Investigates the effects of combined learning cues (pretest and behavioral objectives) on the achievement levels of teachers in an inservice course. Subjects receiving the combined learning cues did not achieve at a significantly higher level than did those who did not receive the combined learning cues. (CP)

Presented a categorization of types of science education research, their possible contributions to cognitive science, and the potential of results from cognitive science for enriching the science education research accounts. Explored the relationship of an example of cognitive work to cognitive science. (15 references) (Author/JRH)

Describes how Pre-Planning Evaluation (PPE) aids initial curriculum planning. Presents a case study of how PPE influenced the development of the electricity curriculum in Israeli technical high schools. Concludes that PPE is an essential component of the curriculum development process. (GEA)

Presents a variety of strategies for determining students' ideas about scientific concepts. Explains how the strategies may be used with special-needs students. (WRM)

Reports on effects of Individualized Goal Setting (IGS) Audio Tutorial (AT) instruction compared to classic AT instruction and effects of pretesting compared to no pretesting on students' locus of control. Indicates no significant effect on students' locus of control between IGS-AT v AT or between pretesting v no pretesting. (DS)

Conducted a study to examine the influence of grouping, by means of cooperative learning, on elementary preservice teachers' (n=84) science teaching efficacy. Confirms the relative superiority of heterogeneous cooperative learning. Concludes that a well-designed science teaching methods experience can enhance the development of science teaching…

Described a probe that can assess the learners' understanding of scientific ideas in conditions that do not demand closure on a single interpretation, and where learners can demonstrate certainty or otherwise in several possible alternatives. Can be used in monitoring conceptual change when intuitive understanding of scientific phenomena is to be…

Discusses the advantages of using a pretest in introductory agronomy courses. Provides a pretest that has been developed for use in an introductory crops course taught at Southern Illinois University. Includes 25 definitions, 17 true-false and multiple choice questions, and 6 short answer questions. (TW)

Reading science text is not simply a process of translating printed symbols into meaning; it involves the interaction of the reader's prior knowledge, beliefs, concurrent experience, and the text in a sociocultural context to construct new meaning and understanding. The purposes of this study were to: explore the associations between metacognition…

Supported by this experimental study was the hypothesis that science process skills of premedical and predental students could be improved by a semester-long course modeled after the AAAS Science - A Process Approach curriculum. Recommendations are made regarding the inclusion of science process skills in college science courses. (CS)

Diagnostic instruments of the Individually Prescribed Instruction (IPI) Program measure pupil achievement in the IPI learning continuum. The IPI system employs the instructional unit to define progress in mathematics, reading and science. At the start of a school year, placement tests are administered to start the pupil in appropriate learning…