Skip to main content

Improving Understanding and Reducing Secondary School Students’ Misconceptions about Cell Division Using Animation-Based Instruction

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of animation-based instruction (AI) in improving understanding and reducing misconceptions about “meiosis” among secondary school students. For this purpose, 35 Form 4 students (equivalent to grade 10) from one secondary school participated in the study. Biology is a compulsory subject for this group of students, and meiosis is one of the important topics included in the biology syllabus. At the time of the research, the lessons on meiosis were taught using AI. Using a one-group pre-test–post-test design, the Meiosis Concept Test (MCT) was administered before and after the treatment. After the treatment, the general achievement in the MCT increased. An analysis of the achievement test has suggested that students have misconceptions about meiosis. The results of the pre-test and post-test showed that the AI is an effective tool to improve understanding and reducing misconceptions about meiosis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Akkus, H., Kadayiçi, H., & Atasoy, B. (2003). Effectiveness of instruction based on the constructivist approach on understanding chemical equilibrium concepts. Research in Science & Technological Education, 21(2), 209–227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Annetta, L. A., Minogue, J., Holmes, S. Y., & Cheng, M. T. (2009). Investigating the impact of video games on high school students’ engagement and learning about genetics. Computers & Education, 53(1), 74–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Assaraf, O. B. Z., & Orion, N. (2005). Development of system thinking skills in the context of earth system education. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 42(5), 518–560.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, C. R. (1995). The effective teaching of biology. New York, NY: Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cañas, A. J., & Novak, J. D. (2008). Concept mapping using C-map tools to enhance meaningful learning. In Knowledge cartography (pp. 25–46). London, UK: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cepni, S., Tas, E., & Kose, S. (2006). The effects of computer-assisted material on students’ cognitive levels, misconceptions and attitudes towards science. Computer Education, 46(2), 192–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chinnici, J. P., Yue, J. W., & Torres, K. M. (2004). Students as “human chromosomes” in role-playing mitosis and meiosis. The American Biology Teacher, 66(1), 36–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, D. C., & Mathis, P. M. (2000). Modeling mitosis and meiosis: a problem-solving activity. The American Biology Teacher, 62(3), 204–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cook, M. (2008). Students’ comprehension of science concepts depicted in textbook illustrations. Electronics Journal of Science Education, 12(1), 39–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Driver, R., Squires, A., Rushworth, P., & Wood-Robinson, V. (1994). Making sense of secondary science. New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eggen, P., & Kauchak, D. (2004). Educational psychology: windows, classrooms. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Falvo, D. (2008). Animations and simulations for teaching and learning molecular chemistry. International Journal of Technology in Teaching and Learning, 4(1), 68–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, B. W. (1997). Computer modeling for thinking about and controlling variable. School Science Review, 79(287), 87–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kibuka-Sebitosi, E. (2007). Understanding genetics and inheritance in rural schools. Journal of Biology Education, 41(2), 56–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kindfield, A. C. H. (1994). Understanding a basic biological process: Expert and novice model of meiosis. Journal of Science Education, 78(3), 255–283.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kose, S. (2008). Diagnosing student misconceptions: Using drawings as a research method. World Applied Science Journal, 3(2), 283–293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, J., Leach, J., & Robinson, C. W. (2000). Chromosomes: The missing link-young people understanding of mitosis, meiosis and fertilization. Journal of Biology Education, 34(4), 189–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, J., & Wood-Robinson, C. (2000). Genes, chromosomes, cell division and inheritance-do students see any relationship? International Journal of Science Education, 22(2), 177–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marbach-Ad, G., Rotbain, Y., & Stavy, R. (2008). Using computer animation and illustration activities to improve high school students’ achievement in molecular genetics. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 45(3), 273–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, R., Sexton, C., & Gerlovich, J. (2002). Teaching science for all children: Methods for constructing understanding. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, R. E., & Anderson, R. B. (1991). Animations need narrations: An experimental test of a dual-coding hypothesis. Journal of Educational Psychology, 83(4), 484–490.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKinley, M. P., & O’loughlin, V. D. (2006). Human anatomy. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mintz, R. (1993). Computerized simulation as an inquiry tool. School Science and Mathematics, 93(2), 76–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mokros, J. R., & Tinker, R. F. (1987). The impact of microcomputer-based labs on children’s ability to interpret graphs. