Teaching of Chemical Equilibrium at Further Education and Training Band: Problems and Prospects

Abstract

Chemical equilibrium, a school topic, where learners manifest many misconceptions. The manifestation of misconceptions is considered as a reason for exploring problems and prospects of teaching chemical equilibrium. An exploratory survey, descriptive in nature was conducted in the Thohoyandou cluster of schools in the Vhembe district of the Limpopo province. Forty educators responded to questionnaires while five “well experienced” educators and two subject advisors were interviewed. The study showed educators’ deficiency in subject content knowledge and pedagogical skills to address abstract concepts. Conceptually incorrect, inappropriate, or irrelevant practical experiments, demonstrations, and analogies are used in teaching chemical equilibrium concepts formed part of the findings. Systematic professional development on subject content matter and pedagogical skills are recommended.