Abstract

This study aimed to determine and describe the conceptual understanding in chemical equilibrium among selected freshman students who were classified as surface and deep learners. Data were gathered utilizing study process questionnaire and conceptual understanding test. This study involved two intact classes of 58 engineering students enrolled in General Chemistry II and was conducted for three weeks. Using the study process questionnaire, students were classified as either surface or deep learners. After the lesson on chemical equilibrium, conceptual understanding test was given to the students. Students were then grouped into six based on their learning approaches and level of conceptual understanding. The findings of the study revealed that majority of the class (53%) are deep learners while 47% are surface learners. Using t-test analysis, surface and deep learners differ in the scores they obtained on concepts about factors affecting equilibrium. Chi square test of independence also showed that surface and deep learners significantly differ from each other in terms of their level of conceptual understanding on factors affecting equilibrium concepts. The results of t-test and chi-square test revealed that there could be times that differences between surface and deep learners could only be seen when tested across different concepts within a certain topic.

Authors and Affiliations