Mapas conceituais no ensino de ciências: uma proposta para a aprendizagem significativa de conceitos científicos nos anos iniciais

Abstract

This current study aimed to analyze the contributions of the use of concept maps as a potential tool for the Meaningful Learning in science teaching, for the initial years of elementary school, specifically in a class of 5th grade in a municipal school of the city of Ponta Grossa, in Paraná state. To achieve the aim, was developed a qualitative research of investigative nature with 30 students from the initial years of elementary school, in the beginning of 2016, totalizing 30 hours / class. For this, was offered an approach on conceptual maps and was applied pedagogical activities with focus on the theme Energy, in order to analyze the learning course. As theoretical contribution for the research, David Ausubel and Joseph Novak were studied on Theory of Meaningful Learning and Conceptual Maps, as well as researchers related to Science Teaching and a perspective of Scientific and Technological Literacy. Whereas the established theoretical framework, a field research was developed in two phases: first, it was applied familiarization activities with conceptual maps in 10 hours / class, where the students could know the constituent elements of representational resource. In the second stage of the research, was elaborated a script of didactic-pedagogical activities, on the generator theme Energy. In this stage, was offered an instructional approach of the theme during the teaching-learning process. The learning was systematized and registered through the construction of conceptual maps. The conceptual maps were elaborated by the students during an application of the second stage of the research composed the analysis of learning in the light of Novak's ideas. Based on the interpretation of the data, it was identified the occurrence of meaningful learning of the concepts scientific studied, with an increase in the understanding and knowledge and its relationship with the society, evidenced in scientific literacy. Thus, was possible to infer that, for the context studied, conceptual maps were a potential facilitator of meaningful learning, given its characteristic of representing the cognitive structure of the students during the learning process. As an educational product from this study, it was presented in a pedagogy strategic notebook for teachers, results of the analysis and process of teaching-learning in this research.