ANALIZING PRE-SERVICE CHEMESTRY TEACHERS' ARGUMENTS USING WALTON'S ARGUMENTATIVE SCHEMES

ABSTRACT:

We used Walton's 60 Argumentative Schemes (WAS) to analyse pre-service chemistry teacher's arguments in an interview about two problems: i) snowmen melting (SP1); and ii) a burning candle (SP2). Both problems favour arguments mobilization involving scientific concepts' use. SP1 favours knowledge related to physical state changes and absorption and reflection of light, while SP2 involves chemical reactions. The problems demanded distinct skills from the pre-service chemistry teachers, regarding the analysis of evidence, proposing justifications and drawing conclusions. We found a predominance of schemes related to scientific reasoning and similar arguments in the two problems - which indicates that teachers had developed such ways of thinking, which may be relevant to classroom situations. We realised that the WAS kinds mobilized by the pre-service teachers are influenced by the nature of the problems and the scientific knowledge involved in the resolutions.

Keywords:
Argumentation Schemes; Pre-service chemistry teachers; Walton.