CHEMISTRY
DOSEN PENGAMPU MISKONSEPSI DALAM
Yuli Rahmawati, M.Sc, Ph.D. PEMBELAJARAN KIMIA
Dr. Afrizal, M.Si. Norbertus Krisnu P
Dr. Irwanto, M.Pd. 1311821001
MATA KULIAH : Miskonsepsi Dalam Pembelajaran Kimia
PRODI : S2 Pendidikan Kimia
DOSEN PENGAMPU : Yuli Rahmawati, M.Sc., Ph.D
Dr. Afrizal, M.Si.
Dr. Irwanto, M.Pd.
NAMA / NIM : Norbertus Krisnu P / 1311821001
DOI:10.1063/5.0045512
"The H+ from the ionization of HCl will later join the water molecule
(H2O) so that it will later produce H3O + and be able to donate
protons. So the one who donated the proton was H3O+."
Dilemma teaching pedagogy for students’ soft skills development in chemistry using dilemma
stories learning of polymer topic
AIP Conference Proceedings 2331, 040044 (2021); https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0041919
© 2021 Author(s).
An Analysis of Chemistry Student’s Laboratory Jargon in
Acid-Base Material Using a 3E Learning Cycle
Tritiyatma Hadinugrahaningsih1, a), Achmad Ridwan1, Yuli Rahmawati1, Edith
Allanas1, Gusti Cahya N1, and Risky Amalia1
1
Chemistry Education Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Jalan
Rawamangun Muka 13220, Jakarta, Indonesia.
a)
Corresponding author: tritiyatma@unj.ac.id
Abstract. This study aimed to analyze student’s laboratory jargon to help overcome misconceptions related to acid and
base concepts using a 3E learning cycle. Laboratory jargon is commonly used to explain a chemistry concept concisely and
clearly. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach with 36 students’ year 11 students at 107 senior high
school. Data was collected via an interview, observations, student worksheets, and a laboratory jargon instrument that
consisted of ten questions related to acid-base, atoms and molecules, the concept of water, and the concept of a
neutralization reaction. The results indicated that laboratory jargon can lead to students having misconceptions about acid
and base concepts. Students held misconceptions about protonation, the concept of amphoteric in water, neutralization, the
strength of acid-base, acid-base concentration, and acid-base indicators. The 3E learning cycle helped teachers explore
student's prior knowledge and follow up by addressing student's misconceptions through meaningful learning experiences.
Teachers engaged students in cognitive conflict to facilitate a conceptual change process. Students presented concepts to
be evaluated by the teacher in the final stage of the 3E cycle. The model helped the teacher to address the student’s
misconceptions and to help them come to a better conceptual understanding.
INTRODUCTION
Chemistry is a study of matter and its changes [1] that helps students understand what is happening around them
[2]. The study of chemical material is considered difficult because some abstract concepts are associated with chemical
representations that cover macroscopic, submicroscopic, and symbolic levels [3–5] that challenge making connections
to everyday life [6,7]. Further issues arise in the use of so-called laboratory jargon [5] to convey concepts briefly and
clearly but, in doing so, often creating misconceptions in the way it is delivered to explain microscopic events in
chemical materials such as acid-base [8].
In the learning process, students try to build their understanding of a concept[9] also known as a misconception.
Acid-base material [10–17] is one of many chemical concepts where student misconceptions are evident, an important
issue in chemistry because it is related to hydrolysis material, buffer solutions, and also organic chemistry [11,18].
The use of laboratory jargon impacts on students' misconceptions and conceptual understanding of chemistry.
Misconceptions can be identified and overcome by applying appropriate learning models to the chemistry classroom
[19].
A suitable learning model is the 3E Learning Cycle which has been used effectively with pre-service teachers [20].
The 3E Learning Cycle was developed based on a constructivist theory about how humans learn. The 3E model covers
the stages of exploration, explanation, and elaboration. Exploration is the stage where students work together to search
or form concepts. The explanation is where students explain the concepts they have formed in the previous stage.
Elaborate is the stage where students describe their thinking [21]. The research project was conducted using the 3E
learning model to analyze laboratory jargon and students' understanding of acid-base material.
040035-1
METHOD
The study was conducted using a qualitative approach with 36 students’ year 11 students at 107 senior high school.
