THE IMPACT OF PHYSICAL MOLECULAR MODELS ON STUDENTS&#039; VISUO-SEMIOTIC REASONING SKILLS RELATED TO THE LEWIS STRUCTURE AND BALL &amp; STICK MODEL OF AMMONIA

Thobile Nkosi; Lindelani Mnguni

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THE IMPACT OF PHYSICAL MOLECULAR MODELS ON STUDENTS' VISUO-SEMIOTIC REASONING SKILLS RELATED TO THE LEWIS STRUCTURE AND BALL & STICK MODEL OF AMMONIA

Title	THE IMPACT OF PHYSICAL MOLECULAR MODELS ON STUDENTS' VISUO-SEMIOTIC REASONING SKILLS RELATED TO THE LEWIS STRUCTURE AND BALL & STICK MODEL OF AMMONIA
Publication Type	Journal Article
Year of Publication	2020
Authors	Nkosi, T, Mnguni, L
Journal	Journal of Baltic Science Education
Volume	19
Issue	4
Start Page	594-604
Pagination	Continuous
Date Published	August/2020
Type of Article	Original article
ISSN	1648-3898
Other Numbers	E-ISSN 2538-7138
Keywords	ball & stick models, Lewis structures, physical models, visuo-semiotic reasoning
Abstract	Visuo-semiotic models, such as Lewis structures and ball & stick models, are widely used to enhance students’ learning. However, there is limited research about the impact of these models on specific visuo-semiotic reasoning skills. In the current research, we aimed to determine the extent to which physical molecular models could enhance specific visuo-semiotic reasoning skills among students. The research question that we explored was, “what is the impact of physical molecular models on Grade 11 students’ visuo-semiotic reasoning skills related to Lewis structures and ball & stick models of ammonia?” In this mixed-methods research, we collected data from purposively selected Grade 11 chemistry students aged between 15 and 18 from an under-resourced school in South Africa. Through a quasi-experimental design, participants in the experimental group (n = 101) used physical molecular models to learn about Lewis structure and ball & stick models of ammonia while participants in the control group (n = 100) did not. We subsequently tested students' visuo-semiotic reasoning skills. Results show that using physical molecular models significantly improved students' visuo-semiotic reasoning skills and reduced associated learning difficulties. We, therefore, recommend that these models should be used as an instructional tool to enhance learning.
URL	http://oaji.net/articles/2020/987-1597214439.pdf
DOI	10.33225/jbse/20.19.594
Refereed Designation	Refereed
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