Emphasizing the Role of the Insulator in Electric Circuits: Toward a More Symmetric Approach to Insulator and Conductor in the Instruction of Electricity

Abstract

Instruction of electricity at the elementary and middle school level as recommended by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), suggests that students should develop mental models that can be applied both to the open circuits of static electrical phenomena, and to closed electric circuits. They suggest starting the instruction of electricity by presenting experiences regarding electrostatic. The threshold concepts given by them are insulator and conductor take on a new importance, and common misconceptions concerning these terms should be acknowledged. The current paper reports the results of a learning study designed to avoid common pupil’s misconceptions, especially regarding the insulator.