ISSN 1017-2548(Print)
ISSN 2234-8530(Online)
Volume 51, Number 5
JKCSEZ 51(5)
October 20, 2007 

In this study we investigated the types of inscriptions representing the concept of atom and molecule in the 9th grade science textbooks developed under the 7th National Curriculum, and analyzed the processes of interpreting those inscriptions on the view of semiotics. The concept of atom and molecule was represented in various ways such as circular diagram, matters of everyday life, ball-and-stick, and STM graphic, etc. We identified two kinds of inscriptions on the basis of the possibilities of handling models: the inscriptions that represent concept of atom and molecule by image; the inscriptions that represent concept of atom and molecule by using specific matters. We analyzed the processes of interpreting inscriptions systematically with a semiotic model that includes ‘structuring processes’ and ‘translating processes’. The interpretation of inscriptions representing concept of atom and molecule was a complex process requiring many steps of interpreting works. Educational implications of these findings are discussed.