Pre-service teachers’ misconceptions about current and potential difference in electric circuits – using microscience kits in a POE activity

Abstract

Third year BEd students in a Physical Sciences content course answered a questionnaire about basic concepts of electric circuits, prior to attending lectures and practicals on the subject. Several well-known misconceptions were found to be prevalent. This led us to design a PredictObserve-Explain (POE) practical activity, using microscience kits. The results from this activity confirmed the prevalence of misconceptions, but also the reluctance of the student-teachers to change them. Our discussion of one important misconception, namely the confusion between current and potential difference, suggests that treating the cell as simply a store of energy and a source of energy without explanation may be the cause of the confusion. A chemist’s approach to this part of physics could avoid the misconception.