This study tracked the influence of explicit reflective instructional methods on cultural values, ethical and intellectual development, and the relationship of these with preservice teachers' views of nature of science (NOS). The researchers used the Views of Nature of Science Form B (VNOS B) to describe NOS views, the Learning Context…

Determined if student questioning skills could be taught within framework of an ongoing chemistry course and if acquisition of these skills depends on high school students' (N=108) level of intellectual development. Results indicate that questioning skills can be acquired by students, regardless of their level of Piagetian intellectual…

Investigated the development of formal reasoning among students (ages 10-18 years) from predominately White, middle-class communities located in rural, suburban homogeneous, and suburban heterogeneous areas. Results indicate clear differences among communities in formal reasoning ability. Implications for using science instruction to promote…

Discusses whether formal thought constitutes a structured whole and role of propositional logic in advanced reasoning. Presents aspects of advanced reasoning model, considering hypothesis generation/testing as central processes in intellectual development. Argues that advanced reasoning schemata are linked by these processes and should be…

Assessed the effect of a one-semester college biology course on the development of students (N=72) ability to reason formally and interactions among intelligence, cognitive style, and cognitive level. Includes implications for science instruction. (SK)

Reports on misconceptions held by intermediate grade students concerning chemistry textbook concepts, on the relation of reasoning ability to those misconceptions, and on the extent that textbooks encourage misconceptions. Concludes that the level of understanding displayed for the selected concepts, in combination with the nature of students'…