This study presents a formative evaluation of "The Intelligent Physics Tutor," an interactive software program designed to improve high school physics students' problem-solving skills. The purposes of this evaluation were to describe how the "Tutor" was used in the pilot high school class; to determine teacher and student…

The purpose of this report is to examine how well students in Massachusetts are meeting the Goals of Education, as measured by the Massachusetts Education Assessment Program (MEAP). The first section of this report defines various levels of proficiency and then compares different groups within the student population in terms of the percentages…

The Zimbabwe Secondary School Science Project (ZIM-SCI) developed student study guides, corresponding teaching guides, and science kits for a low-cost science course which could be taught during the first 2 years of secondary school without the aid of qualified teachers and conventional laboratories. This ZIM-SCI study guide is a four-part unit…

One area explored in the second (in-depth) phase of the Learning in Science Project was "children's science," defined as views of the world and the meanings for words that children have and bring with them to science lessons. The investigation reported focuses on students' thinking regarding their views on gravity. Students (N=42) were…

The limits inherent in field experiences are significant challenges to teacher educators in preservice teachers' preparation. One key challenge is having preservice teachers understand the complexities of what happens in the classroom. This article describes lessons we have learned through the creation of a multimedia case study that have given us…

Essays on the use of journal writing in the classroom are presented in four sections: the language of speculation, journals in the teaching of English, the arts and humanities, and the quantitative disciplines. Titles and authors are as follows: (1) "Dialectical Notebooks and the Audit of Meaning" (A. E. Berthoff); (2) "Desert…

The major perspectives on problem solving of the twentieth century are reviewed--associationism, Gestalt psychology, and cognitive science. The results of the review on teaching problem solving and the uses of computers to teach problem solving are included. Four major issues related to the teaching of problem solving are discussed: (1)…

This document reviews a collection of activities conducted by the Department of Physics at Virginia Commonwealth University to excite young people about physics so that they will be more likely to consider physics as a career. The Society of Physics Students performs demonstrations of physics experiments for Virginia high school physics classes…

The Grade 12 Diploma Examination Program, an integral part of high school diploma requirements, is intended to develop and maintain excellence in educational standards through certification of academic achievement. It consists of course-specific examinations that are based on the prescribed Program of Studies for Senior High Schools for the…

Average salary increases for 2,581 faculty in the field of physics are reported for 1982-1983 and 1985-1986, as part of the College and University Personnel Association's annual faculty salary studies. Included are comparative data for 108,074 faculty at 174 public colleges and 193 private colleges, representing 41 academic disciplines. In 1982,…

An analysis of science teacher's knowledge of specific biology and physics topics and the effects of this knowledge on their planning for instruction and on simulated teaching are discussed in this report. Six experienced secondary school teachers participated in the study. Each teacher's knowledge of a biology topic and a physics topic was…

Trends in enrollments and degrees for physics and astronomy students are examined, based on the American Institute of Physics' annual Survey of Enrollments and Degrees. A total of 787 physics and/or astronomy degree-granting departments were contacted. Information is included on: physics enrollments and degrees awarded by academic year, 1974-1986;…

This report assesses the results of the administration, during June of 1987, of the Grade 12 diploma examinations in the Province of Alberta, Canada. Most of the data is tabulated. The examination program consists of course-specific examinations that are based on the prescribed Program of Studies for Senior High Schools for the following courses:…

Results of the American Institute of Physics' 1985 annual employment survey in physics and astronomy are presented in table form accompanied by narrative analysis. Information includes: time spent by 1984-85 physics degree recipients in securing employment, by degree level; changes in occupational status of physics and astronomy degree recipients…

Results of the American Institute of Physics' 1986 annual employment survey in physics and astronomy are presented in table form accompanied by narrative analysis. Information includes: time spent by 1985-86 physics degree recipients in securing employment, by degree level; changes in occupational status of physics and astronomy degree recipients…