Analysis
Jakobsson et al. (2009) are among those who criticise the over reliance on written
formats to evaluate pupils’ cognitive models and understanding of scientific concepts
about the greenhouse effect. In this study we use pupils’ annotated drawings. Pupils’
drawings are representations of their cognitive models (Glynn & Duit, 1995) and
there is also considerable evidence that they can be useful tools both for probing
pupils’ levels of understanding of natural phenomena and for identifying their scientific
views (see, e.g. Dove, Everett, & Preece, 1999; Kalvaitis & Monhardt, 2011). In
cases where pupils otherwise have difficulties in expressing their ideas verbally or in
writing, drawings present a favourable alternative. Also, according to Brooks
(2009), through their drawings, pupils’ conceptions of particular science phenomena
become clearer to themselves, thus helping them to achieve a deeper level of thinking.
Drawings alone may have their limitations, but the combination of writing and
drawing allows pupils to give fuller descriptions in their own words (see, e.g.
Rennie & Jarvis, 1995), which in turn clarifies their understandings of the greenhouse
effect which can then be accessed by researchers.