A variety of terms has been used to describe the knowledge which students bring to classrooms. For example, “alternative frameworks”, “preconceptions”, “misconceptions”, “personal models of reality”, “spontaneous knowledge” and “intuitive theories”. Alternative conception is used when referring to knowledge brought to class by the students because this term “conveys respect on the learner who holds those ideas”.

Alternative conceptions are normal part of the learning process. From everyday experiences, we unsurprisingly form ideas, but this ideas we develop may not all be correct with the current evidences. Wrong interpretations may interfere with being able to grasp new information.

How do we get our students over their alternative conceptions? One is to present new concepts or theories which are plausible and of high quality from a scientific point of view. Teachers may also use analogies or models in order for the students to grasp how the new conceptions work. Teachers may illustrate the application of the new concept by extending the concept a new range of problems.

By: Anna Liza D. Salas | Teacher III | Limay National High School | Limay, Bataan