Ability to distinguish between causal (cause-effect) and teleological (means-ends) explanations was measured in 1905 twelfth-grade biology students and found to be dependent on student knowledge. Although the inability to make these distinctions contributes to misconceptions in biology, appropriate instruction can easily remedy the problem. Sample…

Analyzes effects of different student backgrounds on success in an introductory college biology class. Students with BSCS Yellow Version high school courses were consistently superior to other groups. Results consistent with Ausubel's Theory of learning. (AL)

Following a discussion of the role and importance of practical laboratory tests, describes an instrument designed for inquiry-oriented practical examinations. The instrument consists of 21 categories representing different inquiry skills. Examples and illustrative data based on results in biology matriculation examination in Israel are reported.…

An evaluation instrument, the Concept Inventory, was designed to be diagnostic, and to be helpful for student self-evaluation. A sample test instrument is shown along with some sample results. A discussion of test results is included. A bibliography is appended. (AJ)

Presents an inventory instrument designed to facilitate conversation, communication, and assessment of programs and goals in secondary science teacher education. (SL)

This report reviews some goals for laboratory activities in contemporary science teaching, discusses an investigation that analyzed and compared laboratory activities from two major physics guides, and discusses the implications of the goals and analysis for physics teaching. Six major deficiencies in the two laboratory handbooks are identified.…

Reports results of a study of biology classes in Israel that includes describing transactions in a representative sample of biology classes (N=22) in the year 1973, comparing transactions in recitation with those of laboratory lessons, and studying the effects of subject matter on the classroom transaction. (CS)

Achievement scores of Israeli high school students using Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) materials were shown to be significantly higher than those for students using another curriculum. (MLH)

Investigates the performance, gender differences, interrelationships among five tasks, relationship with paper and pencil tests, relationships with background variables, and contribution of schools from the Israel data of the Second International Science Study (SISS). Compares the Israeli results with those of Japan. (YP)

Two dilemmas occur in studying Darwin's Theory of Evolution. One, concerning pedagogy, is solvable by offering theory basics in middle school and in-depth study in high school. Another, concerning faith, is extremely sensitive. The paper discusses successful approaches, noting the place of Darwin's theory in all-elective high school biology. (SM)

This study examines the relationship between teachers' and students' priorities regarding instructional practices and the actual occurrence of these practices in the classroom. A Likert-type inventory provided the data. Levels of agreement varied. The validity of the results and their implications for curriculum evaluation and instruction are…

Described is a study which (1) examines opinions and attitudes of students towards various aspects of using living animals in studying biology and (2) identifies variables that affect student attitudes and opinions. Results include the finding that most students clearly favor live animal studies. (CS)

Reported is a study to determine the attitudes of Israeli high school biology teachers to the Israeli adaptation of the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) curriculum. Blankenship's Attitude Inventory, designed to determine teachers' reactions to BSCS materials, was translated into Hebrew. Copies were mailed to 200 high schools in Israel.…

Describes the interrelations of inquiry-oriented curricula and the development of inquiry skills and scientific curiosity among high school students in Israel. Results for whole classes seem to indicate a high correlation between inquiry performance and level of curiosity, but this is not reflected in the performance of individuals. (Author/BB)

Reports on the administration of a biology cognitive preference test to 177 science-oriented high school students. Subjects were asked to rank responses or "extension statements" to items according to their preference. It was found that the high-ability students as a group had a very high preference for questioning and low preference for recall.…