Students' Metaphors on Formation of Molecules from Atoms

Chemistry as a discipline in general incorporates abstract concepts, which should be visualized through experiment- and application-oriented methods. It is a well-known fact in Turkey that chemistry class offered by simple and traditional methods cannot be understood by students at a satisfactory level. Such chemical subjects as atoms, molecules, and compounds include abstract concepts of this kind. The visualization of these structures is as strenuous as their teaching. Among the most arduous subjects is the teaching of the mechanism by which atoms form molecules, compounds, and many other structures by means of chemical and physical bonds. Students cannot conceptualize and understand such aspects as atom, molecule, compound, and mixture. The data were collected in a case study, a qualitative research design, to investigate the metaphors that were produced by 169 students of associate degree and bachelor's degree programs to refer to the formation of molecules from atoms. 167 students produced acceptable metaphors, which were categorized into eight themes. All the created metaphors incorporate positive connotations. It can be proposed based on the metaphors that the subjects at stake can be metaphorized and thematized for the concretization thereof. Thus, learning becomes more permanent and effective.