Analysis of Chemical Bond Images Used in High School Textbooks Based on the Results of Educational Research

Abstract

In this article, the images or illustrations contained in textbooks related to chemical bonds are analyzed. The objective was to reveal whether or not these images are adapted to the previous theoretic outcomes. 12 Argentina junior high school (12-14 years old) and senior high school (15-17 years old) textbooks were analyzed. A total of 16 junior high school images and 62 senior high school images were studied. Despite the fact that they are very heterogeneous, the results show a very scarce text-image relationship, and a prevalence for expositive types of text. In addition, in junior high school, 70% of the images are low level models (without electronical configuration), as opposed to the 30% that are high level; whereas in senior high school, practically the opposite occurs.