Misconceptions in chemistry education: Compounds

The purpose of this study is to determine possible misconceptions in 9th grade compounds lesson and to correctly construct the conceptions using computer based material designed in accordance to 5E learning model based on constructivist learning theory. Also the efficiency of the computer aided material designed in accordance to 5E learning theory and the change in students? attitude towards chemistry classes is analyzed.Since this research is a quasi-experimental study, there is no selection of universe and samples and there is a study group. This study group consists of the 9th grade students studying in a chosen high school in Izmir. The study was conducted a total of 60 students in the selected high school with two classes, one being the experiment, other being the control group. In the control group, the teaching of compounds lesson was done according to the program requirements, and in the experiment group it was done using the computer aided material designed in accordance to 5E learning model of constructivist teaching theory.In the research, firstly with a literature scan was made related to concepts existent in compounds unit in order to determine the misconceptions of the students. In the second phase, the determined misconceptions were taken into account and a two-tier conception comprehension test was developed. Two-tier conception comprehension test, open-ended questions, students? opinions about the material, scale for attitude towards chemistry and semi-structured interviews were used as data collecting tools.Quantitative data was analyzed using a statistical package program (SPSS) and qualitative data was analyzed using a content analysis. According to ANCOVA results of the data, it was found to be a significant difference between the experimental and control groups students in favor of the experimental group. In the analysis of the experiment and control groups regarding the students? attitude towards chemistry, statistical tests showed a significant difference.In the result of the statistical analysis conducted between the groups there was a significant difference to the post-tests. The material prepared as a result of the study was found to be effective in overcoming misconceptions and providing conceptual change. Students? opinions were gathered using the material evaluation form and it showed that students did not find it difficult to understand the activities in the material and they thought the organization of the program was very much good.