Two separate writing-to-learn activities in which students wrote to authentic audiences outside of the instructor were used in a college integrated science course, Science of Water. For the first task, students were asked to write to fourth-grade students, and for the second, students were asked to write to their academic advisor. An overview of…

This paper states that there is a tradition of inquiry learning in science that dates at least to the 1950s and early 1960s. Inquiry learning approaches are still in fashion in that the teacher facilitates learning and a hands-on approach to actively involve students. Process approaches are still being used, and the aspects of science education…

In part 1 (SE 532 193) an outline of Ausubel's learning theory was given. The application of the theory to elementary school science is addressed in this part, clarifying what elementary science means and indicating how it relates to what may be expected to be already known by elementary school children. (Author/JN)

A quantitative theory of teaching suggests that more teaching leads to more learning. Supplementing this is a qualitative theory of teaching, suggesting that learning is largely unafffected by the form of teaching. Four approaches accounting for the qualitative principle of teaching are discussed, including implications for science curriculum and…

Uses examples related to a head of cabbage to discuss: (1) sensory development in children; (2) the integration of sensory and cognitive involvement; and (3) a child's mode of exploring and discovering. Also discusses why science curricula need to be organized around a paradigm that is holistic. (JN)

Discusses a method used at DePaul University of Chicago, Illinois, in a relativity course for students who are not science majors, emphasizing logical reasoning rather than memory of facts. (HM)

Presents a brief review of the historical background of Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) by one of its founders. Reflects on the past and future for this form of individualized instruction. (CS)

Suggests, by argument and example, that the views which children bring with them to science lessons are, to them, logical and coherent, and that these views have considerable influence on how and what children learn from their classroom experiences. (Author/SK)

Addresses the power held by persons who construct curricula, teach, and do research from a frame of reference that includes definite purposes for and theories about science education. Suggests the purpose of science education as a discipline is to improve existing procedures and establish new and verified procedures for teaching science.…

This paper describes the Learning IN Communities (LINC) integrated curriculum project implemented at the University of Central Florida. The report reviews two programs initiated in the fall of 1998, a Biology-English-Statistics class and a Calculus-English-Humanities class. The paper discusses the rationale for attempting this alternate teaching…

This review covers 422 studies of the following types: reports prepared for scientific organizations, dissertations, journal articles, research papers, and papers presented at conferences. The studies have been organized into one of seven clusters for analysis and discussion. They are: (1) learning and instruction (summarizing studies related to…

Presented is a compilation of papers focusing on new questions and new directions for research in science education. Papers are grouped into one of three related fields of research: (1) analysis of curriculum materials, especially science textbooks; (2) investigations of science understandings of students and experts; and (3) investigations of the…

Provides summaries of 1981 science education research. Categories include cognitive style; Piagetian studies; student characteristics and learning; teaching strategies and learning; teaching use of instructional materials and learning; instructional technology; evaluation (instrumentation and methodology); curriculum research; teacher education;…

This volume is composed of 11 source documents which report activities sponsored by the National Science Board Commission on Precollege Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, deliberations of a subgroup of the National Science Foundation Engineering Advisory Committee, and a paper prepared for the Pfizer Corporation. The first four…

The review of science education research for 1981 includes individual analyses of approximately 400 dissertation abstracts, journal articles, research reports, and papers presented at conferences. The organization of the review is topical. Topics include: (1) status studies of science education; (2) cognitive style; (3) Piagetian studies; (4)…