This article focuses on the learning of the Lewis representation at the transition from high school to university, in France. Indeed, this notion is taught both in high school and in the first year of higher education but with different methods, which seems to hinder the learners. In this work, we observe 11th grade and higher education classes…

Background: In England, there is a growing need to improve the lives of secondary school students who are defined as disadvantaged and to support these students in their attainment and attitudes to secondary school science. Purpose: This paper reports on a project designed to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds by pairing them with…

Syllabi in the science subjects, biology, chemistry and physics at lower and general upper secondary school are compared in the light of their underlying philosophies, goals, objectives and recognized importance in science teaching. Even though all syllabi were prepared within the same framework, great differences among syllabi concerning…

The purpose of this paper is to present the mechanism for effective communication when the mathematical objects of learning are equations and functions. The presentation is based on data collected while the same object of learning is presented in two classes, and it includes two teachers and 45 students. Among other things, the data consists of…

The author examines the use of constructivist teaching practices by four new secondary school science teachers (NSTs) from a preparation program with a focus on constructivism. Data of the NSTs is compared to data of secondary school teachers from two different sources: (i) new teachers (NTs) from a broad-scale nationally-funded project involving…

The primary purpose of this study was to examine significant differences, if any, in student achievement in the area of math and science of students taught by traditionally certified teachers and alternatively certified teachers. This study examined alternatively certified teachers, as identified from through the Georgia TAPP (Teacher Alternative…

This article reviews and compares five recent secondary science texts: Addison-Wesley Life Science (Gr. 7-9); Prentice-Hall Life Science (Gr. 7-9); Scott Foresman Biology (Gr. 9-12); Biology: Living Systems (Gr. 10-12); and Biology: The Science of Life (Gr. 10-12). (SJL)

Describes a study that investigated whether exposure to multimedia and presentation software on laptop computers influenced student achievement in a high school science course. Compares results with the use of traditional paper-based materials and reports that computer use had a favorable effect on students' grades. (LRW)

This study replicates part of a 1964 study designed to examine variations in the attainment of cognitive objectives in high school chemistry. In 1964 a traditional curriculum was used, but by 1972 when the data for this study were collected, a modern course based on CHEM study was being used. Scores on a 60-item end-of-course test given to…

Examines the Piagetian levels of cognitive development, levels of creativity, and the correlational relationship between levels of cognitive development and creativity among biology students (N=90) from two diverse high schools, one urban and one rural. (CS)

The level of meaning (membership, partial association, or generalization) that English-speaking (N=1635) and Hindi-speaking students (N=823) preferred when thinking about each of 16 key concept definitions associated with the theme "the nature of matter" was measured for each concept. Results and implications for science instruction are…

Compares a particular student attitude, scientific curiosity, exhibited by different groups of secondary school students (N=322), including (1) boys and girls; (2) from the U. S. and Israel; and (3) those who choose to pursue careers in science. (CS)

The attitudes of two samples of 2,105 eighth and twelfth grade students in British Columbia and China toward computer studies, science, and writing were surveyed and compared. Results are discussed. (Author/MT)

Determines if grade nine students (N=98) experiencing similar instructional characteristics but participating in either mastery or traditional labs would demonstrate different concept retention levels. A matched pairs design was employed. Results indicate mastery-based instruction fosters an improvement in cognitive learning of students in this…

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a series of simulation dialogs utilizing certain computer capabilities. The series of simulations produced in the study parallel the fundamental, inductive experiments developed by the Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC) through which students generalize Newton's Second Law. Students…