Abstract Concepts

One of the biggest challenges for students in secondary science education is understanding concepts that are either too small, too large, or too abstract to ‘see’ directly. Topics such as molecular bonding, the behavior of atoms, energy transfer, or cellular processes can feel too obscure or meaningless when presented through static textbook images or lecture-based explanations. For instance, while a diagram of a water molecule can show its shape, it does not effectively convey how the atoms vibrate, how hydrogen bonding occurs, or how molecular orientation relates to changes of state. Similarly, processes such as DNA replication or protein synthesis involve countless steps happening at the microscopic level, which are impossible to observe with the naked eye and difficult to visualize using static images.

Making the Invisible Visible

Much of science deals with structures and processes that are too small or hidden to observe. Atoms, molecules, and organelles cannot be seen without advanced equipment, and even then, they are often only represented indirectly. This creates a barrier for students, who are often expected to imagine invisible processes like molecular bonding or cell division based on static diagrams alone. Research has shown that animations and simulations can help overcome this barrier by making abstract and microscopic processes more accessible. For instance, studies on multimedia learning demonstrate that dynamic visualizations paired with narration improve students’ ability to form accurate mental models compared to text or images alone (Fyfield, 2022). Animations of protein synthesis, for example, can show ribosomes “reading” mRNA and building amino acid chains step by step, something impossible to observe directly in a classroom lab. Similarly, Abdinejad et al., (2021) noted that molecular animations significantly improved chemistry students’ understanding of particle-level interactions. By making the microscopic visible, videos give students concrete, dynamic images to connect with abstract ideas, supporting both comprehension and long-term retention.

Adding Motion

When it comes to imagery, textbooks and diagrams often provide only static snapshots of scientific phenomena. While these images can be useful for introducing concepts, they do not capture the dynamic and sequential nature of processes such as mitosis or organelle functions. Many of these processes occur over time and involve a series of transitions, making them difficult for students to fully grasp through still images alone. Without seeing how events unfold, learners may develop fragmented understandings, knowing isolated steps but not the order or connections between them (Tversky et al., 2002).

Videos and animations address this gap by introducing both motion and timing, allowing learners to see processes as they occur step by step. For example, watching an animation of mitosis shows chromosomes condensing, lining up at the metaphase plate, and separating into daughter cells, providing a sense of sequence that static diagrams cannot. Similarly, observing molecules colliding and forming bonds through animation makes chemical reactions more meaningful and easier to conceptualize. Research shows that animations can help learners follow changes over time, particularly when the order and transitions between stages are essential for understanding (Tversky et al., 2002).

References

Abdinejad, M., Talaie, B., Qorbani, H. S., & Dalili, S. (2021). Student perceptions using augmented reality and 3D visualization technologies in chemistry education. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 30(1), 87-96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-020-09880-2

Chemistry Visualized. (2020, July 18) H2O Formation | Chemical reactions visualised | Chemical reactions animation [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a86kCtxN6Rg

Fyfield, M. (2022). YouTube in the secondary classroom: How teachers use instructional videos in mainstream classrooms. Technology, Pedagogy and Education, 31(2), 185-197. https://doi.org/10.1080/1475939X.2021.1980429

Nucleus Medical Media. (2015, March 18). Biology: Cell Structure I Nucleus Medical Media [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URUJD5NEXC8&t=180s

Thom Leach. (2022, Feb 21). Mitosis Animation [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ybxaYhRpIA

Tversky, B., Morrison, J. B., & Betrancourt, M. (2002). Animation: Can it facilitate? International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 57(4), 247-262. https://doi.org/10.1006/ijhc.2002.1017

Yourgenome. (2015, Jan 7). From DNA to protein - 3D [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG7uCskUOrA

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