The analysis of content teaching materials: identification of potential for developing systems thinking skills in coordination chemistry

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the content of the coordination chemistry teaching materials used by lecturers in chemistry undergraduate students education program at one of Islamic University in Cirebon. It should has a potential for the development of students’ systems thinking skills. The data used in form of teaching materials compiled by a team of lecturers and digital textbooks that consist of complex coordination compound matter. This study uses the Model of Educational Reconstruction (MER) limited to only phase one namely content structure analysis. Then the qualitative content analysis (QCA) of the Mayring model has been applied. The first stage of MER content analysis is carried out namely clarifying the conception of the material from scientists. The result of the qualitative contents analysis of coordination chemistry teaching materials used by the lecturers meet the criteria of indicators to develop students’ system thinking skills. The structure of the contents of this teaching material showed that in each part of the key concepts represent the ability to identify, organize, map the concepts involved in coordination compound bonds and analyze, predict the structure of coordination compounds. It has been found that 88.89% of teaching material has potential to develop all indicator of student’s system thinking. The result showed that the content of coordination chemistry teaching materials has an influence in developing students’ systems thinking skills.