USING MOLECULAR MODELS TO ENHANCE THE ABILITY OF STUDENTS IN DRAWING AND NAMING STRUCTURAL FORMULAE OF CYCLIC HYDROCARBONS

Abstract

This study sought to find out undergraduate first year chemistry students’ ability to draw and name the structural formula of cyclic hydrocarbons using the molecular models. The study adopted a case study design which used action research approach. A sample size of 103 respondents participated in the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The instruments used for data collection were exercises, tests and questionnaires. This was supplemented with observation. The study revealed that first year chemistry education students had not developed appropriate conceptual understanding in drawing and naming organic structures of monocyclic, spiro and bicyclic compounds. A number of their difficulties were revealed in the pre-test with mean 8.88 and the standard deviation 4.05. In the study, students understanding in drawing and naming of organic structures of monocyclic, spiro and bicyclic compounds was improved through the use of organic molecular models. The post test with mean 17.47 and standard deviation 3.67 results indicated that students performed better after the intervention was implemented. This suggests that the molecular model is an effective tool for teaching nomenclature of organic compounds. This explains why there was a statistical significant difference between the pre-intervention test and post-intervention test results of students. Based on the findings of the study some recommendations were made. Suggestions were made for further studies to be conducted using computer animations instead of the molecular models.