A1 Journal article (refereed)
Finnish Secondary Students’ Mental Models of Magnetism (2020)
Kähkönen, A.-L., Sederberg, D., Viiri, J., Lindell, A., & Bryan, L. (2020). Finnish Secondary Students’ Mental Models of Magnetism. NorDiNa, 16(1), 101-120. https://doi.org/10.5617/nordina.5566
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Kähkönen, Anna-Leena; Sederberg, David; Viiri, Jouni; Lindell, Anssi; Bryan, Lynn
Journal or series: NorDiNa
ISSN: 1504-4556
eISSN: 1894-1257
Publication year: 2020
Volume: 16
Issue number: 1
Pages range: 101-120
Publisher: Nasjonalt senter for naturfag i opplæringen
Publication country: Norway
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5617/nordina.5566
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/68243
Abstract
We examined Finnish lower secondary students’ mental models of magnetism through their drawings, written explanations and interviews. Secondary students in Finland (N=12) engaged in six lessons designed specifically to target three key concepts in understanding magnetism: structure and organization (magnetic domains), magnetic fields and magnetic interactions. We describe how, with a finite number of key concepts introduced, students reflected upon and revised their mental models of magnetism and magnetic interactions towards more sophisticated and normative scientific views. We found two new categories of students’ models: the pole model and pole/field model. The critical moments in evolving the models happened during the investigations regarding understanding magnetic fields and magnetic internal structure. This article gives an example for teachers and researchers of how to follow students’ development of mental models in science.
Keywords: upper comprehensive school pupils; scientific thought; conceptions; mental pictures; physical phenomena; magnetism
Free keywords: lower secondary students; mental models of magnetism
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2020
JUFO rating: 1
