Discusses the rationality of students' alternative frameworks by considering the role played by their beliefs, their understanding of other views, and the reasons for justification or rejection. Investigates the way in which 14-year-old boys see the effects of classroom learning experience on their ideas. (Author/YP)

Discusses the various needs of chemistry classes in community colleges. Describes a tutorial package using computers. Reports the students' verbal evaluations and a drop in the dropout rate. (YP)

Empirical evidence, using qualified science teachers, has shown that spatial attributes can be correlated with teaching methods. (MLF)

Use of probes and data-logging software to introduce dynamic line graphs to young children in the context of science investigations found this approach facilitated effective use of line graphs as models of relationships between variables. (Author/MKR)

The presentation of gas properties in terms of the qualitative-quantitative mode and gas law sequence is examined by analysis of 14 chemistry textbooks used in Australia and on questionnaires concerning teaching approaches by 104 teachers. Findings indicate that teaching involves minimal use of qualitative relationships of the gas laws and…

Describes the interplay of goals, teacher development, and assessment in the context of a yearlong research and development project designed to integrate the teaching of science, reading, and writing processes in a conceptually based, constructivist curriculum for middle school students who read below grade level. (ZWH)

This paper tracks the "computer attitudes" of over 150 undergraduates during their preservice teacher education program. Analysis includes a comparison of attitudinal change as a function of numerous demographic factors and a description of ways in which computers are being integrated into the preservice teacher education curriculum. (40…

Seventh-grade science students (n=22) wrote prompted essays, compare-contrast essays, and traditional end-of-chapter criterion-referenced tests. Results indicated that essay tests may be highly sensitive to instructional content and prompt design, and the validity of essays as measures of content learning relates more to goals of instruction than…

Uses case studies to explore the pedagogical reasoning ability of second-year preservice primary teachers. Reports that the framework provided in a problem-based science education course enabled the teachers to refine their reasoning ability and to integrate their science knowledge, curriculum knowledge, and knowledge of learners. (Author/JRH)

Reviews the objectives of laboratory work in chemistry education, current laboratory practice, and factors likely to impact on the nature of laboratory work in the future. Proposes that more investigation-style laboratory work be provided in order to foster the development of students' investigation skills. (Author/MKR)

Compares the success of two approaches to biology courses for underprepared community college students, one involving a hands-on approach emphasizing practice in basic scientific skills and the other involving a remediation-based approach focusing on basic vocabulary, reading, library, and math skills. Suggests that the hands-on approach provided…

Examines relationships between factors affecting high school students' (n=142) ability to acquire meaningful understanding of specific biological concepts. Assessment using mental modeling techniques showed a significant correlation between students' meaningful learning orientation and their understanding of a topic. Suggests that perhaps much…

Presents a play, "Winter Skies," that whimsically introduces children to various winter star constellations seen from the midnorthern latitudes of the United States. (PR)

Explains the advantages of having students write research proposals before conducting experiments for science fairs. Describes what should be in the research proposal. (PR)

Describes an experiment where elementary students determine the optimum angle of inclination for the greatest amount of distance a marble will roll when accelerated down an inclined plane. (PR)