Modes of Reasoning in Self-Initiated Study Groups in Chemistry

Autor/inn/en	Christian, Karen; Talanquer, Vicente
Titel	Modes of Reasoning in Self-Initiated Study Groups in Chemistry
Quelle	In: Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 13 (2012) 3, S.286-295 (10 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1756-1108
DOI	10.1039/C2RP20010D
Schlagwörter	Organic Chemistry; College Students; Problem Solving; Logical Thinking; Cognitive Processes; Group Discussion + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Organische Chemie; Collegestudent; Problemlösen; Cognitive process; Kognitiver Prozess; Gruppendiskussion
Abstract	Characterizing the modes of reasoning typically applied by students to solve different types of chemistry problems is of central importance for the design of instructional strategies that can better support their learning of specific content. Thus, the central goal of this study was to identify dominant modes of reasoning expressed by college chemistry students while working in self-initiated study groups. We were particularly interested in exploring potential relationships between modes of reasoning, content focus of group discussions, and levels of cognitive processing. Our study was based on the analysis of student conversations in 34 study sessions of 14 study groups involving over 100 students enrolled in the first semester of college organic chemistry. Our analysis indicated that most of the content-related conversations in the study could be categorized as involving at least one of four major reasoning modes: Model-based reasoning, case-based reasoning, rule-based reasoning, and symbol-based reasoning. In general, group talk was largely focused on issues of representation and structure which preferentially invoked rule-based reasoning; discussions about chemical reactions heavily relied on case-based reasoning. Overall, model-based reasoning was minimally applied. In general, over 70% of the content-related conversations corresponded to lower levels of cognitive processing. Rule-based thinking and case-based thinking were often based on students remembering and applying knowledge. Although model-based reasoning was used scarcely, it more frequently led to higher levels of cognitive processing. The results of our work provide insights into how to modify instruction to better support students' reasoning inside and outside the classroom. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Royal Society of Chemistry. Thomas Graham House, Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WF, UK. Tel: +44-1223 420066; Fax: +44-1223 423623; e-mail: cerp@rsc.org; Web site: http://www.rsc.org/cerp
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10