Presents a study that investigated relationships between gender, interest, and experience in electricity. Also explored the effect of conceptual change text manipulations on learning fundamental concepts of direct current. Suggests that conceptual change text manipulations are likely to be effective for both men and women. Contains 57 references.…

Recommends a constructivist approach to physics laboratory activities to make laboratories a place for personal maturation and cognitive growth. Describes class design in which ideas and techniques are exchanged which allow students the opportunity to initiate investigations based on early conceptual assumptions, and extend the investigation…

Presents a selection of Web-based reference resources in the earth and physical sciences, focusing in particular on geology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and weather. Sites listed are those likely to be of broad interest, and most or all of the contents of the resources listed are available for free. (Author)

Distance education courses available on the World Wide Web can be text-based e-mail classes or interactive multimedia presentations. Highlights two interactive multimedia sites for physics and provides addresses for similar sites offering distance learning. Discusses considerations for getting an interactive multimedia course on the Web for…

Describes and evaluates an attempt to teach about Brownian motion and to simultaneously draw out lessons about the nature of science. Outlines the learning tasks, summarizes and analyzes student responses from a questionnaire. (DDR)

Presents an activity devised as a method of introducing periodic functions that can enable students to gain a deeper understanding of the concept of function. Employs a calculator-based laboratory, a light sensing probe, and an appropriate calculator. Calculator programs and sample data are included. (DDR)

This study compared the achievement of biology, physics, and chemistry students in Higher Level (HL) International Baccalaureate (IB) programs with achievement of students in Subsidiary Level (SL) IB programs and regular Alberta (Canada) programs (n=708 students). Students in IB out-performed students in regular programs. Within IB, HL and SL…

Describes an activity that demonstrates among the following: diffusion; cohesion and adhesion; properties of surface tension which include wicking, hydrophilic, and hydrophobic molecular behaviors; and break up of fat clusters by liquid dishwashing detergent. (DDR)

Describes the use of videotapes to introduce experiments in a first-year undergraduate physics laboratory and investigates the effects on students' attitudes and achievement. Concludes that students responded positively to the video introductions but student performance was not improved. Discusses other positive outcomes of the videos. Contains 12…

Explores learning processes in 8th grade physics classrooms in Germany. Collects data with regard to cognitive, cognitive-emotional, and emotional variables. Shows that positive emotions are more important in acquisition than in practice, and anxieties play an ambiguous role in practice. Indicates that joy about learning is linked to successful…

Explains the place of science process skills in a quality science program. Introduces activities for the basic and integrated science skills that will lead to an understanding of basic elements of scientific literacy. Presents definitions, sample activities, and assessment techniques for classifying, measuring, and using space and time…

Examines the effects of using interactive digital video on student learning and attitudes in an introductory physics course. Results indicate that sophisticated instructional video software can be perceived by students as easy to use and effective. The software can also be used to promote active learning. Contains 48 references. (Author/JRH)

Presents activities that allow students to explore the fundamental but poorly understood concept of diffusion by appealing to their kinesthetic senses first, then challenging their analytical skills as they try to deduce the mathematical principle involved. Presents a computer simulation of diffusion and discusses diffusion's limitations and…

Presents a protocol that gives students hands-on experience in generating a meaningful physical map of a circular molecule of DNA. Topics include agarose gel electrophoresis, logic of restriction maps, extracting data from an agarose gel, managing data from gels, experimental protocol, loading gels, electrophoresis, photographing gels, collecting…

Informs teachers about using concept maps as a learning tool and alternative assessment tools in education. Presents research results of how students might use concept maps to communicate their cognitive structure. (Author/KHR)