• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.569-591
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• 2022

This study aims to investigate the educational effects of the visualization of heat conduction using a thermal imaging camera on elementary school students through small group activities. It endeavors to explain the reason for why metal feels cold. The scholars conducted in-depth interviews before and after learning the unit "Temperature and Heat" for four students in fifth grade in Seoul. Recorded video and audio materials of the activities, their outputs, and journals of scholars were collected, reviewed, and analyzed. The result demonstrated that visualizing heat conduction using the thermal imaging camera aroused curiosity and provided an opportunity for sophisticated observation and integrated thinking. In addition, the visualization of the heat conduction phenomenon was used as the basis for interpretation and rebuttal for active communication during the small group activities of the students. Consequently, the students changed their non-scientific beliefs, refined their knowledge, and developed their mental models through a small group discussion based on a thermal image video.