A systemic approach to teaching and learning about electrical cells and circuits using two big ideas of science

Abstract

Our recent exploration of the ideas of student-teachers about DC electric circuits and electrochemical cells has shown the prevalence of numerous misconceptions previously reported in the physics education and chemistry education literature. Our students have developed their concepts throughout the period from grade 6 to BEd III in two separate streams – one essentially in chemistry and the other in physics – despite the reality that a cell and circuit together constitute a system. The potential benefits of adopting a Systemic Approach supported by two Big Ideas of Science Education in addressing the needs of our future science teachers are explored. A joint physics-chemistry topic devoted to the cell and circuit system in the BEd curriculum is proposed.