Triangulation to tame the Triplet

Johnstone’s Triangle, commonly known as the ‘Triplet’, refers to the three different levels of representation that operate in chemistry. In this model, students should be able to describe changes in macroscopic properties (colour/enthalpy changes); explain such changes at molecular or atomic levels; and use symbolic representations to communicate these changes.

In a new study, Gregory Thomas describes the impact of a teacher’s use of ‘triangulation’ to stimulate students’ reflection on the nature and use of the different levels of representation in supporting their learning.