Worksheet-based material development and Application in computer-assisted chemistry Education

Abstract

This study aims to develop computer-assisted worksheet-based teaching materials on atoms and screening as challenging topics of chemistry for students and to determine the effects of these materials on students’ achievement. A group of 40 were administered an achievement test of 10 questions related to the topic of the study. The misconceptions and comprehension difficulties were determined through the results of the test. A teaching material, which consists of worksheets that aim to overcome the misconceptions and comprehension difficulties of students, was developed in computer media. With the help of the worksheets, students were aimed to understand major tendencies regarding atom. Screening was chosen as the main concept of the topic and a strategy was determined over the effects of screening on major tendencies in atoms. The worksheets enabled the examination of the effects of screening characteristic on nucleus and outer electrons. The previously constructed misconceptions of students were tried to be overcome. The screening characteristic, which is a quite abstract concept, was presented with drawings and visual presentations in the worksheets in order to facilitate students’ comprehension by creating a sample image in their minds. After the worksheets were studied and discussed in a computer environment, the achievement test on the topic was administered as the posttest. The difference between the pre and posttests was found to be significant favoring the posttest. Moreover, during the application of the worksheet-based material, students’ attitudes towards the utilization of computers were also assessed. The study was concluded with suggestions for teachers and students on the effective utilization of similar teaching materials in this field.