• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.355-367
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• 2009

In this study, the 9th grade students were interviewed to explore their comprehension and interpretation processes of inscriptions representing the concept of atom and molecule. We used a semiotic model for the interview and the analysis of result. The research result revealed that the students performed structuring processes of interpreting inscriptions successfully, but they had a difficulty with translating processes for attaining the target concept or for connecting an inscription with another inscription. Translating processes of connecting inscription with text showed a different result according to achievement level of each student. On the other hand, all the interviewees showed similar sequences in the processes of interpreting inscriptions. Educational implications of these findings were discussed.