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  • © 2009

Multiple Representations in Chemical Education

  • Addresses to key aspect of chemical education
  • Reviews of evidence of student problems in learning
  • Discussion of chemistry curriculum
  • Includes case studies of successful teaching methods
  • Discusses innovative approaches to teaching

Part of the book series: Models and Modeling in Science Education (MMSE, volume 4)

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Table of contents (15 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-x
  2. Introduction: Macro, Submicro and Symbolic Representations and the Relationship Between Them: Key Models in Chemical Education

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
  3. The Challenges Faced in Teaching and Learning About the Representational Triplet

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 9-10
    2. Learning at the Sub-micro Level: Structural Representations

      • Bob Bucat, Mauro Mocerino
      Pages 11-29
    3. Micro–Macro Thinking in Chemical Education: Why and How to Escape

      • Berry van Berkel, Albert Pilot, Astrid M. W. Bulte
      Pages 31-54
    4. Learning at the Symbolic Level

      • Keith S. Taber
      Pages 75-105
  4. Improving Existing Pedagogy in Respect of the Triplet Relationship

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 107-108
    2. Linking the Macroscopic, Sub-microscopic and Symbolic Levels: The Case of Inorganic Qualitative Analysis

      • Kim Chwee Daniel Tan, Ngoh Khang Goh, Lian Sai Chia, David F. Treagust
      Pages 137-150
    3. Linking the Macroscopic and Sub-microscopic Levels: Diagrams

      • Bette Davidowitz, Gail Chittleborough
      Pages 169-191

About this book

Chemistry seeks to provide qualitative and quantitative explanations for the observed behaviour of elements and their compounds. Doing so involves making use of three types of representation: the macro (the empirical properties of substances); the sub-micro (the natures of the entities giving rise to those properties); and the symbolic (the number of entities involved in any changes that take place). Although understanding this triplet relationship is a key aspect of chemical education, there is considerable evidence that students find great difficulty in achieving mastery of the ideas involved. In bringing together the work of leading chemistry educators who are researching the triplet relationship at the secondary and university levels, the book discusses the learning involved, the problems that students encounter, and successful approaches to teaching. Based on the reported research, the editors argue for a coherent model for understanding the triplet relationship in chemical education.

Editors and Affiliations

  • 1 Croswell Cottages, Goose Lane, Mayford Woking, Surrey

    John K. Gilbert

  • 1 Croswell Cottages, Mayford, UK

    John K. Gilbert

  • Curtin University of Technology Science & Mathematics Education Centre, Perth, Australia

    David Treagust

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Multiple Representations in Chemical Education

  • Editors: John K. Gilbert, David Treagust

  • Series Title: Models and Modeling in Science Education

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8872-8

  • Publisher: Springer Dordrecht

  • eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, Education (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4020-8871-1Published: 09 March 2009

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-90-481-8013-4Published: 28 October 2010

  • eBook ISBN: 978-1-4020-8872-8Published: 28 February 2009

  • Series ISSN: 1871-2983

  • Series E-ISSN: 2213-2260

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: X, 367

  • Number of Illustrations: 58 b/w illustrations

  • Topics: Science Education

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access