Prospective elementary school teachers' understanding of the particulate nature of matter
by Miller, Larry S., Ph.D., PURDUE UNIVERSITY, 2008, 215 pages; 3330553

Abstract:

The particulate nature of matter (PNM) is fundamental to understanding modern chemistry, and new national standards require that elementary students learn some of these ideas. However, research has shown elementary teachers are not comfortable teaching PNM. A conceptual change approach was applied to a chemistry course designed specifically for elementary education majors. A chemistry concept inventory, individual interviews, and surveys were used to conduct a three-year investigation of students' understanding of PNM and to investigate any changes in their understanding during the course. This study presents students' initial and final concepts of PNM and the conceptual changes that occurred during the course. Educational implications for promoting conceptual change that chemistry departments can take to prepare elementary teachers to become successful science teachers are also addressed.
 
AdviserMary B. Nakhleh
SchoolPURDUE UNIVERSITY
SourceDAI/A 69-10, p. , Dec 2008
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsTeacher education; Science education
Publication Number3330553
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3330553
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.