This research used a qualitative case study approach with data gathered via interviews, observations, reflective student
reflective journals, and a Laboratory Jargon instrument in the form of 10 statements that the students responded. The
data obtained in this study were sourced from students, researchers, and two observers. Data analysis was carried out
by identifying each topic in the laboratory jargon tool and relating it to student understanding. The 3 stages of the
model are represented in Figure 1 below:
The 3E learning cycle has three stages is exploration, explanation, and elaboration. Exploration is the stage where
students work together to search or form concepts. The explanation is where students explain the concepts they have
formed in the previous stage. Elaborate is the stage where students describe their thinking [21]. The research project
was conducted using the 3E learning model to analyze laboratory jargon and students' understanding of acid-base
material.
Some students thought that the statement was correct, whilst others thought the statement was inappropriate.
Student 12 assumed that the number of compilers must be included in the statement as demonstrated below:
"Carbon dioxide does consist of Oxygen and Carbon, but still must include the amount of
Carbon and Oxygen, Carbon dioxide consists of 2 Carbon and 1 Oxygen. The statement above
does not include the number of its compilers so that it is not quite right”
Student 12
After learning with the 3E Learning Cycle, students were shown the following statement:
040035-2
Students responded in various ways, one of which was:
"The statement is incorrect. The statement should begin with the word molecule. Because CO2
is a molecule and is composed of two oxygen atoms and one carbon atom."
Student 21
The above answer indicates that the student had developed their understanding by explaining that CO2 is a
molecule and is composed of two oxygen atoms and one Carbon atom. This response was only evident after the 3E
Learning Cycle was used, demonstrating that it helped students develop their thinking [21].
However, students still held misconceptions regarding the concept of an atom. Students needed to understand the
definitions and differences between atoms and molecules to answer the problem correctly. The most frequent
misconceptions about the matter of atoms, molecules, and ions are in the understanding of atoms and molecules [23].
2. Concept of Acid-Base
Laboratory jargon included in the concept of acids and bases is about the definition of the acid-base, weak acid-
base, acid-base ion formation, acid strength (pH), and acid-base indicator. The following is one of the laboratory
jargon statements, a definition of acid-base according to Bronsted Lowry that was discussed:
Student 09’s answer below shows that their understanding is limited to the protons released by HCl in the form of
H +. Ionization with the role of H2O is not discussed.
"HCl will undergo ionization to produce H+ and Cl- ions. H+ here indicates a positive ion or
proton, and H+ will be able to donate its proton to another molecule, to form bonds."
Student 09
After the 3E Learning Cycle was completed, the statement below was given to the students.
"The H+ from the ionization of HCl will later join the water molecule
Student 19 provided the following answer that shows they had begun to understand the purpose of the questions
asked, In this case, the 3E Learning Cycle revealed positive results where the concepts students constructed could be
applied accurately.
H2O) so that it will later produce H3O + and be able to donate protons. So the one who donated
the proton was H3O+."
Student 19
Misconceptions related to this material can occur because many students define acid-base concepts by relying on
one theory only [10].
The laboratory jargon statement on the concept of acid-base on a weak acid-base refers precisely to the definition
of weak acid-base. The problem below shows one example of a weak base, ammonia, which can react with water
(H2O) to produce ammonium ions and hydroxide ions. The reaction that occurs is an equilibrium reaction because
only some of the bases undergo ionization[1].
Student 34 responded that when ammonia is at a low concentration, it indicates that ammonia has weak basic
040035-3
properties. This is one example of laboratory jargon that often arises because the existing abbreviations indicate that
if the concentration of a species is low it will be weak.
After completing the 3E Learning Cycle, students were given different statements, this time, explaining the
ionization that occurs in ammonia. Student 25’s response below indicates that they have begun to understand strong
and weak acids and bases, the explanation shows that if ammonia undergoes perfect ionization it will produce strong
acids or bases, this is an appropriate response because strong acids and bases will experience 100% ionization or
perfect ionization.
"Ammonia is a weak base, it should be that if ammonia reacts to form ammonium, a perfect
reaction will not occur. Perfect reactions occur in strong acids or bases. But because ammonia
is a weak base, the reaction should not be perfect. "
Student 25
Meanwhile, ammonia is a weak base so that the ionization will not be 100% and will produce a reaction in
equilibrium according to the reaction that has been written. Interviews revealed that students understood this concept
after reading about it on the internet.
