A utilização do perfil conceitual de substância em sala de aula : do planejamento ao ensino à análise do processo de aprendizagem dos estudantes

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the emergence of the zones for conceptual profile of substance and the process of conceptualization experienced by students when involved in different structured activities in a teaching learning sequence (TLS). In it were involved students in year 8, in a private elementary school, Recife, Brazil. The methodology was structured in two steps: planning and structuring of a sequence of teaching and learning (TLS) using ideas proposed by Mehéut (2005), elements of the theory of activity by Leontiev (1978), and the theory of conceptual profile proposed by Mortimer (1995); application and analysis of lessons experienced along the TLS. Three lessons were video recorded, relevant pieces of the discursive interactions were transcribed in order to identify zones of the profile that emerged in the students’ speeches. These pieces of speeches were categorized and organized starting from Microsoft Excel® spreadsheets for analysis. In addition, a questionnaire was applied to the entire class and an interview was performed with the two students more engaged in TLS. The results showed that four zones of the conceptual profile of substance emerged along the lessons in the students’ speeches; and activities promoted changes in the emergence of zones for conceptual profile. From changes in the emergence of the zones, was possible to observe the process of conceptualization experienced by some students. We note that the emergence of certain zone in the lessons seem associated to the context addressed by some activities and tasks. For example, intuitive ideas about substance (generalist zone) emerged predominantly in the answers to the questionnaire, also when students discussed on historical and contextual conceptions related to substance. We observed an increase tendency for emergence of rationalist zone of the conceptual profile. Results point out an important aspect for the teaching practice: the importance of the teacher being aware of the zones in conceptual profiles of the concept in focus, since they played an important role, not only for planning the activities, but also in mediation and direction of the discussions in the lessons.