New theoretical proposal on epistemological learning obstacles. The case of carbohydrate metabolism

Abstract

The use of three ad hoc scientific models on the metabolism of carbohydrates can consider the existence of underlying epistemological obstacles that lead to university students to make a lot of mistakes. This approach led to interpret students’ failures into two different epistemological learning obstacles (ELO): «Gap Type» and «Bridge Type». The first one ELO corresponds to cognitive obstacles arising from the lack of knowledge; this means the lack of mental models. The second one corresponds to consolidated previous ideas that act as alternative underlying mental models. This theoretical contribution, based on evidences, allows analysis that goes beyond the simple listing of students’ misunderstandings.