| Abstract: | This study focused on the knowledge of six outstanding science students who solved an osmosis problem meaningfully. That is, they used appropriate and substantially accurate conceptual knowledge to generate an answer. Three generated a correct answer; three, an incorrect answer. This paper identifies both the accurate and inaccurate conceptions about osmosis of each correct and incorrect solver. The investigation consisted of a presolving clinical interview, think-aloud solving of the problem, and retrospective report of the solving. Of the 12 accurate conceptions identified here, two were especially important in enabling these solvers to generate a correct answer. Of the 8 inaccurate conceptions, either of 2 blocked a correct answer. Four, however, accompanied (and could therefore be concealed by) a correct answer. Teachers could use this information to make a meaningful solving of this problem accessible to more students and to identify more effectively students' inaccurate conceptions about osmosis. |
