Much of modern biology has become increasingly chemical in character. Not surprisingly, students often have trouble understanding key ideas in biology because they lack foundational chemistry ideas. AAAS and BSCS are collaborating to develop and study a curriculum unit that supports students' ability to explain a variety of biological processes…

This resource is a compilation of three documents that support the teaching of spelling in today's schools: a discussion of "Why Spelling Instruction Matters", a checklist for evaluating a spelling program, and tables of Common Core State Standards that are linked to spelling instruction. "Why Spelling Instruction Matters"…

The focus of this research is to develop an initial framework for assessing and interpreting students' level of understanding of mathematical equivalence. Although this topic has been studied for many years, there has been no systematic development or evaluation of a valid measure of equivalence knowledge. A powerful method for accomplishing this…

Among the variety of approaches to curriculum development, one methodology uses the idea of "consensus". It has been especially effective when used to define content areas within larger disciplines. While the technique may be applicable to curricula within any discipline, this research focuses on its application as a basis for the…

Reports on a British national survey conducted to determine the expectations of the consumers of health education. Concludes that discovering what children bring to their learning and building upon these perceptions is of critical importance in the development of a sound health education program. Lists a number of benefits emanating from the…

More than 600 colleges and universities responded to a survey designed to determine the status of business communication education and to seek the opinions of business communication faculty on content emphasis and supplementary materials for an introductory business communication course. Survey results indicated that business communication…

This paper outlines a process that can be applied to the analysis or design of instructional programs and materials. The role of values in decision-making is discussed, with special emphasis on desisions concerning energy education. In addition, some criteria are given for effective programs and instructional materials for energy education. This…

Three methods of sequencing coordinate concepts (simultaneous, collective, and successive) were investigated with a Bayesian, computer-based, adaptive control system. The data analysis showed that when coordinate concepts are taught simultaneously (contextually similar concepts presented at the same time), student performance is superior to either…

In two experimental studies, the effectiveness of teaching skills are examined in the context of: (1) a specific teaching method linked to (2) specific curriculum objectives and (3) specific curriculum materials; the method and materials used are by (4) specific teachers and (5) specific students in a (6) specific instructional setting; finally,…

Several instructional agents that can be used for controlling learning situations--textbooks, films, tape recorders and mathematical apparatus, programmed instruction, and the human tutor--are examined and compared. (CK)

This paper presents a model of an interactive mode for instructional research and development that might yield both curriculum products and scientific knowledge concerning learning and instruction. Curriculum development is discussed as an applied science and as an art, using specific research and development efforts conducted at the Learning…

This guide is designed as a resource for individuals and groups who are considering why and how to implement teaching about nuclear issues in the classroom. Section I presents some questions frequently asked about nuclear education and responses based upon the experience and research of Educators for Social Responsibility. Section II highlights…

This report presents the problems and activities of the University of Georgia English Curriculum Study Center in creating a curriculum in written composition for children from kindergarten through grade 6. The design of the curriculum study center is discussed in terms of the rationale behind the study, the necessary basic research, the objectives…

This bibliography is part of a series summarizing the activities carried out under Title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965. These research and development activities include: surveys of status, needs, and priorities; specialized research and studies; development of instructional and research materials; research in language teaching methods;…

This report provides a brief review of Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study (BTES) documents from Phase II and Phase III-A, including responses from researchers suggesting variables for future BTES research. Seven basic observable classroom variable domains have been found to receive support from several of the BTES sources reviewed. These seven…