Conceptual Change With Refutational Maps

• In Event: Conceptual Change and Beliefs

Abstract

Refutational maps are diagrams that explicitly present correct conceptions and commonly held misconceptions. 120 participants were randomly assigned to three groups: a refutational map group, a refutational text group and a non-refutational text group. A posttest assessed participants’ free recall and transfer performance. The refutational map group outperformed the other groups on the free recall test. On an essay-type transfer test, the refutational map group outperformed the non-refutational text group but did not differ significantly from the refutational text group. The research also found that need for cognition and logical thinking predicted the learning outcomes, and students with lower logical thinking ability benefited more from the refutational map. These findings have instructional implications for incorporating cognitive tools in science classrooms.

Authors

• Qing Liu, Simon Fraser University

• John Cale Nesbit, Simon Fraser University