One of my publications is
Taber, K. S. (2003) Mediating mental models of metals: acknowledging the priority of the learner's prior learning, Science Education, 87, pp.732-758. DOI 10.1002/sce.10079
Download the author's manuscript version of the paper
Abstract:
This paper describes the conceptualizations, or mental models, of the nature of the bonding and structure of metals of a group of U.K. college students. It is suggested that these mental models may be understood in terms of the students' prior learning about covalent and ionic bonding, and the prevalence of a common alternative conceptual framework for chemical bonding labeled "the octet framework." This study illustrates the prominence of prior learning in channeling the interpretation of subsequent teaching, and highlights the significance of the decisions made by curriculum planners, textbook authors, and teachers on the order of presenting subject content, the degree of simplification of scientific models, and the selection and presentation of metaphors.
"It would seem good practice when sailing on the real sea to use charts to find out where your boat is located before dropping anchor. Similarly, it makes sense for a teacher to check the 'cartography' of a learner's cognition before dropping an Ausubelian anchor such as the 'sea of electrons' metaphor."
Content
Mediating mental models of metals: Acknowledging the priority of the learner's prior learning
- INTRODUCTION
- Find Out What Your Pupil Knows and Teach Accordingly – The Importance of Prior Learning
- SCIENTIFIC AND CURRICULUM MODELS OF METALLIC BONDING
- LEARNERS' IDEAS ABOUT METALLIC STRUCTURE AND BONDING
- THE RESEARCH CONTEXT: STUDYING LEARNING PATHWAYS
- DEVELOPING UNDERSTANDING OF CHEMICAL BONDING: A REVIEW OF FINDINGS FROM THE RESEARCH PROJECT
- THE OCTET FRAMEWORK
- THE MODE OF REPORTING OF LEARNERS' IDEAS IN THIS STUDY
- CHARACTERISING LEARNERS' CONCEPTUALISATIONS OF METALLIC BONDING
- There Is No Bonding in Metals
- There Is Some Form of Interaction in Metals, But Not Proper Bonding
- Metals Have Covalent Bonding
- Metals Have Bonding Similar to Covalent Bonding
- Metals Have Ionic Bonding
- Metals Have Bonding Similar to Ionic Bonding
- Metals Have Ionic and Covalent Bonding
- Metallic Bonding Occurs Only in Alloys
- Metals Literally Have a Sea of Electrons
- Metals Have Electrons Delocalised to Give Full Outer Shells
- Metals Have a Metaphorical "Sea of Electrons"
- DISCUSSION
- CONCLUSION – CONSEQUENCES FOR CURRICULUM PLANNING AND TEACHING
