This study employed hierarchical linear models (HLM) to investigate Peer-Led Guided Inquiry (PLGI), a teaching practice combining cooperative learning and inquiry and tailored for a large class. Ultimately, the study provided an example of the effective introduction of a reform pedagogical approach in a large class setting. In the narrative, the…

Presented is a study in which students' intellectual reasoning development was evaluated following instruction that emphasized formal operations in a traditional lecture format. Results indicated that formal-operational students had significantly more success in the three reasoning areas than transitional students and transitional students had…

A Prelaboratory Preparation Period (PPL) was developed to introduce freshmen level students to weekly laboratories. Results (based on data obtained from 233 chemistry students) show that the PPL increased the academic achievement of students enrolled in the introductory chemistry course. (JN)

Determined the effects of questions on the learning of 55 undergraduate education majors from case exhibits associated with a "walk-through" museum exhibit. The case exhibits contained diagrams, some specimens, a large amount of written material, but no questions. Also compared the effects of experimenter generated questions versus…

This study explored teacher perspectives on the use of socioscientific issues (SSI) and on dealing with ethics in the context of science instruction. Twenty-two middle and high school science teachers from three US states participated in semi-structured interviews, and researchers employed inductive analyses to explore emergent patterns relative…

This study is a synthesis of practice and research related to use of behavior analysis to train teachers. An idealized model for training science teachers is presented with research related to the model categories reviewed and analyzed. Results (based on meta-analysis) which support the idealized model are presented and discussed. (Author/JN)

This was an experiment to test the extended discretion laboratory approach versus a guided-inquiry approach for teaching biology in a university setting. Among three criterion variables (examination, reports, and quizzes), only the laboratory report scores showed differences between groups and group-by-instructor interaction. (Author/YP)

Analyzed outcomes of using worksheets or simulation games in a high school biology course. Results (based on data obtained from 83 students) showed that students taught by the simulation game method had comparable achievement gains to students taught using worksheets. Differences related to sex are noted and discussed. (JN)

Assessed the effectiveness of conducting an elementary science methods course based on the Concerns Based Adoption Model (CBAM) on the concerns and attitudes of 85 preservice elementary teachers. Results indicate that neither traditional nor CBAM methods courses proved superior in affecting concerns or attitudes of the preservice teachers.…

A remedial instructional strategy (developed and implemented in ninth-grade physics classes) was found to significantly affect low/mixed ability students' achievement. The method was developed on the basis of a needs assessment of students' backgrounds and a detailed task analysis of the physics course's cognitive demands. (JN)

Investigated preservice physics teachers' ability to make judgments of observed teaching during one of two courses. Students in an inductive course (N=24) engaged in peer teaching before receiving instruction in theory. Students in a deductive course (N=26) received instruction in theory before peer teaching. (JN)

Cognitive and affective outcomes of a class visit to a participatory science museum were examined by comparing responses of 416 fifth and sixth graders randomly assigned to four conditions (control, exhibit, lesson, exhibit followed by lesson) and two tests (verbal and visual). Results and implications for science education are presented.…

Investigated the influence of locus of control and diagnostic testing with prescribed remediation on immediate and retained science achievement of preservice elementary education majors (N=43) during three introductory biology units. Findings, among others, show no locus of control times treatment interactions and differences in achievement…

Data from 60 observations of 10 teachers and 10 each of their students showed that type/quality of teaching strategy predicted 37 percent of variance in engagement and that the more indirect the teaching strategy, the greater the students' involvement in learning tasks. Implications of these and other findings are discussed. (Author/JN)

Investigated what effects two instructional strategies (related to student use of manipulative materials) would have on second-grade students' (N=96) development of logical structures. Also examined the effects of sex on logical development. Results indicate that supplying manipulative materials alone is not adequate in promoting development of…