A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON STUDENT’ UNDERSTANDING AND MISCONCEPTIONS REGARDING THE LIVING CELL

Öz

This paper presents findings from a qualitative study that investigates students’ understanding and misconceptions regarding a living cell, its processes and structure. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews from 11 sixth-grade students (4 females and 7 males) attending two schools located in Izmir, Turkey. The data was thematically analyzed within the framework of sixth grade science curriculum. The results of this study revealed that students: (a) have problems to organize their prior knowledge; (b) cannot detach the differences about concepts related to cell and tissue, (c) suffer from recalling and remembering of some their knowledge; and d) explain the concepts better when the teachers used analogies and visual materials in their courses. The study also determined that students held eleven misconceptions regarding living cells. The paper concluded with the implications for teachers concerning teaching of living cell and tissue concept and removal of misconceptions.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• ,Living Cell,Tissue,Misconception,Prior Knowledge