it.

References

Alexander, P.A. y Kulikowich, J.M. (1994).Learning from a physics text: A synthesis of recent research. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 31(9),895-911.

Alexander, P.A. y Jetton, T.L. (2000). Learning from text: A multidimensional and developmental pers-pective. En Kamil, M. y otros (Eds.) Handbook of research of reading research. Vol III. NJ: LEA, Inc.

Alenxander, P. A. y Mayer, R. E. (2011). Introduction to research on instruction. En Mayer y Alexander, (Eds.) Handbook of research of learning and instruction. NY: Routledge.

Brown, A. L., Palincsar,A. S. y Armbruster, B. (2004). Instructing Comprehension-Fostering Activities in interactive learning situations. En Ruddell y Unrau, (Eds.), Theoretical models and processes of read-ing.Newark: International Reading Association.

Chi, M. T. H. (1992). Conceptual change within and across ontological categories: examples from learn-ing and discovery in science. En Giere, R. (Ed.) Minnesota studies in the philosophy of science Vol. XV. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press,.

Chi, M. T. H. (2005). Common sense conceptions of emergent processes: Why some misconceptions are robust. Journal of the Learning Sciences, 14,161-199.

Chi, M. H. T. (2008).Three types of conceptual change: belief revision, mental model transformation, and categorical shift. En Vosniadou, S. (Ed.), Handbook of research on conceptual change. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

Chi, M. T. H. (2013). Two kinds and four sub-types of misconceived knowledge, ways to change it, and the learning outcomes. En Vosniadou, S. (Ed.), International handbook of research on conceptual change (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge Press.

Chi, M. T. H., Slotta, J. D. and de Leeuw, N. (1994). From things to processes: A theory of conceptual change for learning science concepts. Learning and Instruction, 4,27-43.

Chi, M. T. H. y Roscoe, R.D. (2002). The processes and challenges of conceptual change. En Limon,M. y Mason,L. (Eds.), Reconsidering conceptual change: issues in theory and practice. The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Chi, M. H. T., Roscoe, R. D., Slotta, J. D., Roy, M., y Chase, C. C. (2012). Misconceived causal explana-tions for emergent processes. Cognitive Science,36(1),1-16.

Craig, S., Chi, M. T. H., y VanLehn, K. (2009). Improving classroom learning by collaboratively observ-ing human tutoring videos while problem solving. Journal of Educational Psychology, 101(4),779-789.

diSessa, A. A. (2006). A history of conceptual change research: Threads and fault lines. En Sawyer K. (Ed.),Cambridge handbook of the learning sciences. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Driver, R. (1986). Psicología cognitiva y Esquemas conceptuales de los alumnos. Enseñanza de las Cien-cias,4(1),3-15.

Faraday, M. (1851/1955). Experimental researches in electricity. En Maynard Hutchings (Ed.) Great books of the western world.London: EncyclopediaBritannica Inc. (Trabajo original publicado en 1851).

Giorgi, S., Concari, S., Pozzo, R. (2005).Un estudio sobre las estudiantes acerca de las ideas de los estu-diantes en fuerza y movimiento. Ciência & Educação, 11(1),83-95.

Holschuh, J. P. y Aultman, L. P. (2009). Comprehension development. En Flippo y Caverly, (Eds.), Handbook of college reading and study strategy research, (2° Ed.) NY: Routledge.

Jones, T.A. (1983). Investigation of students’ understanding of speed, velocity and acceleration. Research in Science Education,13,95-104.

Keil, F. (1979). Semantic and conceptual development: An ontological perspective. Cambrige, Mass: Harvard University Press.

Ledesma, L. y Pocoví, M. C. (2013).Ontología del concepto de aceleración: su comprensión mediante el aprendizaje a partir de textos. Latin American Journal of Physics Education, 7(1),68-78.

Ledesma, L. y Pocoví, M. C. (2015).Diferencias entre los procesos de aprendizaje de los alumnos con ideas iniciales de categorías ontológicas distintas. Actas de la X Jornadas de Ciencia y Tecnología de Facultades de Ingeniería del NOA. Mayo, 2014, Salta.

Mc Dermott, L. C. (1984). Research on Conceptual Understanding in Mechanics. Physics Today,24-32.

Nersessian, N. (1984). Faraday to Einstein: Constructing Meaning in Scientific Theories. Dordrecht: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.

Nist, S.L. y Simpson, M. (2000). College Studying. En Kamil, M. y otros (Eds.) Handbook of Reading Research.Vol. III. Mawwah, NJ: Lawrence Eribaum Associates.

Pocoví, M. C. (2000). Students´ideas about electric field after traditional instruction. Proceedings of the VII Interamerican Conference on Physics Education. Versión CD (s/n de página) Porto Alegre, Brasil, Julio 3-7.

Pocoví, M. C. (2004). Research on the effects of a history based curriculum on the students’ concepts of electric field and lines of force. Editorial: ProQuest Company. Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Pocoví, M. C. (2007). The effects of a history-based instructional material on the students’ understanding of field lines. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 4(1), 107-132.

Pocoví, M. C. y Finley, F. (2002).Lines of force: faraday’s and students’ views. Science and Education, 11(5), 459-474.

Pocoví, M. C. y Finley, F. (2003).Historical Evolution of the Field View and Textbook accounts. Science and Education,12(4), 387-396.

Pocoví, M. C. y Hoyos, E. (2011).Corriente de desplazamiento: su presentación en textos y su compren-sión por parte de los estudiantes, Revista de Enseñanza de las Ciencias, 29(2), 275-288.

Purcell, E. M. (1969).Electricidad y Magnetismo. (Carrera, M: P, traductor) España: editorial Reverté.

Reif, F. (2008). Applying cognitive science to education: Thinking and learning in scientific and other complex domains. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Reiner, M., Slotta, J. D., Chi, M. T. H. yResnick, L. B. (2000). Naive physics reasoning: a commitment to substance – based conceptions. Cognition and Instruction, 18(1),1-34.

Slotta, J. D. y Chi, M.T.H. (2006). The impact of ontology training on conceptual change: Helping stu-dents understand the challenging topics in science. Cognition and Instruction, 24(2),261-289.

Slotta, J. D., Chi, M. T. H. y Joram, E. (1995). Assessing students misclassifications of physics concepts: An ontological basis for conceptual change. Cognition and Instruction, 13,373-400.

Stanovich, K.E. (2004). Matthew effects in reading: some consequences of individual differences in the acquisition of literacy register. En Ruddell, R.B. y Unrau N. J. (Eds.) Theoretical Models and Processes of Reading.Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

Trowbridge, D.E. y Mc Dermott L. C. (1981).Investigation of Student Understanding of the Concept of Acceleration in One Dimension. American Journal of Physics, 48,242-253.

Published

2016-12-07

How to Cite

Pocoví, M. C. (2016). Ontological conceptual change: the use of texts as a tool to achieve it. Journal of Physics Teaching, 28(2), 27–37. https://doi.org/10.55767/2451.6007.v28.n2.15810