This study investigated and compared the level of initial and long-term retention of frog internal anatomy among students using an interactive CD tutorial, a desktop microworld, and conventional frog dissection. Students' anxiety toward science was also compared across the three treatment groups and between genders. Additional data on students'…

Sharply rising enrollments in undergraduate biology, spurred by the growing importance of the life sciences in society, have led university faculty members across the country to experiment with new ways of teaching students. This report documents change in the nation's classrooms; specifically, it focuses on a sample of institutions that are…

Despite rising enrollments, college biology education has until recently lagged behind other science disciplines in reforming undergraduate instruction. However, new approaches are emerging, including introductory classes that focus more on concepts, laboratory assignments that are increasingly sophisticated, and more in-depth curricula for…

Described is a course focused on how women are globally connected through experiences with technology. Specific topics include computers, world hunger, reproductive strategies, and solid waste disposal. Discussed is the impact of the class on students and the faculty. (KR)

Presents integrated activities for mathematics and biology appropriate for various levels from grades five through eight. Explores interesting aspects of human fingernails and hair growth and their mathematical relationship to time. Provides suggestions to integrate the activities with technology. (MDH)

Describes undergraduate projects at Harvey Mudd College (California) that use advanced laboratory equipment and procedures normally reserved for graduate students. Examples are given in experimental biology (e.g., digital imaging and DNA analysis), in physics (e.g., using satellites to study earthquake faults), and in mathematics (e.g., teaching…

Describes a survey of Illinois school library collections in three areas of science. The survey goals were to quantify the need for increased funding; offer a collection assessment tool; determine whether schools had resources needed to support state science education goals. (five references.) (KRN)

The quality and quantity of science classroom interactions in relationship to gender were identified. The observational variables included level of question, type of response, method of attraction, target student gender, teacher gender, and class enrollments. The results suggest that female students have fewer interactions with science teachers…

Discussed is the possibility that the salmon found in the Columbia River (Idaho) is an endangered species. A list of threatened or endangered animal species in the Pacific Northwest is included. Activities that deal with the topics of diversity, endangered species, and what is being done about them are provided. (KR)

A remedial biology course that employed six planned strategies to guide program activity is described. Team planning and team teaching, mastery learning, process skill emphasis, technology emphasis, positive reinforcement grading, attendance incentives, student achievement, student attitudes, parent attitudes, and implications are topics of…

A program for introducing beginning college biology majors to library resources is described. The scientific writing course, ineffective and effective writing assignments, and the response by students are discussed. Seven steps in tracking down a research article are included. (KR)

Describes a program developed at City University of New York (CUNY) Medical School that was designed to facilitate learning and retention of difficult concepts and principles in first-year biology and chemistry courses. Topics addressed include small group interaction, cooperative learning, mastery learning, interactive technology, and information…

Describes the use of the computer in the laboratory for data acquisition and analysis--specifically a method to measure the respiration rate in aquatic organisms. Demonstrates the use of computer-interfaced pH measurement in the introductory biology laboratory. (PR)

The performance of 254 Israeli twelfth graders on multiple-choice tests with positive or negative item stems was studied. For items requiring low cognitive reasoning, performance does not differ, but, for items requiring high cognitive reasoning, the negative mode is more difficult. Implications for test construction are discussed. (SLD)

This study used a 2-by-4 factorial design crossing the amount of information about snakes with the level of involvement students had with live specimens to evaluate the effects of an intensive environmental education experience on the attitudes of fifth- through eighth-grade students (n=502) toward wildlife. (Contains 24 references.) (MDH)