The role of computation in science is ever-expanding and is enabling scientists to investigate complex phenomena in more powerful ways and tackle previously intractable problems. The growing role of computation has prompted calls to integrate computational thinking (CT) into science instruction in order to more authentically mirror contemporary…

In this study, two middle-school teachers who participated in a professional development program utilizing the transformative professional development (TPD) model are followed as they embarked upon becoming culturally relevant science teachers of Hispanic students. Using Ladson-Billings (1994) theory of culturally relevant pedagogy, teacher…

This study examines the impact of standards-based professional development on teacher efficacy and instructional practice of elementary and middle school science teachers. Professional development activities were conducted over a period of 3 years and included content courses as well as teacher involvement in professional learning communities.…

Assesses the effects of model viewing and instruction in teaching strategy analysis on preservice teachers' selection of science teaching strategies and their attitude toward the role of the student. Results indicated model viewing and teaching strategy analysis instruction both positively affected teaching style and attitude. (SL)

Investigates the effect of three models of teaching college astronomy on knowledge acquisition, based on the principles of kinetic structure analysis and the psychological concept of mass versus distributed practice. Results indicate that distributed integration is better than nondistributed integration in teaching certain fields in astronomy. (HM)

Investigated was the adequacy of a teaching-learning model for improving the level of achievement and attitudes of culturally deprived children in heterogeneous classes, while offering adequate learning opportunity to those who were not deprived. A seventh grade biology course on aquatic zoo ecology was developed for this model. (Author/HM)

Describes a heuristic model that facilitates the conceptualization of linguistic-imaginal processes and forms the basis for a method of relating learner aptitudes to specific instructional stimuli in science education. (MLH)

Applies a theory of analogical thinking as satisfaction of multiple constraints to the use of analogies in instruction. It shows how the strengths of particularly good analogies and the weaknesses of particularly bad ones can be understood in terms of pragmatic, semantic, and structural constraints. The constraints suggest lessons for how…

This study attempted to investigate relationships between pupil achievement and teacher verbal activity. Twelve teachers were recorded/observed teaching four lessons each to groups of 10 sixth-grade children. Results were not significant. (SL)

Investigated were 286 third-year elementary education students to determine instructor characteristics which most enhanced credibility in courses intended to develop a positive attitude toward teaching science. High credibility characteristics included: reference to practical activities, modeling teaching modes, past teaching experience,…