Enseñanza de los modelos atómicos en programas de ingeniería

Abstract

Knowledge of the atomic structure is fundamental in order to understand the behaviour of materials; for this reason, the curricula of introductory courses to engineering generally include subjects regarding such knowledge. Teaching and learning of atomic models entail a large number of problems, as shown by research works that have been carried out, aimed at finding alternatives to solve such problems. Based on a critical assessment of the results of research works taken as a basis for this paper, a proposal for the teaching and learning of atomic models was designed; it is based on the theoretical foundations of the didactics of experimental sciences and was carried out with first semester students of the engineering programs.

The didactic and pedagogic strategies included in the proposal aimed at helping the students to achieve a conceptual, methodological and axiological change which would lead them to build up their mental models of the atom in such a way that they were in accordance with the admissible mental rigor for engineering programs and with scientific atomic models.Also, it was expected that the students would develop explanations on materials behaviour, conceptually and methodologically based on the atomic models that they had rebuilt.The results gained with the instruments that were designed to give judgement on the learning results that were produced, contrasted positively with the formulated hypotheses as a good number of the students involved were successful in achieving the objectives. Likewise, most students acknowledged the importance of learning these subjects in order to build up their knowledge of materials, whose significance in their professional formation is widely recognized.