When elementary schools integrate literacy and science instruction, they create rich learning environments that allow students to develop an understanding of science ideas while improving their reading, writing, and speaking skills at the same time. Neither subject takes a back seat. Literacy instruction supports science and science instruction…

Previous research on problem diagrams suggested that including a supportive diagram, one that does not provide necessary problem solving information, may bring little, or even negative, benefit to students' problem solving success. We tested the usefulness of problem diagrams on 12 different physics problems (6A/B experiments) in our massive open…

Although practical laboratory activities are often considered the linchpin of science education, asking students to produce many large practical reports can be problematic. Practical reports require diverse skills, and therefore do not focus the students' attention on any one skill where specific skills need to be enhanced. They are also…

Music is recognized as an effective mode of teaching young children but is rarely used in university-level science courses. This article reviews the somewhat limited evidence on whether and how content-rich music might affect college students' understanding of science and offers practical suggestions for incorporating music into courses. Aside…

The study has integrated the data from PISA 2006 to 2012 to give an overall picture of the cognitive and affective performances and pedagogy of East Asian regions on PISA scientific literacy. Attempts are made to account for their performances based on the PISA data and cultural characteristics. The cognitive science performance of East Asian…

In recent years, higher education has undergone many changes. The advent of assessment, accountability, and a newfound focus on teaching have required faculty to examine how they are teaching. Administrators and faculty are beginning to recognize that learning is not a "one size fits all" enterprise. To this end, Chickering and Gamson developed an…

Data from 60 observations of 10 teachers and 10 each of their students showed that type/quality of teaching strategy predicted 37 percent of variance in engagement and that the more indirect the teaching strategy, the greater the students' involvement in learning tasks. Implications of these and other findings are discussed. (Author/JN)

Examined management behaviors of junior high science teachers (N=16) and the relationship to task involvement of students operating in small group laboratory settings. Results of 91 observations indicate that teacher behavior was directed in three ways: whole class, small groups, and nonclass related. Implications for science instruction are…

Results of modifying mastery learning strategy to two diagnostic cycles with high school chemistry students (N=156) indicated that achievement of mastery learning students was significantly greater than that on nonmastery learning students. Attitudes toward science/science instruction were not significantly different but were positive in both…

Student involvement in 24 science classes (grades 8, 9, 10) during instruction involving teacher exposition, exposition with prop, and demonstration was videotaped. Findings indicated that only nine teachers used class demonstrations and that the increased levels of pupil attention and task involvement increased during demonstration lesson…

This study investigated the effects of three instructional strategies and student entry characteristics on student engagement and the acquisition of skills necessary for the construction and interpretation of line graphs. The strategies examined were an activity-based approach, a written simulation-based approach, and a combination of activity-…

Examined relationships between teaching behaviors and student engagement in 13 middle school science classes. Results indicated that seven managerial variables and four instructional variables were significantly related to student engagement rates. Types of tasks allocated by teachers were also significantly related to types of tasks undertaken by…

This paper advocates categorization of engagement on the basis of a logical relationship with the outcomes of a study and the use of student attributes that are logically related to engagement and/or achievement as covariables. Results from a study involving nine engagement categories, measures of formal reasoning ability, locus of control and…

Investigated effects of limited oral/physical teacher intervention on object manipulation by preschool/early elementary children (N=70). Experimental students had magnets placed in their hands and were orally invited to explore. Results indicated differences between experimental/control groups in time spent with objects, number of activities…

To determine which types and qualities of science teaching strategies stimulate students to become involved in learning, middle and high school students (N=147) were observed for time-on-task (time actively spent by the student in learning) and off-task during periods while being taught by five student teachers. The "Teaching Strategies…