"Regarding the imperfect reaction, I had read that while searching for a weak base on the
internet. So in my opinion the reaction is not perfect. "
(Interview of students 25, 5 February 2018)
During the 3E learning cycle learning the relationship between concentration and the strength of an acid with a
base was discussed. The laboratory jargon statement that often occurs, in this case, connects concentration with the
strength or weakness of an acid or base resulting in some students unable to effectively apply the concepts they have
formed.
A laboratory jargon statement about the concept of acid-base regarding the formation of acid-base ions was the
next statement in the test. This statement presented the concept of acid-base precisely about the formation of acid-
base ions or acid-base dissociation sodium hydroxide or NaOH has ions both solid and liquid, in a solid-state. These
ions have strong bonds with each other between positive ions and negative [24].
Following is an explanation from student 35 regarding the statement above that demonstrates their understanding
is still limited because the ions in NaOH will form in a liquid or solution.
"NaOH consists of ions that make it up like Na + ions and OH- ions. These ions will be formed
if NaOH is dissolved in water."
Student 35
The 3E Learning Cycle improved students' understanding of the concept of acid-base dissociation. The different
statements allowed students to demonstrate their ‘new’ understanding. The questions were still presented as statements
regarding the concept of acid-base dissociation as shown below:
The pairs of Na + and OH- ions from solid sodium hydroxide are separated into single ions.
The response below demonstrates that student t20 was able to apply the above concept. They understood that ions
in a compound are both solid and liquid. The student was able to explain the state of ions in the solid compound state
where the ion compound will experience a very strong bond between positive and negative ions [24].
040035-4
"In solid sodium hydroxide, there are Na + and OH - but when it is still in the solid form a very
strong bond may occur because NaOH is an ionic bonded compound. So that when dissolved,
it will form Na + and OH- in different forms."
Student 20
3. Concept of Water
Laboratory jargon about the concept of water is demonstrated in the following statement:
Student 16 provided the following response that shows minimal understanding of the concept of water dissociation
when thinking about reactions that produce protons and hydroxide ions. Dissociation of water will produce hydronium
ions and hydroxide ions which, in this case, the dissociation in question is the autoprotolysis of water molecules [22].
Two water molecules can react with each other and experience proton donor-acceptors[1].
"In water dissociation, if H2O is broken, it will form H + and OH- which also shows the neutral
nature of water. H + is part of the acid and OH- indicates part of the base. So it is neutral."
Student 16
After the 3E Learning Cycle was conducted, students were asked to respond to the statements below:
The following are a student’s answer to the statements:
"Water dissociation occurs when two water molecules (H2O) are reacted to form H3O + ions
and OH- ions. The reaction that occurs is called autoprotolysis, following the reaction."
Student 01
Autoprotolysis will occur because of two water molecules if reacted there will be a proton donor-acceptor between
the two and produce H3O+ and OH- ions. Therefore, the response above shows that student 01’s understanding of the
concept of water dissociation developed after learning via the 3E Learning Cycle.
The above statement shows a relationship with the ionization reaction. The following student’s response to the
statement shows that they did not fully understand the reaction of this neutralization; a response that was reinforced
during an interview with student 33.
"This neutralizing reaction will show that the concentration of the acid will be equivalent to
the concentration of the base. So that it will produce a neutral reaction."
Student 33
"I'm pretty sure about my answer when in a neutral state the concentration of the acid will be
the same as the concentration of the base."
(Interview with student 33, 6 February 2018)
040035-5
After the 3E Learning Cycle was conducted, students were asked to respond to the statement below:
The statement is still about neutralizing reactions involving the number of concentrations present in acids and
bases in neutralizing reactions.
Student 22 response below demonstrates that the learning cycle had a positive impact on student understanding.
"In a neutralizing reaction, the equivalent is the number of moles of acid with moles of the base
so that acids and bases will run out of reaction and produce salt and water."
Student 22
In chemistry education, students often use statements, referred to as laboratory jargon that is easy to understand,
however, they can cause misconceptions. This research study shows that students' understanding can be developed
using a 3E Learning Cycle learning which requires students to build, explain, and apply their understanding of
concepts to new problems.
CONCLUSION
Based on the results of this research, it can be concluded that students use laboratory jargon to construct their
understanding of acid-base concepts. Students’ responses to statements using laboratory jargon created
misconceptions, as can be seen from the pattern of their answers. Laboratory jargon is believed to be able to shape
students' concepts and mindsets[25].
