Simulations in Chemistry for Conceptual Understanding and Assessment of Student Knowledge

Abstract

Simulations are dynamic resources that have been found useful for communicating abstract fundamental ideas such as stoichiometry and several other concepts. In this chapter the authors present their recent work on designing and implementing an interactive simulation called Combustion Lab based on reaction stoichiometry - a topic that has continually been a challenge for chemistry learners. Several researchers have reported persistent student misconceptions in stoichiometry. In order to address this challenge, a novel computer simulation was developed to assess student understandings of stoichiometry based on student problem solving performance, and also to promote student conceptual understanding. The Combustion lab was particularly focused on the stoichiometry of these reactions, problem solving, and the relevance of stoichiometry for its everyday applications. Results of this sequential exploratory study show that the simulation was effective in revealing student understanding and student treatment of stoichiometry problems based on analysis of various data collected.