Uses two studies to examine developmental and task effects in estimation problems. Results are discussed in terms of student and task characteristics and the implications of such variables on information processing model of learning. Implications for science teaching, learning problem diagnostics, and science curricula are also discussed. (TW)

Discusses the benefits of five short science courses offered to middle school age children and their parents. Reports on the participants' reactions, two to three years after taking the courses, to the course experiences, the influence of the courses on learning behavior, and the relationship between the parents and their children. (TW)

Discusses educational efforts in the fields of Computer Assisted Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM). Describes two educational training initiatives underway in the United Kingdom, one of which is a resource materials package for teachers of CAD/CAM at the undergraduate level, and the other a training course for managers of CAD/CAM systems. (TW)

The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) developed this document as a resource for high school administrators, parents, and teachers who are interested in developing guidelines for physics curriculum and instruction in their school(s). These guidelines reflect the goals of the AAPT, with an emphasis on instructional strategies and…

This paper reports on an on-going action research study of the elementary school science education courses at the University of Victoria in Canada. The Department of Social and Natural Sciences requires that professors evaluate their teaching effectiveness annually using a variety of methods such as student evaluations, peer observations, course…

This study examines thought, language, and related action in sixth-graders working to understand concepts related to mass, volume, and density. Students from a heterogeneous urban classroom worked in various social contexts including individually, in pairs, in groups of four, and as a class. Their work was examined via videotapes, field notes,…

The Plant Information Center (PIC) is a project funded under the Institute of Museum and Library Studies that aims to provide global access to both primary and secondary botanical resources via the World Wide Web. Central to the project is the development and employment of a series of applications that facilitate resource discovery, interactive…

The main objective of this program was to produce animated educational material to stimulate students' interest and learning process related to the sciences and to measure their impact. The program material was designed to support middle school educators with an effective, accessible, and novel didactic tool produced specifically to enhance and…

A number of voluntary organizations such as the Wildlife Institute, Educational Conservation Society, American Forestry Association, American Nature Association, etc., are devoting their efforts to stimulation of a more nearly adequate appreciation of the place conservation holds in our national life. It is more and more generally realized that we…

The committee on science of the Commission on the Reorganization of Secondary Education has carried on its work by means of discussions, correspondence, and formulation of preliminary reports for over seven years. The discussion of preliminary reports by groups, committees, and at meetings of science teachers has revealed progressive work already…

Describes a system using a microcomputer and student response pad which obtains and records individual student reactions during a given classroom situation. The system can be used during tests, quizzes, lectures, discussions, and student presentations with the data bank available for immediate feedback. (SK)

Advocates teaching science education from both Navajo and Western perspectives, giving Navajo students the ability to expand on the scientific method by constructing alternative explanatory hypotheses. Suggests that drawing from both cultural backgrounds stimulates development of the highest level of scientific thinking, which could lead to…

A study of 114 full-time, tenured or tenure-track faculty of history, psychology, mathematics, and biology investigated the relationship between scholarly productivity and 4 norms of teaching. It was found that faculty recognize and acknowledge norms that support teaching, while simultaneously participating in expected research activities. In…

Provides seven fully developed library media activities that are designed for use with specific curriculum units in art, reading, language arts, science, and social studies. Library media skills, curriculum objectives, grade levels, resources, instructional roles, procedures, evaluations, and follow-up are described for each activity. (LRW)

Describes study that investigated the effects of instructional control and gender pairing arrangements on learner achievement, attitudes, and interaction during an interactive video elementary school science lesson. Cooperative learning strategies are discussed, results of statistical analyses are reported, and implications for instructional…