Development of students'' Cognitive strategies in teaching chemistry

Chemistry as a school subject is one of the most difficult for students because chemical knowledge has some particular features. Chemists have the ability to manipulate certain chemical models in their minds. Mental chemical models allow chemists to understand the semiotic-symbolic form of chemical phenomena descriptions on macro and micro levels. These mental models are slightly reflected in textbooks, they are usually hidden in a highly formalized text. Some students have the ability to use these chemical models intuitively in their minds. As a rule these students have good grades for Chemistry exams. Individual cognitive strategies of these students are similar to normative cognitive strategies that are typical for chemists. Usually chemistry teachers think that these students have good chemical abilities. What should a teacher do if a student does not have chemical abilities? We suppose that students' cognitive strategies can be developed througtout training. Chemistry teachers can improve learning outcomes and develop students' thinking if they focus students' attention on the mental reflection of their own cognitive strategies and facilities of chemical strategies. Students may develop they own cognitive strategies using this foundation.