Design of a learning experience based on analogies to facilitate the acquisition of the concept of density

Abstract

Students present complications in learning concepts in branches such as physics and chemistry due to the abstract nature of their concepts and the mathematical procedural approach given in the lessons. This article focuses on the process of designing and validating a learning experience for density concepts. The physical manipulative used as a learning object was based on the Model of Squares and Points (MSP) to graphically demonstrate the relationship between the concepts of mass, volume, and density. Six scenarios were used to guide interaction with the physical manipulative. A total of six high school students participated in the validation of the learning experience. As a result, the concepts were improved between the initial and final tests; however, it was shown that the participants had problems with the concepts of mass, volume, and their relation to density.