Student outcomes in online courses trail considerably behind those in face-to-face courses. In order to gain insight into why this might be, the Community College Research Center (CCRC) undertook a series of studies that examined 23 high-demand, entry-level online courses at two community colleges in one state. CCRC researchers observed the online…

A collection of working papers from the course design process of two education courses is presented with attention focused on the category systems employed to set out course objectives and methods. The two studies illustrate the use of a grid to establish the relationships between various course objectives. The first collection of papers is based…

The course outlines presented in this report are intended to be used to teach astrophysics to nonscience majors at the junior and senior college level. An extensive set of notes are included which can be useful to an instructor as guidelines for presentation. Additional equipment and references for use in teaching astrophysics are suggested. (SA)

This publication is designed to aid school administrators, curriculum planners, and teachers in implementing the science education program in Texas public schools. The framework organizes instruction for kindergarten through grade 12 around certain widely accepted processes of science. These processes are reflected in the identified essential…

Describes the specifics of instruction in thermodynamics using a problem-solving technique introduced in a previous issue of this journal. (CS)

This publication is third in a series prepared in cooperation with the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), by the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education. This document focuses on the…

Described is a course designed to better prepare students for employment in chemical industries. A course schedule for this interim course and a list of sources of speakers and speaker credentials is provided. (CW)

The modification of an entire undergraduate curriculum to the concept of meeting explicit educational goals and objectives is reported. This system clarifies the student's responsibility in a course, permits rapid restudy, aids evaluation by faculty, and allows for easy reorganization of courses. (JT)

Many educators are concerned about the effectiveness of traditional methods of teaching science to nonmajors. This document provides a literature review of applicable research on teaching nonmajors introductory college biology, a discussion of the information gathered, and recommendations for future research. The review examines the following…

Described is a course designed to teach the intellectual methods of science while also fostering the development of mature, critical, and skeptical thinking students. Discussed are the course syllabus, teaching philosophy and techniques, and observed results. (CW)

This issue of Investigations in Science Education contains articles about attitude research in science education. It contains the critiques of nine articles about attitude research as well as three responses to critiques. One response relates to a critique published in an earlier issue while the other two responses are paired with the critiques…

This paper reports on the success of a laboratory teaching technique for teaching undergraduate chemistry. Discussed are the premises of the approach, and the use of the computer, the explorations, and the seminar which are included in the course. (CW)

The laboratory curriculum of an introductory physical geology course which emphasizes a peer-learning approach is discussed. (Author/SA)

Based on research and the work of groups engaged in mathematics and science education reform, this document describes the teaching, assessment, and professional development necessary for practitioners in the Pacific region to bring about mathematical and scientific literacy by improving the interaction among students, teachers, and content. The…

This guide provides information on conducting a detailed program analysis using the New York State Program Evaluation Test in Science. The test consists of two required components (Objective Test and Manipulative Skills Test) and five optional components (Student Science Attitudes Survey; Student Science Program Environment Survey; Administrator…