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 24(4), 369–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Musa, D. (2010). Misconception of cell division held by student teachers in biology: A drawing analysis. Scientific Research and Essay, 5(2), 235–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyachwaya, J. M., Mohamed, A. R., Roehrig, G. H., Wood, N. B., Kern, A. L., & Schneider, J. L. (2011). The development of an open-ended drawing tool: An alternative diagnostic tool for assessing students’ understanding of the particulate nature of matter. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 12(2), 121–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Day, D. H. (2008). Using animation to teach biology: Past & future research on the attributes that underlie pedagogical sound animations. The American Biology Teacher, 70(5), 274–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Özmen, H. (2008). The influence of computer-assisted instruction on students’ conceptual understanding of chemical bonding and attitude toward chemistry: A case for Turkey. Computers & Education, 51(1), 423–438.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Öztap, H., Özay, E., & Öztap, F. (2003). Teaching cell division to secondary school students: An investigation of difficulties experienced by Turkish teachers: Case studies. Journal of Biological Education, 38(1), 13–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plomp, T., & Voogt, J. (1995). Use of computers. In B. Fraser & H. J. Walberg (Eds.), Improving science education (pp. 68–80). Illinois: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rennie, L. J., & Jarvis, T. (1995). English and Australian Children’s perceptions about technology. Research in Science Technology Education, 13(1), 37–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riemeier, T., & Gropengießer, H. (2008). On the roots of difficulties in learning about cell division: Process-based analysis of students’ conceptual development in teaching experiments. International Journal of Science Education, 30(7), 923–939.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Satendra, S., Savita, S., & Shikha, G. (2009). Teaching styles and approaches: Medical students’ perception of animation-based lectures as a pedagogical innovation. Journal of Physiology, 5(1), 16–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherz, Z., & Oren, M. (2006). How to change students’ images of science and technology. Science Education, 90(6), 965–985.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, M. (1991). Teaching cell division: Student difficulties and teaching recommendations. Journal of College Science Teaching, 21(1), 28–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, H. J., Higgins, S., Wall, K., & Miller, J. (2005). Interactive whiteboards: Boon or bandwagon? A critical review of the literature. Journal of Computer Assisted learning, 21(2), 91–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stith, B. (2004). Use of animation in teaching cell biology. Cell Biology Education, 3(3), 181–188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tekkaya, C. (2003). Remediating high school students’ misconception concerning diffusion and osmosis through concept mapping and conceptual change text. Research in Science & Technological Education, 21(1), 217–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Treagust, D. F., Tyson, L., & Bucat, R. (1999). The complexity of teaching and learning chemical equilibrium. Journal of Chemical Education, 76(4), 554–558.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wall, K., Higgins, S., & Smith, H. (2005). ‘The visual helps me understand the complicated things’: Pupil views of teaching and learning with interactive whiteboards. British Journal of Educational Technology, 36(5), 851–867.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, J. D., & Mintzes, J. J. (1990). The concept map as a research tool: Exploring conceptual change in biology. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 27(10), 1033–1052.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, R., & Gunstone, R. F. (2000). Probing understanding. London, UK: Falmer Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood-Robinson, C., Lewis, J., & Leach, J. (2000). Young people’s understanding of the nature of genetic information in the cells of an organism. Journal of Biological Education, 35(1), 29–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, K.T., & Wang, T. H. (2012). Interactive whiteboard: Effective interactive teaching strategy designs for Biology teaching. In A. Silva, E. Pontes, A. Guelfi, & S. Takeo Kofuji (Eds.), e-Learning—Engineering, on-job training and interactive teaching (pp. 139–156). Croatia: InTech.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yesilyurt, S., & Kara, Y. (2007). The effects of tutorial and edutainment software programs on students’ achievement, misconceptions and attitudes towards biology on the cell division issue. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 6(2), 5–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yip, D. Y. (1998). Identification of misconceptions in novice biology teachers and remedial strategies for improving biology learning. International Journal of Science Education, 20(4), 461–477.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ilavarasi Kalimuthu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Kalimuthu, I. (2017). Improving Understanding and Reducing Secondary School Students’ Misconceptions about Cell Division Using Animation-Based Instruction. In: Karpudewan, M., Md Zain, A., Chandrasegaran, A. (eds) Overcoming Students' Misconceptions in Science. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3437-4_15

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3437-4_15

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-3435-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-3437-4

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics