8. Pupil’s representations

8.3. Examples of pupils representations

- A child may believe that plants get their food from the soil, rather than understanding photosynthesis.

- In geography, a pupil may think that the Earth is flat or that the sun moves around the Earth.

- In mathematics, some pupils think multiplication always makes numbers bigger, which is not true when multiplying by fractions or decimals.

- A student may create a mental image of the water cycle to better understand how precipitation, evaporation, and condensation work (Conceptual representation: help learners make sense of new information by connecting it to what they already know).

- A student may use a graph to represent the relationship between variables in a scientific experiment (visual representation: helpful in clarifying abstract or complex ideas, making them easier to understand and remember).

- A student may describe a process or explain a solution to a problem using words (Verbal representations: help students clarify their thoughts and communicate their understanding to others). 

- A student uses equations, formulas, or algebraic expressions as symbolic representations of relationships or phenomena (Symbolic representation: essential for working with mathematical concepts and abstract scientific ideas).

- A student builds a model or conducts an experiment in Physics (action-based representation): helps kinesthetic learners or those who learn better through movement and physical interaction. Used especially in subjects that require practical skills.