Examines the role of computers in investigating teaching and learning processes and concludes that computer based experiments can be effective if they meet the same requirements that must be met by direct instruction techniques. (Author/DB)

Investigates the effectiveness of different elements of diagnosis and prescription incorporated into help sessions for college science students. Results show that following laboratory classes with help sessions that are based on the results of diagnostic tests can alter achievement significantly, whether help sessions are directed by teacher or…

The effects of lecture versus laboratory method of teaching on the achievement of forty-six students enrolled in a unit on soil and water management (surveying) were studied. Results indicated no significant differences between groups as measured by cognitive and motor skill tests. (JH)

Discusses briefly Piaget's views on intellectual development as related to science teaching. Describes intellectual activities observed in science classrooms and shows how specific science lessons can be designed to encourage cognitive development. (GA)

In this experiment, the observation that, for meta- and para-substituted styrene derivatives, the magnitude of the C-13 shielding value for the beta-carbon is linearly related to sigma for the ring substituent is used to determine sigma. (BB)

In one option for this project, the rotation-vibration infrared spectra of a number of gaseous diatomic molecules were recorded, from which the fundamental vibrational wavenumber, the force constant, the rotation-vibration interaction constant, the equilibrium rotational constant, and the equilibrium internuclear distance were determined.…

Describes three simple experiments using Fermat's principle; a single reflection, Schwarz's triangle problem, and light triangle inscribed inside a circle. (GA)

The demonstrations and experiments described in this article are appropriate for junior high school and older students, including beginning students in college biology or botany. Included are culture and observation of zoospores, zoospore attraction to plant roots, and other topics. (BB)

Presents the following chemistry lecture demonstrations and experiments: (1) a versatile kinetic demonstration; (2) the Bakelite Demonstration; (3) applying Beer's law; and (4) entropy calculations. (HM)

Presents two experiments concerned with mapping skills. Directions are given for calculating the circumference of the earth and for developing a model of the solar system using familiar territory as a frame of reference. (MA)

Reviews several previously published uses of disposable plastic syringes and presents ten new uses in several different areas of physical science. (Author/GA)

Video cassette demonstrations are useful in teaching experimental techniques and instrumentation. This article describes how the recorded demonstrations save instructor and student time, how they can be integrated into a multimedia teaching format, and how recordings support student independence. (Author/BB)

A new method for determining the durations of mental events, the method of special effects, was developed and applied to a series of three experiments. The method measures the effects of various context stimuli on the speed of responses to a probe stimulus. By varying the interval between onset of context and probe, the time courses of these…

The evaluation by Abt Associates, Inc., of the Follow Through program, an extension of Head Start designed to improve primary education for disadvantaged children, created a controversy about the program and its assessment, which is discussed in this article. The authors see serious flaws in the evaluation design and interpretation. (MF)

Experiments studying the ability of catalog information to indicate the relevance and utility of documents by an analysis of the four main content indicating fields, e.g., the title, abstract, subject index phrases, and matching subject phrases are presented with data analysis. (Author/MBR)