This paper presents the procedures, results and conclusions of a study designed to determine whether three different methodological approaches to the laboratory for a general education physical science course would lead to the same behavioral outcomes. Students enrolled in the physical science course were randomized into one of three laboratory…

Describes "Studies in the Physical Sciences" (SPS), an audiotutorial physical science course designed for non-science elementary school classrooms. The course is completely laboratory-centered with no formally scheduled classes. Students can work at their own speed, choose what they will study from the sixteen units available and design…

Although educational research has produced an abundance of useful findings, the quality of education has improved but very little. In spite of an ever-increasing financial outlay at all governmental levels, schools are falling short of expectations of those who must use the products of public education. The answer to, "Why can't the schools…