1.2 Identify threshold concepts in your subject
The following table lists a few of the threshold concepts that have been identified alongside examples of the types of misunderstandings students demonstrate:
Table 1 Threshold concepts
| Subject | Threshold concept | Student misunderstandings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | Photosynthesis |
Photosynthesis as consumption A product’s reaction to sunlight |
|
| Biology | Evolutionary theory |
Macro evolution Timeframes in evolution Transfer of genetic characters Understanding nature of science |
|
| Chemistry | Acids, bases and neutralisation |
Describing neutralisation Strength of acids |
|
| Chemistry | Atoms and atomic structure |
Atomicity Chemical equilibrium Chemical bonding Intermolecular forces Energy quantisation in atomic structure |
Animism of atoms Probability in atomic structure Size of atoms Structure/shape of atoms Weight of atoms |
| Chemistry | Ideal gas equations |
Gas volume calculations Pressure volume Temperature relationship Unfamiliarity with thermodynamics |
|
| Computing/ Technology | Java programming |
Boolean conditions Iteration: loops or repeat, how often to iterate; starting value; what goes into a loop; while versus for loops Selection Understanding a problem Writing a trace table |
|
| Computing/ Technology | Polymorphism: Object oriented programming | Inheritance, loose coupling and dynamic binding, abstraction, relationships | |
| Physics | Heat transfer | Mathematical formalisation, equations, functions | |
| Physics | Magnetism |
Charge distribution Coulomb’s third law Induction Charge and electric field Magnetic field Magnetic force |
|
| Physics | Potential difference | Electrons carry positive charge Current is related to potential energy Voltage and current are the same |
|
| Pure Maths | Complex numbers |
Real numbers Imaginary numbers Square root Abstraction |
|
| Maths | Limit |
The limit of ratio sin ×/× is 1, as × tend to 0, suggesting 0/0 = 1 Limit as infinity |
You may already know some threshold concepts in your subject area. In Activity 1 you will conduct a search which will help you to confirm the threshold concepts you know about or help you find some new ones.
Activity 1 Identify threshold concepts in your area
Allow approximately 10 minutes
Use a search engine such as Google Scholar to search for literature on threshold concepts in your subject area. Find four examples of threshold concepts then make a note of the threshold concepts and related student misunderstandings in the table below.
Table 2 Examples of threshold concepts
| Your subject area: | |
|---|---|
| Threshold concept | Student misunderstandings |
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 |
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