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Way of thinking that underlies epistemological learning obstacles on the topic of Protein Synthesis among first-year university students

Abstract

In this paper we have identified ways of thinking that underlie epistemological learning obstacles related to Protein Synthesis Process (PSP) among first-year students of biomedical careers in the University of Buenos Aires. Three ad hoc scientific models about PSP offered a conceptual and methodological framework for interpreting the students’ answers to interviews and exam questions. We have differentiated bridge type obstacles (BTO) and gap type obstacles (GTO). Through an in-depth analysis, we were able to recognize the ways of thinking that sustain BTO, identifying heuristic strategies that alert about the epistemological risk of this kind of obstacle. These results suggest the need for reorganizing the contents to be taught and the use of contextualized scientific models ad hoc in order to make it easier for students to develop a systemic and holistic view of PSP.

Keywords
Epistemological obstacles; Protein synthesis; Heuristics; Ways of thinking

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