Reports on a study designed to investigate secondary school students' misconceptions of conservation principles and fields. Results indicate that misconceptions appear to persist and that students were unable to transfer knowledge readily. Also teachers appear not to be fully aware of students' misconceptions. (ML)

Offers perspectives on research related to students' ideas about science prior to instruction. Discusses possible origins of prior knowledge, the requirements for conceptual change, and reviews instructional implications. (ML)

Cognitive and situative theories have both proved very useful in furthering our understandings of mathematics learning. An important current area of investigation is to synthesize these perspectives in order to provide more robust theories of learning and to bring theory and practice into better relations with each other. This paper contributes to…

The main author of this paper (J.W.) wrote the original as two separate essays for a Bachelor of Education unit at Northern Territory University (The Teaching of Science: EBE 483) for the second author (B.P.). This unit contains as a major component student/teacher research on children's ideas (misconceptions) in science. This paper seems very…

This essay is based on the author's presentation at the Wachman Fund's 2003 history institute, "Teaching Japan." An overview of Japan's educational system and common misconceptions about Japanese schools are presented. American resistance to comparative education ins general is also discussed. By setting aside traditional biases against…

The Big Mac can be effective tool in helping students achieve a better understanding of Japan. It can defeat Orientalist stereotypes about the Japanese--and also challenge young people who might have oversimplified notions of what exactly occurs when U.S. fast food chains take root in another culture. Many deride McDonald's as a villain…

This publication from the EnergySmart Schools initiative, a program that focuses on improving communities nationwide through energy-saving solutions, examines some myths and misconceptions about energy in schools and provides facts that can help school districts make smarter energy choices. The myths discussed are: (1) energy isn't a major budget…

This essay explains two ways in which "the rural" serves as context. The common way interprets the rural lifeworld as an impediment to certain projects and goals, thus framing "the rural" as a subjugated and diminished reality. The other way is called "the rural circumstance" in order to situate the rural lifeworld as…

A former principal of a nongraded elementary school discusses the nongraded, multiage philosophy, effects of multiage grouping, prevalent misconceptions, and suggestions from practice. Critics often mistakenly characterize multiage classrooms as homogeneous, unstructured, and team-taught; appropriate for kindergarten and primary children only;…

Examines how children's misconceptions regarding scientific phenomena change over time through instruction and other mechanisms. Asserts that Piagetian and Vygotskian theories offer insights into children's misconceptions related to how they are formed and how they are influenced by personal experience and social factors, and that these theories…

Raises a number of questions about knowledge generation from mathematics education and the nature of pedagogical information in the field. Considers two main activities within the realm of mathematics education: (1) pursuing investigations to improve instruction and (2) redefining the boundaries of mathematics as a subject. (DDR)

Argues that the greatest barrier to science education is overcoming students' naive conceptions of science. Recommends helping students to maintain a sense of dissatisfaction with their archaic notions of the nature of science, essentially a philosophical sense of the difficulty of the problems involved. (SM)

Explains the misconceptions found in the traditional textbook presentation of the theory and the history of the theory of evolution. Outlines a more accurate and complete telling of the history of the discovery of evolution by natural selection. Contains 50 references. (DDR)

Summarizes current research on ability grouping of academically gifted students. Findings show that advanced students benefit more academically than low-ability students from homogeneous grouping; homogeneous groups are more academically and socially beneficial for all abilities than heterogeneous grouping; continuous progress makes an academic…

To acquaint school administrators with their legal responsibilities toward special-needs students, this article explores several common misconceptions. In actuality, disabled students would languish without special-education services; federal laws are not overly complicated; legal ignorance is no excuse for delegating responsibility; students with…