Análise do Entendimento Conceitual em uma Sequência Didática sobre o Uso de Pesticidas Fundamentada na Modelagem Analógica

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate how the experience of a didactic sequence centered on a socio-scientific issue about the use of pesticides and based on analogical modelling process influenced the students’ understanding about the concept of dispersion. The research was conducted in a third-year, high school Chemistry class of a public school of Itabirito, Minas Gerais. The classes in which the didactic sequence was developed were recorded on audio and video and data from a group of four students were examined in a case study. In our analysis, we identified some factors that were essential to the students’ understanding about the concept of dispersion: the collaborative nature of the activities and of the group; the questions of the teacher/researchers; and the use of models and analogies as tools of thought. These factors justify the importance of Analogical Modelling in science education to develop understandings in the conceptual, procedural and attitudinal dimensions, although our focus in this work was on the first one.