Resolução de problemas como proposta metodológica para o ensino de química

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a qualitative research, developed with a first-year High School class of a state education school, located in the urban area of Caçapava do Sul, RS. In its execution, the methodology used was the Problem Solving, having as research question: "How to enhance learning in the Chemistry discipline, through the use of the Problem Solving methodology?" Seeking, therefore, the improvement of teach and learn processes and a better understanding of the contents involved. Problem Solving strategies were used to promote the reading, research, collective construction of knowledge and explanation of obtained results. The work was developed in stages, starting with a motivational meeting that aimed to awaken the students' interest aboutthe subjects addressed and the Problem Solving. The second stage consisted of a brief presentation of the chemical contents involved, the approach about the methods of mixtures separation and the development of some practical activities. At the third stage, was presented the theme "Water Pollution" highlighting the relevance of the subject regarding to scientific and social aspects. The fourth step consisted of solving a block of semi-open and challenging problems involving the theme quoted above and the Chemistry content corresponding to the first year and which led the students to research possible strategies, demonstrated theoretically and experimentally, in the quest to solve them, allowing the construction of scientific knowledge. Two questionnaires were applied: the initial to verify prior knowledge, and the second one to analyze the work from the Problem Solving. Qualitative research was used (GODOY, 1995), and the results analysis was performed according to the Content Analysis methodology (BARDIN, 2011). The study was developed in the light of Jerome Bruner's Theory of Learning and the theoretical background brought authors from the area of Science Teaching, who defend the Problem Solving methodology as an effective methodological strategy. The purpose was to develop cognitive abilities such as the construction of strategies in Problem Solving aiming at improving the understanding of scientific concepts. A Literature Review was carried out in the ENPEC minutes (2011 to 2017) in order to verify some methodological tendencies in the published articles about Problem Solving in the Nature Sciences. As final production is being made available (in e-book), blocks of problems involving the content of Chemistry and the methodology of Problem Solving, which were produced and validated during the masters course, allowing other teachers to know and make use of this methodology education. From this research, some difficulties of the students in the aspects related to the different stages of the implementation of the proposal were evidenced and potentialities of the use of Problem Solving were revealed, such as the development of cognitive abilities during the elaboration of strategies, motivation, reflection criticism, creativity and argumentation.