Contrasts naive beliefs about the nature of science with science as it appears from sociological and philosophical study, feminist critique, and insights from multicultural education. Pragmatic school science is situated within a framework that questions how we know and the recognition that even high-status knowledge can be challenged. (AIM)

Describes a study conducted at two Australian secondary schools that investigated relationships between perceptions of the classroom learning environment, approaches to learning, and self concept as a learner. Examines gender and age differences, describes measurement techniques used, and considers results of statistical analyses. (Contains 59…

Illustrates the use of auto- and biographical materials as part of a research process concerned with problematic aspects of learning science. Draws on an extended study of graphing among university students and research scientists, and on the autobiography and interview data from one of the authors to point out some of the sources of difficulties…

Explains that a portfolio is a collection of student work that reflects the course content and is assembled by the student in a folder or binder over a specified period of time. Discusses how to use portfolios, the benefits of using portfolios as assessment tools, and potential concerns teachers need to address. (CMK)

Argues that, although some bilingual pupils may be at a disadvantage in understanding scientific language, there may be some circumstances where being bilingual is an advantage in understanding scientific language. Presents evidence of circumstances where being bilingual was an advantage and circumstances where it was a disadvantage in…

Reviews recent research on student learning and motivation and applies conclusions to college instruction. Examines findings and instructional implications of the behaviorist model, the cognitive model, metacognition, learner-centered models, the unique learner, and motivation from a learning perspective. Concludes that the biggest variable in…

A model of expert tutors' knowledge of applied statistics was used to create a web-based computer coach that emulates human tutoring. Cognitive assessments are obtained from records of students' actions as, with the computer tutor's help, they learn to apply components of procedural knowledge required to solve problems. Learning is evaluated by…

Describes students' perceptions of a unique learning environment at a large Midwestern high school. Most students reported a positive experience and described the classroom as fun and exciting with real world relevance. However, findings also indicate that several students did not share these views and many students were not successful. (Contains…

Discusses preliminary research on a new heuristic tool for learning from laboratory activities in secondary science. Finds that use of the science writing heuristic facilitated students in generating meaning from data; making connections among procedures, data, evidence, and claims; and engaging in metacognition. (Contains 29 references.)…

Applies three distinct analyses to recorded and transcribed student conversations (n=240) about brine shrimps. The complementary analytic methods provide information on the content of pupils' conversations in terms of the observations made, the ways in which pupils make sense of their observations, and the ways in which students use conversation…

Authors were conducting research in different disciplines and carrying it out by apparently different methods. This combined paper is a reaction to their mutual discovery that the theories used by each to examine the data have interesting similarities. The two projects studied encouraged creative strategies and evaluative reflection in the…

Considers the issues facing the evaluation of online teaching and learning in higher education, based on experiences in the United Kingdom. Topics include characteristics of distance learning; evaluating learning technology; formative evaluation; summative evaluation; illuminative evaluation; integrative evaluation; evaluation for quality…

Summarizes the latest key brain research findings and invites educators to incorporate the biology of learning into teaching practices. Curriculum should be based on overarching concepts that help students understand and predict what is going on around them at school and in their communities. (PVD)

Provides information on the geography program at Liverpool Hope University College (England). Discusses geography research at Liverpool Hope and outlines the Geography for the New Undergraduate program, considering its impact on teaching and learning. Addresses the evolving research agenda for teaching and learning. (CMK)

Investigated effects of observational learning on preschoolers' attention to print, use of a questioning technique, and knowledge of the alphabet. Found that young children are able to extract a concept or rule through a brief exposure to observational learning. (SD)