Studied two groups of preschoolers taught observational skills by the Montessori method or Science-A Process Approach (SAPA) curriculum. Found no significant difference in competence level between groups, but the SAPA children acquired observational skills in a shorter period of time. (MLH)

Theory and research regarding four levels of concept attainment and three uses of concepts as specified by the conceptual learning and development (CLD) model are described. The strategy of a longitudinal intervention study is detailed. This study is designed to determine the effects of implementing both the model of instructional programming for…

Two groups of fourth graders performed a science activity. The treatment group first watched a filmed explanation of the activity by selected students from the class; the control group did not watch the film. The treatment group generated significantly more positive behaviors and less negative behaviors in the activity. (MLH)

In a pilot study designed to determine whether fourth-grade students can acquire a set of behaviors related to performing certain laboratory activities, 22 students were randomly assigned to either a film-mediated modeling treatment or a control. Students in the treatment viewed a videotape model showing peer leaders engaging in the steps of an…

A sample of 228 elementary school children in a large eastern city was administered tasks which tested visual perceptions of solid objects, and photographs and drawings of these objects. Results showed that children in grades one, four, and six demonstrate a tendency to perform more efficiently on observation and comparison tasks employing solid…

Examines the effect of three different modes of task orientation on observational attainment in practical chemistry. Results include the overall performance on the chemistry observation test and an analysis of the influence of the complexity of observational tasks on observational attainment. (Author/GS)

Investigated was the retention of the skills of observation and comparison in junior high school students in a rural junior high school and an urban setting. Data obtained showed a consistently high degree of retention for both skills (although degree of retention was higher for observation than for comparison skills) regardless of treatment…

This is a continuation of the report on a study of skill retention (observation and comparison) in junior high school students. (See SE 511 538 for additional information.) Reported in this article is an investigation to determine if the skills retained could be transferred to a new set of scientific objects. Results appeared to show that both…

Study investigated whether the use of videotaped models demonstrating effective teaching strategies in an elementary science lesson would promote increased use of effective questioning strategies among preservice teachers (n=38). Results show that the use of the videotaped teaching models increased the use of high-level, divergent,…