ERIC Number: EJ1268313
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Sep
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2077-2327
EISSN: N/A
An Analysis of the Visual Representation of Redox Reactions and Related Content in Brazilian Secondary School Chemistry Textbooks
Goes, Luciane Fernandes; Chen, Xiaoge; Nogueira, Keysy Solange Costa; Fernandez, Carmen; Eilks, Ingo
Science Education International, v31 n3 p313-324 Sep 2020
The objective of this study was to analyze visual representations of redox reactions and related content in four Brazilian secondary school chemistry textbooks. The study aimed to identify which representations were used and to evaluate how these representations were linked to one another and to the main text. Data were analyzed regarding representational levels and the degree of relatedness between the different levels and the main text. Further analysis focused on the intended function of images and which curriculum orientation they indicated. The sample was comprised of 286 visual representations. The results showed that most of the visual representations merely served a decorative function and were not explicitly used to further understanding of the content in the main text. The findings indicated that the textbooks in this sample prioritized two separate levels of representation: The macroscopic and the symbolic. Only a few submicroscopic and multilevel representations could be found. The textbook illustrations indicated a strong "structure of the discipline" orientation of the curriculum, which was illustrated with orientations taken from everyday life, technology, and industry. It emphasizes the importance of using illustrations in textbooks, because of its influence on the construction of concepts, in particular the concept of redox reactions. Based on this research, it is possible for chemistry teachers to observe the limitation of these materials and carefully select the textbook used in their curricula. Moreover, the results can contribute to improving the quality of textbooks.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Science Instruction, Secondary School Science, Textbooks, Textbook Content, Chemistry, Scientific Concepts, Visual Aids
International Council of Associations for Science Education. Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Education, Buca, Izmir 35150, Turkey. Tel: +90-532-4267927; Fax: +90-232-4204895; Web site: http://www.icaseonline.net/seiweb/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Brazil
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A