The purpose of this study was twofold. First, it was aimed to identify Turkish pre-service physics teachers' knowledge and understanding of the Moon, Moon phases, and other lunar phenomena. Second, the effects of model-based teaching on pre-service teachers' conceptions were examined. Conceptions were proposed as mental models in this study. Four…

This study examined university students' knowledge of and attitudes (n = 378) toward biotechnology in Slovakia, a conservative country where the distribution of genetically engineered products are banned by law. We found a significant positive correlation between attitudes and the level of knowledge; however, although students enrolled in biology…

"Primary Science Review's" original "Wobbly Bits" series of articles was born back in 1997, after a conversation about this problem at a meeting of the ASE Primary Committee. The conversation turned to primary science teachers' scientific learning journeys. Each one of them could recount a story where they had completely misunderstood an aspect of…

This paper identifies several areas of database modeling and design that have been problematic for students and even are likely to confuse faculty. Major contributing factors are the lack of clarity and inaccuracies that persist in the presentation of some basic database concepts in textbooks. The paper analyzes the problems and discusses ways to…

This study investigated the effectiveness of conceptual change texts in remediating high school students' alternative conceptions concerning chemical equilibrium. A quasi-experimental design was used in this study. The subjects for this study consisted of a total 78 tenth-grade students, 38 of them in the experimental group and 40 of them in the…

Contemporary researchers often refer to the information processing paradigm to exlain the relative ineffectiveness of contemporary instructional techniques for modifying incorrect scientific concepts that students often bring to a learning situation. As a result of this research, instructional procedures have been developed that maximize the…

In this book the author describes six teaching myths that prevent reform in education. These myths impact all students, but have a detrimental effect on low-performing students-those with disabilities or risk factors. Based on her perspective as a longtime classroom teacher and teacher educator, Dr. Snider examines the beliefs that guide teaching…

Presents research on different techniques to determine the level of understanding among middle school students regarding the phases of the moon. Quotes student responses to provide some insight into students' level of understanding of general knowledge about the moon, moon phases, and modeling the phases. Presents implications for teachers. (KHR)

Investigates the relationship between traditional physics textbook problem solving and conceptual understanding. Reports that students had many of the well-known conceptual difficulties with basic mechanics and that there was little correlation between the number of problems solved and conceptual understanding. (Contains 21 references.)…

Discusses examples from research of how students' misconceptions underlie their difficulties in interpreting kinematics graphs, possible underlying causes, and promising remedies. (KHR)

The experimental/analogy group scored significantly higher than the control group on a posttest question that required the definition of diffusion (n=77 community college students). Hypothetico-deductive reasoning skill was significantly related to correct application of the diffusion concept to a change from the misapplication of the polarity and…

Explores the effects of the square-cube law that predicts the physical consequences of increasing or decreasing an object's size. Uses examples to discuss the economy of scales, common misconceptions, and applications of scaling laws. (JRH)

Kinesthetic apparatus make physics learning experiences stimulating, memorable, and influential in helping students relate natural phenomena to the laws of physics. Describes a number of experiments and demonstrations that are possible with kinesthetic apparatus, which help eradicate some traditional student misconceptions and provide students…

Analysis of essays by first-year college students on humanities and social science subjects suggests that problems in style and structure stem from student misunderstandings of discipline-specific assumptions and conventions concerning critical analysis and "argument." Discussions and models can help students create new, academically…

A mechanical analogy between the microscopic motion of a charged carrier in an ordinary resistor and the macroscopic motion of a ball falling along a slanted board covered with a lattice of nails is introduced. The Drude model is also introduced to include the case of inelastic collisions. Computer simulation of the motion is described. (KR)