Smartchem: An Android Application for Learning Multiple Representations of Acid-Base Chemistry

Abstract

An android application named SmartChem was developed to explain multiple representations of acid-base chemistry. This paper is a description of an android-based media (SmartChem) through the stages of design, development, validation and revision, and finally, limited trials with pre-service science teachers. SmartChem is intended to aid students in understanding through media explanations of symbolic, macroscopic, and submicroscopic representations of acid-base material. The validity of the tool was assessed through the ratings of a panel of five expert judges using Aiken’s validity index (Aiken’s V). The results show that some parts of the SmartChem media needed to be revised, especially in linking submicroscopic level content with symbolism. From the trials of this application with trainee teachers, help in understanding multiple chemical representations of acids and bases was demonstrated; however, the low achievement group was more concerned with technical features, while the higher achieving group appreciated the content and learning experience.

The effect of using smart e-learning app on the academic achievement of eighth-grade students

“…Smart technologies also encourage teachers to adopt effective teaching strategies such as the flipped classroom strategy (Ramadan, 2019), augmented reality technologies (Chen & Liu, 2020), WebQuest strategy (Harahsheh, 2019), and computerized thinking maps strategies (Shana, 2017). These applications are developed using the Android operating system (Eliyawati et al, 2020) . Technology improves students' cognitive skills, self-regulation abilities, and animation development (Demir et al, 2018), helping them to develop healthy habits (Alnaabi, 2021) for knowledge retention(Al-Jeriwi, 2020).…”

“…Other studies have focused on developing operating systems that are efficient and effective for digital education. Eliyawati et al (2020) developed an Android application and demonstrated its effectiveness in explaining the various representations of acid-base chemistry. The results show that learning applications should be customized according to students' learning capabilities (e.g., artistic traits versus content and learning experience).…”

“ChemFUN” Android Application to Explore Students’ Understanding of Chemical Representation on Matter Topic

“…Chemistry is an applied science and a professional language used to explain complex natural processes via the interaction of representations, from chemical names, equations, formulae, and pictures (Markic & Childs, 2016). In addition, chemistry is a science-rich in notions and chemical phenomena, varying from the simple to the complex and concrete to the abstract (Eliyawati et al, 2020). Each chemical phenomenon has three levels of representation: macroscopic, microscopic, and symbolic (Gkitzia et al, 2011).…”

“…Saputra, Gürbüz, & Haryani (2021) also researched the development of Android-based animation for chemical elements and experiments. Another research was conducted by Eliyawati, Agustin, Sya'bandari, & Putri (2020). They develop "Smartchem" as an android application for learning multiple representations of the acid-base topic.…”

The Effectiveness of Contextual Research-Based Teaching Materials on Students’ Learning Independence and Concept Mastery

“…Previous studies on learning acid-base solutions were carried out using the scientific literacy approach (El Islami et al, 2016), learning cycle 5E (Cetin & Geban, 2017), STEAM (Apriliana et al, 2018), discovery learning (Setiadi & Zainul, 2019) and problem-solving (Rasmawan, 2020). As for making teaching materials on the concept of existing acid-base properties, using Microsoft PowerPoint (Kazanidis & Valsamidis, 2019), virtual lab (Muchson et al, 2018), e-module (Setiadi & Zainul, 2019), Microsoft Sway (Harefa et al, 2019), to the android application (Eliyawati et al, 2020). Research on independent learning shows students who have clear learning goals, self-confidence, learning without helps of others, and a positive correlation with academic success in distance learning (Pardo et al, 2017;Rodiah et al, 2020).…”