Abstract:
This study sought to find out undergraduate first year chemistry students’ ability
to draw and name the structural formula of cyclic hydrocarbons using the
molecular models. The study adopted a case study design which used action
research approach. A sample size of 103 respondents participated in the study.
Purposive sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The instruments
used for data collection were exercises, tests and questionnaires. This was
supplemented with observation. The study revealed that first year chemistry
education students had not developed appropriate conceptual understanding in
drawing and naming organic structures of monocyclic, spiro and bicyclic
compounds. A number of their difficulties were revealed in the pre-test with mean
8.88 and the standard deviation 4.05. In the study, students understanding in
drawing and naming of organic structures of monocyclic, spiro and bicyclic
compounds was improved through the use of organic molecular models. The post test with mean 17.47 and standard deviation 3.67 results indicated that students
performed better after the intervention was implemented. This suggests that the
molecular model is an effective tool for teaching nomenclature of organic
compounds. This explains why there was a statistical significant difference
between the pre-intervention test and post-intervention test results of students.
Based on the findings of the study some recommendations were made.
Suggestions were made for further studies to be conducted using computer
animations instead of the molecular models.
Description:
A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE EDUCATION, FACULTY OF
SCIENCE EDUCATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE
STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA, IN PARTIAL
FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF
MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY (SCIENCE EDUCATION) DEGREE
University of Education, Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh
ii
2018