Cognitive Predictors of 2-D and 3-D Molecular Model Comparison in an Authentic Organic Chemistry Task

• In Event: Application of Innovative Learning Technologies Within STEM Instruction

Abstract

This study explores how effectively a diverse group of 78 community college students compared 2D vs. 3D models of molecules. While participants did not perform very well on either the 2D or the 3D task, they spent more time comparing 3D models of molecules. Response times in both the 2D task and 3D task were predicted strongly by their response time on the mental rotation test. Surprisingly, the two “Language” measures in the NIH Toolbox Cognition battery were most strongly positively correlated with participants’ visuospatial performance. Implications include (a) recognizing the role of language abilities in visuo-spatial processing tasks like the one used here; and (b) acknowledging that novices process 3D models of molecules less efficiently than 2D molecular representations.

Authors

• Pasha Antonenko, University of Florida

• Matthew H. Schneps, University of Massachusetts - Boston

• Richard Lamb, Washington State University - Pullman

• Andreas Keil, University of Florida

• Marc Pomplun, University of Massachusetts - Boston

• Kara M. Dawson, University of Florida

• Carole R. Beal, University of Florida

• Do Hyong Koh, University of Massachusetts - Boston

• Kendra Saunders, University of Florida

• Stephen Albert Miller, University of Florida

• Jiahui Wang, Kent State University

• Andrea Burgess, University of Florida

• Li Cheng, University of Florida

• Zhen Xu, University of Florida

• Jingwei Li, University of Florida

• Cheryl D. Calhoun, Santa Fe College

• Kimberly Stieglitz, Roxbury Community College

• Kaitlynne Hardy-Pieczarka, Roxbury Community College

• Albert Osa Okundaye