Resumen

FARRE, Andrea S.; ZUGBI, Santiago  y  LORENZO, M. Gabriela. The meaning of chemical formulas for college students: Chemistry languaje as a tool for constructing knowledge. Educ. quím [online]. 2014, vol.25, n.1, pp.14-20. ISSN 0187-893X.

In this work we decided to investigate the impact of the chemical language in previous knowledge of a central theme of organic chemistry, structure and reactivity of benzene. We designed a task with open and closed questions to study different aspects of this theme. Students spontaneously turned to formulas for answering open questions, so it evidenced its use as a cognitive amplifier. It was also found that symbolic level conditioned submicroscopic interpretation. However, formulas did not become an instrument of thought given students' limitations in predicting reactivity. These results permit us to raise again the starting point for planning teaching and reflect on the importance of the chemical language appropriation when learning science.

Palabras llave : chemical language; organic chemistry; university; learning; chemical knowledge.

        · resumen en Español     · texto en Español     · Español ( pdf )