An analysis of prospective chemistry teachers’ cognitive structures through flow map method: The subject of oxidation and reduction

In order for meaningful learning to occur, it is important that students understand the basic concepts of a subject, set up the right associations between concepts, and develop cognitive structures coherent with one another. Because a student’s current cognitive structure is important in forming new learning, especially in the process of meaningful learning, it is necessary to check whether or not the current cognitive structure is meaningful and consistent, and to determine misconceptions, if there are any. Here, chemistry educators and teachers need to place emphasis on the main points of a subject while teaching it and to help students to establish associations between concepts, and organise the teaching in this way. Besides, it is important for chemistry educators and teachers to know that traditional pen-and-paper tests are insufficient for evaluating cognitive structures related to a given topic, and that diverse methods and techniques of evaluation need to be employed. Other measurement methods and techniques, along with flow maps—the best way to reveal cognitive structures and to determine partial understanding and knowledge insufficiencies—may be included in later research studies. Also interviews should be conducted with students to examine their cognitive structures in detail.