ANALYSIS OF ANALOGIES USED IN SOLVING STUDENTS’ MISCONCEPTIONS IN SOME SELECTED SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEXTBOOKS IN NIGERIA
OOgunlakin Grace Odunayo
The importance of the use of analogies in fostering better understanding of abstract
scientific concepts cannot be over-emphasized in the field of science education. Textbooks like every other instructional material occupy a significant place in the teaching-learning process. This study was carried out to identify and analyze analogies used in solving students’ misconceptions related to organic chemistry in some selected textbooks used in Nigerian secondary schools. In this study, five selected Chemistry textbooks were examined using descriptive analysis method to determine the types of analogies used in the textbooks. Analogies identified were classified in line with a classification scheme that was modified by Olayemi (2021). Criteria such as Presentation format, Nature of Shared Attributes, Position of analogue to the target, Abstraction, Level of enrichment, Use of the term analogy and Limitation were examined. The selected analogies in the textbooks were taken to the researcher’s supervisor for scrutiny and approval. The pro forma developed were given to experts in the field of science education and physical science (two chemistry lecturers and one chemistry teacher) to determine the relevance and appropriateness. Four research
questions were raised and answered. Data gathered were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and bar chart to show the degree of relevance and appropriateness of the identified analogies by the raters. Based on the analysis, a total number of 117 analogies related to organic chemistry concept were identified in the five Chemistry textbooks.
Relevant because Nigerian students often struggle with science misconceptions. Encourages textbook authors to use locally grounded analogies for chemistry teaching
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ANALYSIS OF ANALOGIES USED IN SOLVING STUDENTS’ MISCONCEPTIONS IN SOME SELECTED SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEXTBOOKS IN NIGERIA