Several high school chemistry teachers were interviewed in order to determine students' misconceptions
in solubility equilibrium concept before the study. In interviews, participating teachers
were asked whether they have observed any misconception related to solubility equilibrium and have
also handed a copy of misconceptions obtained from literature reviewand were asked to indicate
whether their students have such misconceptions. The duration of interviews were ranged from
50 to 70 minutes. The researcher then developed the solution concept test (SCT) which was used
as a pre test. Researcher did not used solubility equilibrium concept test (SECT) as a pre test since
students were unfamiliar with such concepts; therefore, if it was used results obtained would
probably be effected much by chance factor. Therefore, SCT was used since students have already
been instructed on solution concepts. By the help of misconceptions obtained, SECT was developed.
In addition, the researcher developed the lesson plans and conceptual change texts (CCT) before
the study. While developing CCTs, Roth's (1985) procedures were used. In these texts analogies,
examples and graphic organizerswere used to make contentmore concrete and easy to understand.
Then two chemistry teachers received three hom training where they were informed of
constructivism, conceptual change approach and how CCTs would be used. Moreover, teachers
were trained on standard test administration procedures. Each teacher had one control and one ex-
İsmail ÖNDER. Ömer GEBAN / H.Ü. EğitimFakültesi Dergisi (H.U. Journal of Education). 30 (2006) 166-173 170
perimental classroom. Control group students received materials and assignments based on traditional
methods of teaching. The experimenta1 group on the other hand received instruction and materials
based on conceptua1 change approach. Both experimental and control groups were instructed
on the solubility equilibrium concept in coherence with the chemistry curriculum. Students in
control group were instructed by traditional designed chemistry instruction in which teacher centered
instructional methods were used. In other words, while instructing, teachers generally used
lecturing and questioning methods without considering students' misconceptions. Major concepts,
equations, and definitions were given and students were taking notes while listening to the lectures.
In other words, students in traditional methods were in classes to listen and learn. Students İn
experimental group were instructed by conceptual change approach in which CCTs were used. In
experimental group, students were given an opportunity to ask questions, discuss the topic individua1ly
and with their friends, and present their understandings. In addition, students had the opportunity
to realize that some of their preconceptions are inconsistent with that of scientific explanations
by the heIp of conflicting conditions. Conflicting conditions were presented related to solubility
equilibrium concept by teachers in order to activate students' preconceptions. For example,
students were presented with condition in which Na2S03(s) dissolves in water and the solution reaches
the state of equilibrium. Then, students were asked to explain whether any precipitation occurs
before the solution reaches the state of equilibrium. Moreover, they were asked to predict
whether it is possible to ca1culate Ksp for unsaturated solutions and whether Ksp always decreases
as the temperature decreases. It was aimed students to realize that something is wrong with their
preconceptions. The conflieting situations presented above were presented to actİvate students'
misconceptions such as "there was no precipitation reaction before system reaches the state of equilibrium,
ion product can be used interchangeably with Ksp and Ksp always decreases as temperature
deereases". This is in agreement with Posner et al's (1982) first condİtion for conceptual change.
They indicated that in order to achieve conceptual change first of all there must be dissatisfaction
with existing conception since students do not easily accept new concepts. While instruction,
teachers explained why misconceptions that students hold are wrong. Moreover, they explained the
scientifically correct answer by ana1ogies, demonstrations and providing daily life examples. For
example, to explain that when equilibrium is reached the processes of dissolution and decomposition
do not finish, teachers used the ana10gy of an escalator (moving staircases). By the help of this
analogy, students would probably realize that at equilibrium the rate of decomposition is equal to
rate of dissolution. In this stern teacher tried to accomplish Posner et al.'s (1982) conditions of intelligibility
and plausibility. However, teachers were reminded by the researcher of the importance
of proper usage of analogies in order not to cause any misconception. In addition, some daily life
examples were given to students such as format