Student Preconceptions
Describe tools used to determine student preconceptions:
1. Tool and place in unit: What We Think We Know About Magnifiers and
What We Want to Know About Magnifiers: Lesson 1
This tool is designed to draw out preconceptions from students. Keep this list
posted and bring out these misconceptions at the appropriate place in the unit.
For Lesson 17 (Post-Unit Assessment), the class will have a discussion about
what they found out was true and what they now believe to be different. Students
will also list new questions at that time.
2. Tool and place in unit: Activity Sheet 4: Lesson 4
This tool is designed to draw out any misconceptions that students still have on
what objects will magnify. This is a real quick checkpoint to see who gets it
and who is still having trouble.
3. Tool and place in unit: 1st Drawing of a Microscope: Lesson 1
After my students do the What We Think We and Know About Magnifiers and What We
Want to Know, I have them do a draw of a microscope. I do not give them any
direction. Many students draw hand lenses or telescopes. I do this same activity
at the end of the unit to show their growth.
1. Description of a student preconception
When you ask students to draw a microscope at the beginning of the unit, most of
the students draw hand lenses or telescopes.
Correct conception by the end of the unit:
By the end of the unit, students can draw a microscope with all the correct
labels because they have had enough experience with them.
2. Description of a student preconception
Students seem to think that if something is clear that it will magnify.
Correct conception by the end of the unit:
In lesson 3, students explore different acrylic shapes to see if they magnify.
Through this lesson and looking more closely at hand lenses (and glasses if
anyone in the classroom has them), the students discover that in order for
something to magnify it must be clear and curved.
3. Description of a student preconception
Students at this age tend to think that everything is exactly the way it
appears to their “naked eye”.
Correct conception by the end of the unit:
Students have so many opportunities to enhance their vision using hand lenses
and microscopes that they truly are able to see so much more with science tools.
This is especially true if you have them look at the objects and organisms
before using the hand lens or microscope.