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Student understandings of acids and bases: A two year study

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Conclusion

This study had indicated that further research needs to be done into the examination of how subsequent learning will interact with knowledge previously gained. Does the learning of new knowledge in relation to previously understood knowledge cause interference (Biggs & Telfer 1986) or does it result in some confusion culminating in lack of linkages (Osborne & Freyberg, 1985)? Can the benefits of constructivism be built upon when using other strategies? These are some of the questions which arise from the results obtained in this study. This study does not provide any definitive solution to the questions; however it does show that long term retention of concepts learnt using a constructivist strategy does occur.

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Hand, B. Student understandings of acids and bases: A two year study. Research in Science Education 19, 133–144 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02356853

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