Attempts to explore the extent of native science beliefs among students in secondary and tertiary institutions. Premise is based upon the assumption that the way in which individuals respond to traditional causal statements is indicative of their native science beliefs. Reveals that these beliefs are held by a substantial portion of students. (DDR)

Investigates whether viewing computer animations representing the process of diffusion and osmosis affects students' conceptions. Discusses the difficulties of implementing computer animations in the classroom. (Contains 27 references.) (YDS)

Analyzes senior high school students' astronomy conceptions by means of a written questionnaire presented during the beginning of the first semester. (Contains 42 references.) (Author/YDS)

Introduces an activity in which students build a fuse with steel, wood, light bulbs, copper wire, clay, and batteries. Uses the cross-age instructional approach to teach about the value of instructional time. Contains directions for building a fuse. (YDS)

The principal author of the 1992 study "How Schools Shortchange Girls" argues that too many proposed remedies are simplistic formulations based on the assumption that gender equity is "for girls only." Opportunities will widen for all students if educators acknowledge schooling's gender bias, review their own practices, and…

Presents information on using analogies in science instruction. Describes the Teaching-with-Analogies Model. Presents an example for homeostasis. (PR)

The dynamics of self-worth, confidence, and acceptance are much more complicated than portrayed in the simple self-esteem models promoted by today's educators. Because self-esteem is both a product and a motivating force, we can't simply label it as an instructional objective or value to be inculcated in children, independent of their performance.…

Describes an approach that motivates preservice teachers to become involved in the scientific experience. The approach involves a science demonstration or activity that is done both in and out of class in which students report observations using a Vee diagram. Includes assessment procedures. (DDR)

Argues that when the subject is the distortion of race and the promulgation of bias and stereotyping, even high-quality books are inappropriate for teaching and developing political debate. How these types of books have actually done more harm than good is explained with particular focus on "The Bell Curve" (Herrnstein and Murray, 1994)…

Argues that misunderstanding about the purpose of the salt bridge probably arises from a lack of explicit and adequate information in textbooks. Suggests a detailed teaching approach that describes the purpose of the salt bridge on the microscopic level. (DDR)

Rebuts Pat Ainsley's claims that an article by Coffield had overlooked the (British) government's new lifelong learning legislation's exclusion of higher education and the Learning and Skills Council's glaring deficiencies. Ainsley ignored eight reservations Coffield had made regarding the program's simplistic, probusiness orientation. (MLH)

Investigates the reasons for data fabrication among undergraduate and graduate students. Presents several examples of getting misled by the candle and tumbler demonstration. Concludes that presented facts, concepts, or principles increase the incidence of data cooking. (YDS)

Weak English-as-a-foreign-language students adopt several mistaken strategies to understand text or to perform text-based tasks. This article describes mistaken strategies, provides examples of each, explains the cause or causes of such mistaken approaches, and suggests possible solutions. (Author/VWL)

Describes materials developed for key stage 4 for the improvement of student thinking skills that are used to explain atomic structure and bonding. Tests student understanding by introducing seemingly plausible, yet possibly incorrect, explanations of situations. (Author/YDS)

Analyzes narrative essays--stories of rock formation--written by pre-service elementary school teachers. Reports startling misconceptions among preservice teachers on pebbles that grow, human involvement in rock formation, and sedimentary rocks forming as puddles as dry up, even though these students had completed a college level course on Earth…