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Dynamic Visualizations: Tools for Understanding the Particulate Nature of Matter

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Concepts of Matter in Science Education

Part of the book series: Innovations in Science Education and Technology ((ISET,volume 19))

Abstract

Various methods and tools have been used by chemistry instructors to help students visualize the particulate nature of matter. One such method is the use of dynamic computer visualizations to depict molecular structures and processes that occur at the particulate level. The impacts of various kinds of visualizations on students’ understanding of chemical phenomena have been studied by a number of investigators, and the implications of their findings can provide insight to chemical educators. This article reviews research on the effects of dynamic computer visualizations used in chemistry instruction, especially visualizations of the particulate level, and summarizes their implications for educators.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Secondary School Science and Mathematics Education, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Sevil Akaygun

  2. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA

    Loretta L. Jones

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  1. Sevil Akaygun
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  2. Loretta L. Jones
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Correspondence to Sevil Akaygun .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Greece, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, 451 10, Greece

    Georgios Tsaparlis

  2. , Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Morrissey Blvd 100, Boston, 02125, Massachusetts, USA

    Hannah Sevian

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Akaygun, S., Jones, L.L. (2013). Dynamic Visualizations: Tools for Understanding the Particulate Nature of Matter. In: Tsaparlis, G., Sevian, H. (eds) Concepts of Matter in Science Education. Innovations in Science Education and Technology, vol 19. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5914-5_13

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