Chemistry : why the subject is difficult? / Abdulla Ikram

Abstract:
This article is a research study conducted with six students who is studying chemistry in tenth grade and with three chemistry teachers in three selected school of Noonu Atoll, Maldives. The study investigate common conceptual difficulties lower secondary students experience learning chemistry, why the difficulties arises, and ways in which teachers assist students to overcome these difficulties arise. A qualitative case study method was used to investigate the problem, which used in depth interview with students and teachers, questionnaire, lesson observation and documents related to teaching and learning as main data collection tools. The key finding of the study shows that students have difficulty in understanding many concepts of chemistry. The main problem lies in students' less ability to demonstrate a good understanding of very basic concepts of chemistry. The main causes for learning difficulty is associated with lack of resources for teaching chemistry and poor teaching and learning strategies. The implications of the findings of the study are explained in the framework of learning environment, which include schools, resources, teachers, and other educational stakeholders by highlighting the importance managing and organizing learning in an effective ways.

Keywords: Common conceptual difficulties, lower secondary students, learning environment.

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education, Open University Malaysia, Centre for Graduate Studies, 2014 Master's project (M.Edu.). Includes bibliographical references