Understanding of Symmetry: Measuring the Contribution of Virtual and Concrete Models for Students with Different Spatial Abilities

Abstract

Virtual and concrete models have been of interest in chemistry teaching to improve students’ understanding of a three-dimensional representation of chemical concepts such as symmetry. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of using concrete and virtual models on students’ understanding of symmetry. Students’ understanding was also explored in light of their spatial ability. The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with 62 students as participants. Two different instruments, spatial ability and understanding of symmetry tests, were employed for data collection. Data analysis was performed using the Pearson product-moment correlation and two-way variance analysis test. The results showed the virtual model’s contribution to improving students’ understanding of symmetry is higher than that of the concrete model for both students with high spatial ability (HSA) and low spatial ability (LSA). Also, the better students’ spatial ability, the better their understanding of molecular symmetry.

Spatial Ability: Measuring Its Contribution to Symmetry Understanding

“…The topic is used to understand solid-state chemistry, crystallography, stereochemistry, and quantum chemistry. (Achuthan et al, 2018;Antonoglou et al, 2011;Cass et al, 2005;Fuchigami et al, 2016;Kang & Kim, 2021;Niece, 2019;Schiltz & Oliver-Hoyo, 2012;Thayban et al, 2020Thayban et al, , 2021. By knowing the symmetry operation, the polarity and chirality of a molecule can be predicted.…”

“…Second, manipulating representations of three-dimensional objects in space (Tuvi-Arad & Gorsky, 2007). These tasks can be done correctly if students have good spatial visualisation, spatial orientation, and spatial relations skills (Achuthan et al, 2018;Al-Balushi & Al-Hajri, 2014;Kang & Kim, 2021;Thayban et al, 2021;Tuvi-Arad & Gorsky, 2007). Spatial visualisation is the ability that allows one to correctly interpret a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional object's shape and orientation.…”

Multimedia vs concrete model: Review of studies employing the tools in chemistry teaching

“…Such studies have been published in many journals and international proceedings, including highly reputable journals such as science education, chemistry education research and practice and journal of chemical education. Thayban et al (2021) described the role of virtual and concrete models in symmetry teaching and revealed that the virtual model demonstrated a higher contribution than the concrete model. 2D representation influenced students' success in translating from one representation to another in organic chemistry courses (Olimpo et al, 2015).…”

3D Molecular Interactive Multimedia for Building Chemistry Students' Spatial Ability

“…An ability to understand the 3D structure of a molecule and mentally imagine its behaviour is known as spatial ability [15], [16]. Lohman [9] defines spatial ability as generating, storing, and manipulating abstract visual images.…”

“…3D molecular shape modelling can assist students in developing their spatial abilities [28]. Another study employing a 3D molecular model improved chemistry students' understanding of symmetry [15]. Modelling in chemistry has been applied in several areas, including chemical bonding, symmetry, stereochemistry, and other topics [16].…”