This publication has been prepared as a leadership guide for science teachers, secondary school administrators, and teacher educators who desire to produce competent science teachers. Science taught as inquiry is the central theme, and the "processes of science" are recommended as the proper content for all courses. The guide is organized into…

This is a trainer's manual for the fourth of six components of the Instructional Staff Development (ISD) program. Where the previous components focused on a teacher-directed inquiry, the manual describes the goal of this component as the creation of an environment in which students can use self-directed inquiry. The manual notes a great deal of…

This trainer's manual for the fifth of six components of the Instructional Staff Development (ISD) program is designed to prepare teachers to develop a model for use in Pupil Centered Inquiry teaching (PCI). This component is said to build on the teacher's knowledge, skills, and attitudes gained in the first four components; the entire program is…

This study, conducted by a research team from the Behavioral Sciences Center of Nova University, investigated three features of the inservice teacher training program, connected with Project Impact in Jacksonville, Florida, which are not found in most projects involving performance contractors. First, Duval County was the first district to prepare…

This paper was written in response to an article entitled "Defining the Social Studies: An Explanation of the Three Traditions" by James L. Barth and S. Samuel Shermis. The three positions portray social studies as citizenship transmission; as social science; and as reflective inquiry. These authors favor the latter position, defined as a process…

Does the inquiry method really make a difference in educational development? Author launched a review of research literature reported during the past decade, with special focus on the use of inquiry for teaching the social studies. (Author/RK)

This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of one semester's instruction in science and mathematics, using an inquiry-based methodology, in facilitating cognitive growth in first year college students. Results indicated the inquiry approach did not promote cognitive growth in comparison with a more didactic or expository teaching…

Inquiry is defined here as the scientist's method of problem solving. Presents a bent wire phenomenon activity designed to engage students in the active process of solving a problem in science. A model is proposed to explain the phenomenon. (MA)

This paper describes a recently developed test battery which measures inquiry skills relevant to social studies teaching. The test is used to assess entry-level inquiry skills and to monitor student achievement progress. Field tested among Australian junior high school students, the test was shown to be reliable and valid. (BC)

Discusses a strategy by which students can explore social studies concepts by doing. Describes the use of counter examples to help students derive clear, concise definitions of terms and appropriate applications. Gives a set of rules by which definitions can be evaluated and presents example exercises. For journal availability, see SO 506 572.…

Offers information and suggestions for constructing and using essay questions for assessing inquiry learning. (Author/RK)

The Junior Great Books Discussion Method, a program of reading and discussion for elementary and secondary school students, features discussion leaders who focus on questions about the meaning of a reading selection and stress shared inquiry in reading interpretation. (Author/CB)

Although the knowledge and content of the sciences and humanities differ, the differences are superficial and a basic similarity is often overlooked. The disciplines use common intellectual or methodological principles for generating ideas and for justifying and defending conclusions. (MSE)

Addresses two empirical issues: (1) what are the observed characteristics of student question-asking? and (2) under what conditions do students exhibit questioning behavior? Reports the results of a study of question-asking in 27 classrooms and examines the conditions of student questioning which are related to student training, curriculum…

Teachers (N=146) using Science Curriculum Improvement Study were surveyed for their views on teaching disabled students in regular science programs. Results show that teachers feel positively about teaching disabled students (but also feel inadequate with this responsibility). Advantages and disadvantages of mainstreaming in elementary science are…