This study examines the contribution of the knowledge produced in educational administration doctoral theses to the functions of science, concept and model development, theory formation, scale development/adaptation and application. Content analysis, one of the qualitative methods, was used in conducting the research, which analyzed 122 doctoral…

To obtain a general understanding of science, model use as part of National Education Standards is important for instruction. Model use can be characterized by three aspects: (1) the characteristics of the model, (2) the integration of the model into instruction, and (3) the use of models to foster scientific reasoning. However, there were no…

This article recounts the author's working experience of one method by which pupils' understanding of the epistemologies of science can be developed, specifically how scientists can develop hypothetical models and test them through simulations. She currently uses this approach for transition lessons with pupils in upper primary or lower secondary…

Instructional videos have been developed to engage pre-service teachers to learn how to teach scientific approach in science classroom. This study aimed to improve preservice teachers' awareness of scientific approach in science classroom through instructional video along with their responses. Thirty two pre-service science teachers from…

This study aims to investigate the views of Saudi Science Teachers in Najran district about the nature of science (NOS). A questionnaire of fourteen items was developed and administered to a sample of 83 science teachers. The questionnaire covers five aspects of the nature of science which are: scientific theories and models; role of scientists;…

Rania Gikopoulou is a primary school teacher and post-doctoral researcher at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. In this article she describes how her 5th grade class (Age 11) learned about abstract phenomena through models of their microscopic structure.

Neo magnets are neodymium magnet beads that have been marketed as a desktop toy. We proposed using neo magnets as an alternative building block to traditional ball-and-stick models to construct carbon allotropes, such as fullerene and various nanocone structures. Due to the lack of predetermined physical connections, the versatility of carbon…

A concept of major importance in human electrophysiology studies is the process by which activation of an excitable cell results in a rapid rise and fall of the electrical membrane potential, the so-called action potential. Hodgkin and Huxley proposed a model to explain the ionic mechanisms underlying the formation of action potentials. However,…

What do children really wonder about? What encourages children to wonder? Where is space found for children to share their wonderings in school? What, if any, is the role of the teacher in a child's wondering? And what is the value of wondering in primary science classrooms today? Lynne Bianchi shares the answers she and others found in a recent…

A partially unusual behaviour was found among 14 sophomore students of civil engineering who took a pre test for a free fall laboratory session, in the context of a general mechanics course. An analysis contemplating mathematics models and physics models consistency was made. In all cases, the students presented evidence favoring a correct free…

Too often teachers describe physics solely as a technical discipline, which contributes concretely to changing our material world. In a society where prejudices and superstitions still play an important, sometimes tragic, role, there is much more to emphasise about physics. A physics teacher should introduce high school students to physics by…

Complex health problems such as chronic disease or pandemics require knowledge that transcends disciplinary boundaries to generate solutions. Such transdisciplinary discovery requires researchers to work and collaborate across boundaries, combining elements of basic and applied science. At the same time, calls for more interdisciplinary health…

The arguments about the dimensions of nature of science and the strategies for teaching it are still controversial. In this research, as part of these arguments, a context based on the issue of demarcation of science from pseudoscience was offered and questioned for its effectiveness in nature of science teaching. The research was planned for an…

Argues that the paradigm presently used in educational administration is neither useful nor appropriate because it is no longer fruitful in generating powerful concepts and hypotheses, does not allow description of modern organizations or the people in them, and, as a result, is not helpful to administrators. (Author/IRT)

Responds to Shields' paper (1986) on the structure of new epistemologies in family therapy. Contends that Shields is being reductionistic in his criticism and obscures the importance of epistemology in family therapy. Also sees problems in Shields' assumptions of objectivity and veracity. (Author/ABB)