High school students' misunderstandings of the conceptual machine of the BASIC programming language were examined using a screening test and structured interviews to determine their understanding of fundamental concepts such as variables, assignments, loops, flow and control, and tracing and debugging. (MBR)

Discusses the value of studying errors made by students in the process of learning science. Addresses 20 research questions dealing with student learning errors. Attempts to characterize errors made by students and clarify some terms used in error research. (TW)

Contains six abstracts of papers from the National Educational Computing Conference of 1986. Topics of the papers focus on the effects of teacher involvement, computer programs in applied mathematics and physics, microcomputer labs in science, graphing misconceptions, science simulations, and mastery learning with computers. (ML)

With consistently low levels of academic performance and high rates of absenteeism (Bourke & Rigby, 2000), the students in this study are the most educationally disadvantaged group in Australia with respect to mathematics. This paper reports on a study undertaken with Years 5-7 students in a Queensland aboriginal community to determine their…

This book develops an alternative account of Canada's operation of Indian residential schools and provides recommendations for undoing what has been done. Derived from a report on residential schooling submitted to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in October 1994, the book discusses the language and rhetoric surrounding residential…

Argues that children learn science more effectively when teachers begin with the ideas they already hold. Children can arrive at scientific understanding through careful teaching that includes discussion activities, practical investigations, or secondary sources. Getting children to discuss their ideas challenges their thinking and encourages them…

Citation analysis of freshman papers and faculty publications provided ranked order lists of journals: (1) retrieved from InfoTrac stations; (2) cited in freshman papers; (3) in which faculty publish; (4) cited in faculty articles; and (5) most frequently cited in published articles worldwide. Results emphasized the importance of recognizing…

Suggests that the curricular fit of climate change is best in Earth systems-oriented classrooms. Discusses the opposition to human-mediated climate change as a curriculum topic. (Contains 32 references.) (DDR)

Described are inconsistencies, definitions, and examples and their complex relationship which can be used to interpret students' reactions to the geometric tasks used to investigate inconsistencies in student thinking. Discusses the nature of definitions, the value of precise vocabulary, the use and limitations of prototypes, and the power of…

Reports findings of a study examining the opinions and awareness level of South African, Israeli, and United States undergraduates about conflicts in either the Middle East or South Africa. Finds religious and racial characteristics determining differences in knowledge level and political support. Reveals South African Blacks and U.S. students…

Points out a misconception that is reinforced in many elementary and advanced chemistry texts. Discusses the general limitations of the orbital concept. Notes misconceptions related to the transition elements and their first ionization energies. (MVL)

Reports on an attempt to bring about conceptual change in children's concept of speed by the teaching of the science of speed emphasizing an integrated hands-on experience. Reports that it may be possible to modify naive conceptions by teaching that targets particular concepts. (Author/YP)

Presents the mechanistic ideas underlying reactions between nucleophiles and carbonyl compounds as well as some popular misconceptions. Relates reactions of carboxylic acid derivatives to those of aldehydes and ketones. Discusses leaving group ability and the ability of carbonyl oxygen to accept a negative charge. (Author/MVL)

Illustrates the basis for misleading statements about the relationship between pH and acid content in acid rain. Explains why pH cannot be used as a measure of acidity for rain or any other solution. Suggests that teachers present acidity and pH as two separate and distinct concepts. (RT)

Assessed is the level of scientific and natural resource knowledge possessed by fourth-, eighth- and eleventh-grade students. Misconceptions are noted. Discussed are implications for teaching about acidic deposition. (CW)