The study explored how to best use scaffolds for supporting students' inquiry practices in computer-supported learning environments. We designed a series of inquiry units assisted with three versions of written inquiry prompts (generic and context-specific); that is, three scaffold-fading conditions: implicit, explicit, and fading. We then…

In this issue, I draw together two sets of papers, with apparently different agendas. Most of the original papers in this issue use various learning perspectives and research approaches to explore the challenges and affordances of digital games for learning science. Associated forum papers challenge the authors and us to critically examine our own…

Despite the widespread assumption that students require scaffolding support for self-regulated learning (SRL) processes in computer-based learning environments (CBLEs), there is little clarity as to which types of scaffolds are most effective. This study offers a literature review covering the various scaffolds that support SRL processes in the…

Within the framework of cognitive learning theories, instructional design manipulations have primarily been investigated under tightly controlled laboratory conditions. We carried out two experiments, where the first experiment was conducted in a restricted system-paced setting and is therefore in line with the majority of empirical studies in the…

Many primary studies have been performed to reveal the effects of computer assisted instruction (CAI) on students' attitudes towards science courses. In determining the effectiveness of these studies, gathering and evaluating of the studies at some characteristics play an important role. The aim of this study is to determine meta-analytically the…

Describes three exercises that will assist advanced high school and undergraduate students in understanding: (1) the concepts of randomness; (2) the importance of randomly assigning subjects to treatments; and (3) the statistical concepts of degrees of freedom. (ZWH)

Reported are the results of a meta-analysis of 30 studies of individualized instruction in science in which this method was compared with a traditional lecture method of science instruction. Studies analyzed also included measurements from which effect sizes could be calculated. Five methods of individualized instruction were identified: (1)…

Describes a research strategy designed to examine learning and behavior when students interacted with microcomputers and software interfaced with a videotape cassette recorder (VCR). Utilized the VCR to record the video output from the microcomputer and students' verbal comments using a microphone unit. (TW)

This thesis describes a project to design a primary school physics learning environment which takes into account teachers' needs, design procedures, properties of the learning environment, and pupil learning outcomes. The project's design team has wide experience in research and development work in relation to science education, the use of ICT in…

Computerized simulation of physical phenomena is a growing area of high-performance computing, providing a new approach to scientific discovery and offering creative, efficient, and effective alternatives to laboratory experiments for teaching graduate and undergraduate science. The technique is a very important scientific and instructional tool.…

Current research and evaluation studies describe changing knowledge about the effects and conditions of computer-based tools in learning and teaching in elementary and secondary school classrooms. Current studies of computer-based tool use are characterized by: (1) a focus on many dimensions of learning, learners, and learning environments; (2) an…

This paper describes research using the Educational Resources Information Center--ERIC database to conduct a content analysis of education journals for science teachers. The journals analyzed: "Science and Children" (S&C), "The Science Teacher" (TST), and "The Journal of College Science Teaching" (TJCST), are used…

A program providing small grants to faculty members to carry out promising proposals for instructional improvement was undertaken at Memphis State University in 1974. Herein are included fifteen reports describing projects conducted during the third year of the program, and a report evaluating the small grant program. The reports focus on:…

This proceedings includes the following papers: "Examining Learning Styles of Students in College of Agriculture" (Torres, Cano); "Developing a Scale to Research and Evaluate Youth Leadership Life Skills Development" (Seevers, Dormody, Clason); "Predicting Youth Leadership Life Skills Development among FFA (Future Farmers…