A graphical representation is proposed as a teaching device which can be useful in order to obtain a good intuitive grasp of the physical meaning of the Lorentz transformations. The connection between the time dilation and the desynchronization of clocks is particularly discussed. (Author/PR)

Outlines the intellectual developmental stages described by Piaget. Advocates that instructional strategies avoid introducing abstract concepts before students have experience with concrete phenomena. (GS)

Explains why failure to distinguish clearly between three concepts: a vector, its components, and its representatives, renders understanding of how the representations of the rotation group are constructed from products of the spin-half representation, difficult to comprehend. (Author/GA)

REPORTED IS A STUDY CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE THE RELATIVE LEVELS OF UNDERSTANDING OF CERTAIN FORCE CONCEPTS ACHIEVED BY PUPILS IN GRADES 2-6. EVALUATIONS WERE MADE BY MEANS OF PENCIL-AND-PAPER MULTIPLE-CHOICE TYPE TESTS, ONE FOR EACH LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING--(1) KNOWLEDGE, (2) COMPREHENSION, AND (3) APPLICATION. SUB-PROBLEMS OF THE STUDY WERE (1) TO…

This study investigated the extent to which certain aspects of the structure of a learner's memory following instruction corresponded with the structure of the instructional material. Content structure was represented using digraph theory. The digraph analysis revealed a formal structure built substantially on six specific concepts. Cognitive…

The purpose of this study was to compare the level of concept attainment achieved by students enrolled in a Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC) physics course with that achieved by students enrolled in a traditional high school physics course. A sample of 265 PSSC students and 219 enrolled in the traditional course participated. The instrument…

Presented is a discussion of the confusion among students, scientists, and the general public over the meaning of the term "weight." (BB)

THESE LESSON PLANS WERE DEVELOPED, ALONG WITH OTHER MATERIALS SUCH AS (1) DEMONSTRATIONS, (2) FILMS, (3) FILM CLIPS, (4) KEY QUESTIONS, AND (5) POSTERS, FOR USE IN A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE RELATIVE LEVELS OF UNDERSTANDING OF CERTAIN CONCEPTS OF FORCES ACHIEVED BY PUPILS IN GRADES 2-6. EVALUATION WAS MADE BY MEANS OF PAPER-AND-PENCIL…

Discusses the deficiencies of presenting the theme of energy in the current West German school textbooks. The article emphasizes the structural importance of entropy for the understanding of energy and suggests how the physics teacher can contribute to the development of an appropriate attitude toward the energy crisis. (HM)

THIS IS THE FIFTH IN A SERIES OF GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHIES WHICH ARE BEING DEVELOPED TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION CONCERNING DOCUMENTS ANALYZED AT THE ERIC INFORMATION ANALYSIS CENTER FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION. REPORTED ARE OVER 85 CITATIONS TO SELECTED DOCUMENTS ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN SCIENCE. THE DOCUMENTS INCLUDED REPRESENT RESEARCH REPORTS, RESEARCH…