Investigated was the nature of teachers' ideas about force and gravity, changes in materials, and energy. Information was obtained by using interview-about-events and interview-about-instances techniques. Examples of teachers' conceptions and ways of thinking are included. (YP)

Primary school teachers' responses to interview questions about science concepts are described and compared in general terms with views of scientific concepts held by children. Some possible implications of the findings for the development of primary science are outlined. Sample interview questions are included. (Author/CW)

Presents baseline data about the existing state of elementary school teachers knowledge of physical science. A teacher questionnaire and physical science test were administered to participants (N=333) of a physical science inservice training program in Arizona. Results revealed inadequacies in teachers' knowledge of physical science and the…

Addresses the importance of recognizing the prior knowledge and misconceptions of science educators. Provides perspectives on the nature of knowledge, conceptions of learning, nature of science and of teaching, and the relationship between general principles of learning and teaching. (ML)

Analyzes the concept of teaching from various aspects. Reviews research on students' conceptions of natural phenomena, conceptual change, and teacher thinking. Suggests an appropriate conception of teaching science. (YP)

Perspectives on the need for consistency in considering the promotion of conceptual change in science students and teachers (and in some circumstances, researchers) are presented in this paper. The parallels between the consequences of this consistency and the literature on educational change are also highlighted. A particular focus is directed to…

Describes ways a teacher can depict science as a form of thinking that leads to a more consistent, coherent, and comprehensive picture of nature. Indicates that this approach to science can foster in students a better understanding of why scientific truth changes. (RT)

Discusses teacher knowledge of nature of science. Asserts this is aspect of science content knowledge frequently neglected in teacher education. Differentiates between positivism and postpositivism. Describes textbook's role in fostering student misconceptions of nature of science. Suggests students be given chance to carry out their own…

Reports on specific problem-solving difficulties of 240 chemistry teachers from 5 Nigerian states who volunteered to take part in 3 written tests and an interview. Describes the contrasts between successful and unsuccessful problem solvers, and discusses the pedagogical and psychological implications of the findings. (16 references) (JJK)

In this paper, the verbal interaction strategies and explanation behaviors of three fifth-grade teachers teaching science units are used to illustrate relationships among curriculum materials, teacher talk, and student learning. Experimental studies with these and other teachers indicate that, if teachers become more sensitive to their students'…

In considering implications for teaching and learning found in research, a number of writers have urged teachers to probe students conceptions before teaching a concept. The purpose of this probing is to allow the teacher to begin instruction from the conceptual position or positions of the students. This approach carries with it the assumption…

Describes one mechanism by which prospective science teachers are socialized into the teaching profession prior to their student teaching experience. A Discrepant Events Share-a-thon is conducted by prospective middle school and high school teachers at the Georgia Science Teachers Association annual meeting. (LZ)

Describes an interview-a-scientist assignment for preservice elementary teachers. Preservice teachers realized that scientists frequently repeat experimental work, that science is not neat and tidy, and that science requires patience and perseverance. (PR)

Selections of papers from the seventeenth annual conference of the Australian Science Education Research Association are presented in this volume of Research in Science Education (RISE). A diversity of themes are addressed and include new topic areas as well as concerns that have been cited in previous issues of RISE. The papers focus on such…

The purpose of this study was mainly to: (1) assess the competencies of pre-service biology teachers in identifying and correcting student misconceptions about photosynthesis; (2) search for relationships which might exist between each competency and a set of four independent variables, namely, background knowledge about photosynthesis,…