The effect of the REACT strategy on students’ achievements with regard to solubility equilibrium: using chemistry in contexts

Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of a context-based approach (CBA) ‘Relating, Experiencing, Applying, Cooperating, Transferring’ (REACT) strategy used in relation to the topic of solubility equilibrium in the laboratory chemistry course on students’ achievement at associate level in a health-related program. In this regard, two contexts related to the topic of solubility equilibrium were developed and applied. The study had pre-test post-test with a control group research design and the participants consisted of sophomore students studying in the Medical Laboratory Techniques (MLT) and the Pharmacy Services (PS) Programs of the Ahmet Erdogan Vocational School of Health Services at Bulent Ecevit University (N = 96). The students enrolled in the MLT program were randomly assigned as the experimental group (n = 47) and the students in the PS program were randomly assigned as the control group (n = 49). The experimental group was taught solubility equilibrium by a CBA REACT strategy, whereas the control group was taught the relevant topic by conventional teaching. The ‘Equilibrium of Solubility Achievement Test (ESAT)’ and ‘Structured Interview Form’ were used as data collection tools in the research. The results of content analysis of ESAT post-test showed that the frequency of answers in the sound understanding category was higher for the experimental group compared to the control group students. In addition, the results of Mann–Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests of the ESAT indicated that post-test scores were higher in both groups compared to pre-test scores and the increase was higher in the experimental group compared to the control group. The content analysis results of structured interview form and semi-structured interviews showed that the students expressed positive views concerning the instruction and the qualities of the contexts in general. In this research, it was concluded that the CBA REACT strategy used in relation to the topic of solubility equilibrium in the laboratory chemistry course improved students’ sound understanding and achievement and helped them develop positive views regarding the instruction and the quality of the contexts.