Design and development of a microscopic model for polarization

As research shows that the knowledge and use of models and modelling by teachers is limited, particularly for predicting phenomena, we developed and applied a sequence of three representations of a simulated model focusing on polarization and specifically showing the behaviour of an atom, and forces exerted on a dipole and an insulator, when a charged particle is placed anywhere near them. The sequence was tested with beginning student teachers. They worked with specially developed worksheets in which the simulated model was treated, before carrying out hands-on experiments embedded in a model-based instructional unit which aimed to help the student teachers understand polarization and beco…