Reviews science education reform movements of the 1950's, 1960's, and the present era; discusses recent reform proposals' assumptions and objectives and synthesizes their conclusions. In examining current efforts toward change in science curriculum, contrasts a "renewal" or "revival" movement, which seeks quantitative change, with a "reform"…

This study investigated relationships among locus of control, instructional mode, and achievement for externally and internally oriented students taught by the same instructor using two different teaching methods. A definite relationship was found among the variables, and internally oriented students attained higher achievement levels where…

Presents response to a survey in the March and May 1982 issues of the American Association of Physics Teachers "Announcer" on microcomputer use by physics instructors. Provides background information on microcomputers useful in determining choice of system components, including applications development. Appendices give information on machine and…

Summarizes existing outdoor education literature, identifying its values and the purpose it serves in the educational curriculum. Explores general goals of education, explains how outdoor education can help achieve these goals, and cites the need for training teachers in outdoor education. Concludes with a summary and recommendations for science…

Examines childrens' conceptual frameworks and, recognizing that they may be inaccurate, proposes such teaching strategies to aid students in modifying inadequate frameworks as: asking for ideas, listening respectfully, providing guided experiences, and encouraging discussion in non-threatening settings. Stresses learning as an active, thinking,…

Recounts experiences of an environmental biology class, highlighting the eight-day field trip that is the culmination of the course. Describes activities during the bus trip, a two-day canoe trip, and field work at the Ozark Underground Laboratory and Blanchard Springs Caverns. Also discusses the field journal and final examination. (JM)

Surveyed four samples of science/mathematics teachers to investigate teaching/learning practices that occur in Victoria classrooms. Results are reported and discussed under four categories: teacher characteristics; mediating influences (focusing on grouping); allocated time for instruction (including amount of time expected for homework); and…

The chemical content knowledge of secondary science teachers is seldom measured directly in developed countries as there are practical, ethical and political problems involved that would be likely to be insuperable. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), the author assisted in some of the work involved in the second IEA Science Study (SISS), where the PNG…

This thesis describes a project to design a primary school physics learning environment which takes into account teachers' needs, design procedures, properties of the learning environment, and pupil learning outcomes. The project's design team has wide experience in research and development work in relation to science education, the use of ICT in…

This book provides an overview of leadership in grades 6-12. Drawing upon theories based on cognitive and affective leadership and the role of leadership in gifted education, it discusses leadership as it pertains to research projects, problem solving, interpersonal communication, and decision-making. The book offers strategies for curriculum…

This document records testimony from a hearing held to examine how federal agencies can improve their individual and collective efforts to strengthen K-12 science and math education. Presenters and witnesses included: Representative Sherwood L. Boehlert, Chairman, Committee on Science, U.S. House of Representatives; Representative Bart Gordon,…

Under NCLB, students with severe disabilities are expected to make progress on state academic content standards in language arts, math, and science. But what material should educators teach from these three content areas, and how should they teach it? With this groundbreaking textbook, future educators will finally have the answers they need. The…

This study reports on the improvement of a teacher researcher's teaching practice by adopting a constructivist teaching approach. Four biology units on the nervous system, human circulatory system, evolution, and vertebrate classification were selected to illustrate a model of biology teaching. Data were drawn from student responses to…

This paper describes the experiences of first grade students as they are introduced to inquiry experiences and begin to develop skills and dispositions conducive to the practice of scientific literacy. The Guided Inquiry Instruction on light was the culmination of seven months of the teacher's professional development experiences in an orientation…

One purpose of this case study was to obtain information on the influence of the Detroit Urban Systemic Initiative (USI) on the frequency of implementation of constructivist-oriented, standards-based science and mathematics instructional practices. Information about the perceived adequacy of the curriculum for standards-based instruction was…