School leaders should realize that consultants cannot substitute for developing collective actions within the organization. The "Consultant from Oz Syndrome" stems from placing undue confidence in external sources, confusing consultants with magicians, and denying their limitations. While journeying down the yellow brick road of…

Responds to Martyn Hammersley's allegations that the author's discussion of positivism and differentiation-polarization theory is misguided by demonstrating that he has misunderstood or misrepresented the author's position. Suggests that the enlightenment "aspect of the political arithmetic" tradition has much to recommend it as a…

Discusses the legitimacy of teaching about astrology, extrasensory perception, UFOs, touch therapy, cloning dinosaurs, or any other unusual claims in the classroom. Suggests that bringing unusual claims to the science classroom is an opportunity to motivate students in the principles of scientific thought. (SAH)

Discusses the claims of tabloids and television that the U.S. mission to the moon was faked. Recommends using samples brought back from the moon on the Lunar Sample Disk as instructional material to open a discussion. Makes suggestions for examining lunar rocks. (YDS)

Introduces a physics activity on buoyancy. Includes a list of materials and the procedure for the activity. (YDS)

Both a control group and experimental group (23 students each) received a lecture on direct current circuits; the experimental group also participated in a lab using a device explaining an analogy for electric current. The experimental group's posttest scores were much higher, indicating that the analogical device helped overcome student…

Baseball is a practical teaching tool that both educators and students can relate to. Despite popular misconceptions, baseball offers sound educational methodologies, and its concepts and practices provide a model for effective teaching. Coaches have high performance expectations, measure success against specific outcomes, allow increased practice…

Describes a computer-assisted personalized assignment system used to prepare and present conceptual, qualitative questions to large introductory science classes. Several sample questions are included and discussed. Contains 18 references. (DDR)

Examines the reasoning behind views of atoms and molecules held by students (n=48) and investigates how mental models may assist or hamper further instruction in chemistry. Reports that students prefer models of atoms and molecules that depict them as discrete, concrete structures. Recommends that teachers develop student modeling skills and…

While the Department of Education boasts lower of school dropout rates, graduation rates are also decreasing in some areas. Although the percentage of students graduating on time has remained unchanged, the percentage of noncompleters who eventually get a high school diploma (through a GED or alternative program) increases yearly. Inadequate…

Discusses the image the populace has of mathematics. Suggest ways of overcoming the misconception of mathematics. (ASK)

Explores faulty models that students have for physiological processes. Undergraduate students (N=393) in three different research universities predicted the changes in heart rate, strength of cardiac contraction, breathing frequency, and depth of breathing under conditions that result in increased cardiac output. Contains 23 references. (DDR)

Presents materials to stimulate active learning through modified concept mapping activities designed to help students appreciate alternative perspectives by using cartoons as a stimulus and focusing on the links within a concept map fragment, and encouraging the probing of understanding by annotating the linking words. (Author/YDS)

Describes two studies investigating children's views of their internal body maps. Reports that the majority of 8-9 year old children did not connect tubes and organs in their drawings, and the majority of 7-11 year old children drew relatively small, unconnected, and freely suspended organs. (Author/YDS)

Describes a study of the ability of fourth-year university student-teachers to use their theoretical knowledge of redox concepts to interpret natural phenomena of everyday life. Uses word-association tests, multiple-choice and open questions and reports that the students have difficulties in recognizing the scientific nature of well-known everyday…