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The Educational Review, USA

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Article Open Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/er.2025.08.009

Impact of TSPCK Instruction on Grade 11 Motivation and Learning in Chemistry

Kassahun Dejene1,*, Woldie Belachew2

1Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Mathematics Education, Kotebe University of Education, Addis Ababa, P.O. Box 31248, Ethiopia. 

2Department of Science and Mathematics Education, College of Education and Behavioral Studies, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ab-aba, P.O. Box 1176, Ethiopia.

*Corresponding author: Kassahun Dejene

Published: September 19,2025

Abstract

This study examined the impact of Topic-Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TSPCK)-based instruction on Grade 11 students’ motivation, conceptual understanding, and achievement in chemical kinetics and equilibrium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Using a quasi-experimental design with 159 students in intact classes, participants were assigned to three experimental groups or a control group. The experimental groups received instruction incorporating TSPCK components curricular saliency (CSA), representations (REPs), and conceptual teaching strategies (CTS) while the control group followed conventional methods. Data were collected through tests, motivation questionnaires, interviews, and observations. Results revealed significantly higher motivation, conceptual understanding, and achievement in the TSPCK groups. Motivation constructs, particularly mark motivation, explained 67.4% of the variance in conceptual understanding and 64.7% in achievement. Female students generally outperformed males, except under CSA. The study highlights TSPCK’s effectiveness in improving student engagement and learning, emphasizing its value in curriculum design and science education reform.

Keywords

Conceptual understanding; Motivation; Pedagogical content knowledge; TSPCK-based instruction; Chemical kinetics; Chemical equilibrium

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How to cite this paper

Impact of TSPCK Instruction on Grade 11 Motivation and Learning in Chemistry

How to cite this paper: Kassahun Dejene, Woldie Belachew. (2025). Impact of TSPCK Instruction on Grade 11 Motivation and Learning in Chemistry. The Educational Review, USA9(8), 742-754.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/er.2025.08.009