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:
| 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
Use a search engine such as Google Scholar [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] 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.
| Your subject area: | |
|---|---|
| Threshold concept | Student misunderstandings |
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |