Article

Using POE to Promote Young Children’s Understanding of the Properties of Air

Author

Jia-Chi Liang

Information

pp. 45~68 / 2011 Vol.5 No.1

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess young children’s understanding of the propertiesof air, and to demonstrate Predict-Observe-Explain (POE) activities developed toimprove their understanding. Good instructional models, such as POE, may helpyoung children better understand abstract and invisible physical phenomena like air.POE activities create a prediction-outcome conflict that helps children to rethink andreorganize what they observe. Before performing POE experiments, the majority ofyoung children did not think that air is everywhere; 89% of children believed thatthere is air in their noses, but 64% contended that there is no air in an open container.After reaching successively contradictory judgments in POE activities, 36% of childrenchanged their initial, incorrect ideas about air. Although there was some modestsuccess achieved in this study, for children obtaining consistent and holistic conceptsin science is a long-lasting process. The conclusion of this study suggests that preschoolchildren can benefit from a wide range of POE activities in different topics, especiallyin physical sciences because with professional guided learning they are morelikely to develop a correct understanding of scientific concepts.

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