Before we can effectively apply specific interventions through professional development, it is important to determine what is occurring in our high school physics classrooms. This study investigated common professional practices in physics teaching among a representative sample group of schools and teachers from a diverse, geographically large…

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of curricular or instructional innovations, researchers often attempt to measure change in students' conceptual understanding of the target subject matter. The measurement of change is therefore a critical endeavor. Often, this is accomplished through pre-post testing using an assessment such as a…

Research has indicated that experts' subject matter knowledge structures (SMKSs) differ from those of novices in that they contain more cross-linking, interconnections, and overarching thematic elements, characteristics that are in accordance with those espoused in current reform documents. Unfortunately, teachers' SMKSs are not…

Analogies are known to foster concept learning, whereas discovery learning is effective for transfer. By combining discovery learning and analogies or similarities of concepts, attractive new arrangements emerge, but do they maintain both concept and transfer effects? Unfortunately, there is a lack of data confirming such combined effectiveness.…

Many years ago, Arons pointed out the incomprehension science students exhibit of the basic mathematical operations multiplication and division and the need to address the problem in physics classes to assure student understanding of the physical world. McDermott et al.'s Physics by Inquiry program does address this need directly and in detail (by…

Suggests an instructional presentation designed to give students an intuitive understanding of the uniform acceleration of a body falling toward the earth. (JR)

Uses the format of a dramatic play as a means of explaining the relativity of time to beginning physics students. (JR)

Discusses the problem of gravity as it relates to distance from the center of the earth, and reports contradictory explanations from different source books. Uses this example to illustrate that science should not be taught from a single source, such as a textbook. (JR)

Reports on the results of a study involving an innovative assessment program initiated to investigate student predictions and revised explanations regarding a variety of optical phenomena. Suggests that the introduction of new forms of assessment in science education, although desirable, will require significant reordering of the goals and…

Describes the use of contract teaching with a class of competent senior students taking PSSC Physics. Explains the method used, reports the results obtained on tests in comparision with another class, and offers recommendations for teachers interested in trying this method.(JR)

Fifty subjects were physics graduate students in Taiwan, and forty-five were physics graduate students in the United States. Results indicated Taiwanese students pursuing their studies in the United States did not feel as well prepared as their counterparts. Recommendations include revision of undergraduate curriculum and requiring more English…

This study compared the attitudes toward science teaching and proficiency in the science process skills of elementary education majors enrolled in a physics course v a science methods course. Science process skills appear to be more effectively taught in the physics course. (Author/MK)

High school physics students (n=41) were exposed to both massed and distributed practice on two different physics topics. Results suggest that using distributed practice in high school physics classrooms can lead to higher student achievement. (11 references) (Author/MKR)