CONCEPTUAL CHANGE ACTIVITIES ALLEVIATING MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

Abstract

This study contributes to a growing literature that investigates vocational students’ conceptual understanding of electricity by proposing a multidimensional and pragmatic approach to conceptual change. Conceptual change model-based activities were designed in a six-stage conceptual change model and were incorporated into a four-week course. The effectiveness of these activities was measured in terms of changing these students’ misconceptions about simple electric circuits towards scientifically accepted ideas in terms of their revolutionary versus evolutionary nature and the extent of transfer of learning. Transformative mixed methods research design was used consisting mainly of a one-group pre-test post-test design with DIRECT Test 1.2 as a research instrument. Paired samples t-test analysis for 15 students’ test scores indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between students’ pre- and post-test scores. The results of the frequency analysis in both pre- and post-tests show a significant percentage drop in the number of students having the identified misconceptions. The majority of students during post pre-test interviews justified their answers incorrectly, but more than 80% answered correctly in the post post-test interview. Key words: conceptual change, conceptual change model, electric circuits, misconceptions, vocational education.