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TITLE OF THE E-LESSON E-learning from Nature: Using the concept of gaseous exchange in plants to trigger understanding of the particulate nature of matter.
INTRODUCTORY TEXT TO THE LESSON This lesson describes how one could bring the survey of plants to the construction of models of plant anatomy.
The pathway of learning is outlined:
- the use of models,
- the teaching and learning context: the focus of the lesson was Gaseous Exchange.
- the cognitive difficulty.
- teaching interventions to improve the student learning.
Models of roots and leaves of plants were built. Models of stomata were also constructed as a means of looking at gaseous exchange. The level of representation was molecular and included the use of symbols. Some examples of how the students visualised air at the molecular level are shown.
An intervention 'Triplet' attempted to correct misconceptions of the nature of matter. This triplet revolves around:
- the descriptive or macro level
- the sub-microscopic representation or micro level
- symbolisms at the representationla level.
The aim of the intervention is to move from discrete representations to interconnected chemical represntations and eventually to relational understanding.
Modelling using molymods and the use of a drawing package Chemsense is demonstrated. The limitations of the intervention are discussed but observation of enhanced concrete understanding is evident.
