An analysis was conducted of 12 fourth-grade science and social studies lessons in which a textbook was used as a focus of instruction. The purpose was to determine how the textbook was used by teachers and students, and in particular, to determine what kinds of questions the teachers asked during the textbook-based lessons. The results replicate…

This practicum was designed to encourage middle school science teachers to utilize computer technology as an enhancement in order to provide students with an additional means of addressing their basic skills areas. The primary goals were to provide information on the ease of utilization of appropriate computer-managed software through networking…

This guide lists 21 software packages considered to be worthy of further consideration by other reviewing agencies and schools by a group of 12 computer coordinators from educational software preview centers and evaluation agencies. These software products have been selected as not being likely to appear in the reviews produced by major software…

Begun in 1983, the Math English Science Technology Education Project (MESTEP) is a collaborative effort among the University of Massachusetts, a network of Massachusetts school systems, and private corporations, designed to recruit into teaching academically talented college graduates with degrees in math, English, and science. MESTEP is an…

Intended to help elementary school children learn about the resources of the Everglades and Biscayne National Parks, this activity book includes information, puzzles, games, and quizzes. The booklet deals with concepts related to: (1) the seasons; (2) fire ecology; (3) water; (4) fish; (5) mammals; (6) mosquitos; (7) birds; (8) venomous snakes;…

Between 40% and 50% of Chemistry 103 registrants at the University of Maryland at College Park earn D, F, or W grades. Registrants for Chemistry 103 were randomly selected to participate in a pre-course refresher consisting of listening to as many as seven audio-tutorial tapes on the basic concepts and calculations of chemistry. Records were kept…

Based on the assumption that teaching behavior is influenced or determined by teachers' theories and beliefs of teaching, this study sought to examine how middle school science teachers perceive their instructional roles and how they go about improving their instructional effectiveness. Eleven teachers from two middle schools of the Midwest…

The goal of this paper is to sketch the epistemological roots of constructivism, to clarify certain implications of Piaget's constructivist theory for science education, and to explicate the issues surrounding a specific research study and its replication. Constructivist epistemology is described in terms of its emergence from rationalist,…

This paper focuses specifically on the reasoning skill called proportional reasoning. Areas addressed include: (1) a definition (providing examples of direct and indirect proportional reasoning); (2) the development of proportional reasoning (discussing survey results of students logical reasoning abilities); (3) planning for the future (proposing…

The Mastery Learning (ML) program in New York City high schools allows teachers to divide course curriculum for English, science and social studies into small learning units which pupils master at their own speed. After a number of units have been completed, summative tests are given. Program goals include better attendance, achievement, and…

Designed to present interesting facts about science and to heighten the curiosity of primary age students, this book contains activities about the natural world and numerous black and white illustrations. The first section focuses on trees and investigates types common to all states and climates. A tiny seed mascot, known as Ollie Acorn,…

Designed to present interesting facts about science and to heighten the curiosity of primary age students, this book contains activities about the natural world and numerous black and white illustrations. The activities focus on animals that can be cared for as pets, both at home and in the classroom. An introductory section contains a song, pet…

The space shuttle simulation, Totally Enclosed Modular Environment (TEME), was developed as a means for students to study group dynamics and how people adapt to their environment. This paper highlights features of this project. Topics reviewed include: (1) its historical development (tracing its origins as a year-long ecology course to current…

This conference was convened to identify the most important problems and opportunities facing science teaching in secondary schools and to suggest the most practical means of addressing them. The report highlights issues involving science and technology education which were addressed at the conference. Information is presented in three major…

A self-paced program designed to integrate the use of computers and physics courseware into the regular classroom environment is offered for physics high school teachers in this module on projectile and circular motion. A diversity of instructional strategies including lectures, demonstrations, videotapes, computer simulations, laboratories, and…