LE CONCEPT DE "REACTION CHIMIQUE" ET SES OBSTACLES
THE CONCEPT OF "CHEMICAL REACTION" AND THE CORRESPONDING OBSTACLES

Summary/Abstract: The Concept of "Chemical Reaction" and the Corresponding Obstacles. Research carried out throughout several years pointed out the poor awareness of the concept of chemical reaction by pupils in the first highschool grades. The correct understanding of this overall concept implies identifying the obstacles, by activating them in actual learning situations and ultimately actively overcoming them by becoming aware under the teachers’ guidance. This paper aims at sharing some results got in the process of activating the obstacle-ideas in terms of chemical reaction applied to 10th grades. In order to activate the obstacle-ideas we need to devise thorough complex teaching strategies able to guide the pupils firmly through compulsory sequences, but at the some time, allowing pupils to express themselves freely in group discussions or by answering the teacher’s questions. These questions are asked in order to centre the pupils’ reflexive thinking towards those areas of knowledge which according to our hypothesis can turn into obstacles. Becoming aware of the pupils’ obstacles teachers will be able to devise the most efficient and appropriate strategy, which should help the pupil all along the cognitive process of acquiring the overall concept of chemical reaction.

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