Analysis of data revealed that students use laboratory jargon to demonstrate their understanding of acid-base
concepts such as the concept of atoms and molecules, the definition of acid-base, water dissociation, weak acid-base,
water concentration, acid-base ion formation, neutralization reaction, acid strength (pH), acid-base indicators, and
amphoteric properties of water. The results of the study show that students agreed with the laboratory jargon
statements represented as a misconception. Students held conceptual errors, especially with the concept of the
amphibious nature of water, and understanding atoms and molecules, and neutralization reactions.
Laboratory jargon makes it easy for students to form concepts, but during the 3E Learning Cycle, students were
required to form their concepts and reflect on their understanding of the concepts before constructing their final
conceptual understanding. The application of the 3E Learning Cycle had an impact on students' understanding
compared to their initial knowledge related to the use of laboratory jargon. The 3E model helped them understand
more accurately concepts related to acid-base materials. However, this study has limitations that would benefit from
the addition of quantitative data to inform the impact of the 3E model on learning.
REFERENCES
1. R. Chang, Chemistry (McGraw-Hill Education, Boston, 2007).
2. K. S. Taber, R Soc Chem. I (2002).
3. A. H. Johnstone, Chem Educ Res Pract Eur Educ Res Pr Eur. 1(1), pp. 9–15 (2000).
4. M. L. Weinrich, V. Talanquer, Chem Educ Res Pract. 16(3), pp. 561–577 (2015).
5. H. Barke, N. Harsch, African J Chem Educ. 6(1), pp. 17-30 (2016).
6. Chandrasegaran, et al., The Develovment Of Two-Tier Multiple-Chois Instrument For Evaluating Secondary
School Students’ Ability To Describe And Explain Chemical Reaction Using Multivel Levels Of
Refresentation 8(3), pp. 293–307 (2007).
7. K. Tilahun, M. Tirfu, African J Chem Educ.6(2), pp. 16-32 (2016).
8. H. D. Barke, A. Hazari, and S. Yitbarek, Misconceptions in chemistry: Addressing perceptions in chemical
education (Springer Science & Business Media, 2008)
9. J. E. Ormrod, Educational Psychology Developing Learners, terj. Psikologi Pendidikan Membantu Siswa
Tumbuh dan Berkembang. 6th ed (Erlangga, Jakarta, 2008).
040035-6
10. Z. M. Harizal, J Educ Pract. 3(15), pp. 65–74 (2012).
11. I. Çetingül, Ö. Geban. Hacettepe Journal of Education, (41), pp. 112–123 (2011).
12. S. Purtadi, Pendidikan Berorientasi Lingkungan: Pergeseran Peran Bahan Alam Sebagai Media
Pembelajaran Kimia (2006)
13. R. Artdej, et al.,Res Sci Technol Educ. 28(2), pp. 167–183 (2010).
14. N. Kala, F. Yaman, A. Ayas, Int J Sci Math Educ. 11(3), pp. 555–574 (2013).
15. F. Ağgül Yalçın, Turkish Journal of Science Education 8(3), pp. 161–172 (2011).
16. H. Tümay, Sci Educ. 25(1–2), pp. 21–46 (2016).
17. T. Hadinugrahaningsih, et al., J Phys Conf Ser. 14(5), (2019).
18. M. H. M. Cheng, Z. H. Wan, Calif J Sci Educ.7(2) (2007).
19. D. L. Hanuscin, M. H. Lee, J Elem Sci Educ.20(2), pp. 51–66 (2008).
20. A. O. Qarareh, Int J Educ Sci. 4(2), pp. 123–132 (2012).
21. H. Barke, African J Chem Educ. 8(1), pp. 28-38 (2018).
22. Mukhlisin H. Miskonsepsi Siswa Kelas X SMK Al Madani Pontianak pada Materi Atom, Ion dan Molekul.
Pontianak: Universitas Tanjungpura . In Pontianak Selatan, Kalimantan Barat: Universitas Tanjungpura;
2011.
23. J. E. Brady and J. R. Holum, Chemistry: the study of matter and its changes. (John Wiley, 1993) ; p. 1105
24. T. Hadinugrahaningsih, et al., JRPK J Ris Pendidik Kim. 8(2), pp. 11–24 (2018).
040035-7