A Study on Pupil's Conceptual Change about Electromagnetic Phenomena : Relationship Between Three Pupil's Factors and Conceptual Development

Abstract

This study dealt with the pupil's conceptual change about electromagnetic phenomena in the elementary school science. I made an attempt in this paper to understand and characterize the three factors related to the pupils which include experience of electromagnetic activity, attitude toward science lesson, and behavior in the science lesson. And I determined their relationship with the development of electromagnetic conception. The investigation determined 1,544 pupils' condition by using paper-and-pencil type questions in designed to clarify each factor's characteristics and its relationship with conceptual development. The findings of this study were as follows: (1) The pupils had generally experienced some electromagnetic activity at least once, but not experienced analytical ones that could make them understand how electrical appliances work. They thought that the electromagnetic phenomena were very interesting, but considered the science lesson difficult. They had generally shown inactive behavior in science lesson, especially in their self- expression activities. (2) The extent of the pupils' experience and attitude had significantly correlated with their conceptual development. But the extent of their active behavior in science lesson had not seemingly correlated with their conceptual development.