The role of assessment in the chemistry classroom is ultimately tied to the nature of the assessments available for use. Because they provide data that can inform decisions about curricular changes, or new pedagogies, the incorporation of new assessment strategies can play an important role in how educational and curriculum reform is carried out.…

Discussed are Nathan Isaacs' contributions to education--his theory that knowledge is built up from birth onwards in a cumulative and developmental way, the educational implications that follow from this theory, his position as both a supporter and critic of Jean Piaget, and his specific contributions to early science teaching. (KC)

Overviews characteristics of preoperational thought, summarizes Piaget's theory of the peroperational child's view of reality, explores implications of the preoperational stage of development for early childhood science education, and provides general guidelines for an early childhood science curriculum. (Author/RH)

Investigates whether introductory college chemistry students today differ from those a generation ago in terms of Piagetian cognitive functioning, aptitude, and achievement, and whether the gender differences in Piagetian cognitive development functioning found in 1981 are still evident today. Suggests that today's students are different in a…

The complex relationship between cognitive developmental research and children's science curricula is explored, focusing on the tendency to attribute shortcomings in performance to the child's age, the confounding of weak knowledge with developmentally based deficiency, and emphasis of stage-based constraints on children's thinking. (SLD)

Procedural understanding should be taught to students for an understanding of the 'nature of science'. Considers some of the concepts of evidence that are particularly important to biology, and discusses how and why these ideas could be taught. (Contains 21 references.) (Author/YDS)

The study attempted to show that the first grade child's learning in a new area must involve overt concrete experiences from which new ideas will be derived. Forty-nine students, assigned to six groups, were instructed on three scientific concepts. The verbal instruction technique was similar to that suggested in SCIS. The application segment…

Summarizes the findings from a recent research study of the processes and products of science teaching in English schools. The study identified three main styles of science teaching; these are discussed in terms of their effectiveness and in relation to the implementation of modern school science curricula. (Author/GA)

Presents general directions on how the Swedish university physics curricula should be designed to meet future needs. How to improve the cooperation between industry and university is also discussed. (HM)

Investigates whether the critical period for cognitive transition from concrete operations to formal operations at 12-14 years of age actually exists. Uses the Cognitive Acceleration through Science Education (CASE) intervention program in Malawi. Discusses the existence of the critical period, academic achievement, and explanations for age and…

Presents a rationale for providing preschool children with experiences related to classification, seriation, and pattern recognition because they are means by which a child can organize the world around him. These are considered to be the early steps in the long developmental sequence leading to logical thinking and reflective observation. (GS)

Paper presented at the conference on "Curriculum Development in a Changing World, Syracuse University, July 10-11, 1968.

Based on the inference that a teaching strategy that facilitates students' cognitive development toward Piagetian formal operational thought patterns will also increase scholastic performance in introductory genetics, a self-study guide was developed, implemented and tested to facilitate a student's ability to apply formal operational thought…

Presents the author's views of what should be done about science teaching and curriculum in the British elementary schools. (HM)

Analyzes the meaning of Piaget's concept of abstraction and provides discussion of some of its shortcomings. (HM)