Compares the reasoning capabilities of preservice elementary school teachers before and after their involvement in a remedial science program that incorporated instruction in basic conceptual knowledge with reasoning strategies about manipulation of variables and logical inference. Discussion of results emphasizes recurring logical fallacies. (22…

Reports on specific problem-solving difficulties of 240 chemistry teachers from 5 Nigerian states who volunteered to take part in 3 written tests and an interview. Describes the contrasts between successful and unsuccessful problem solvers, and discusses the pedagogical and psychological implications of the findings. (16 references) (JJK)

Presents findings that young secondary students have stereotyped ideas about the appropriateness of certain careers for men and women. Indicates that careers such as pilot, engine mechanic, electrician, and computer technician are viewed by all students as more suitable for males. Considers the consequences of these results relative to the…

Fifty-three elementary school children were tested on Incidental Science Knowledge, i.e., knowledge acquired by chance outside school, and the results obtained were correlated with intellectual development and cognitive style as measured by interviews and group testing, respectively. Indicates that cognitive style and misconception play a…

A comparative study that accesses the environmental knowledge of in-service classroom teachers (n=166) enrolled in the certification program at Yarmouk indicates the need for coursework in environmental sciences and environmental education. Recommends the integration of an environmental dimension into the general methodology course and subject…

A study of English students' concepts of pollution (n=122) indicates students understand pollution in two distinct ways: pollution that goes into the atmosphere and pollution that damages or destroys. Concludes that to the students' minds it seems that both these definitions can only be valid if associated with human-made activities. (Author/MCO)

Describes the relationship and interdependence of environmental education and economic and industrial themes. Explores the need for these themes to be linked when introduced into school curricula and the extent to which this is happening within the National Curriculum of England and Wales. Suggests ways to enhance this integrated approach. (22…

Researchers compared psychomotor skill performance in isolation and in competitive game situations with seventh grade boys taught basketball using Bloom's mastery learning model or nonmastery procedures. Mastery subjects surpassed control and nonmastery groups on all skills performed in isolation. No significant differences existed in skill…

Study examined differences between self-contained and team teaching approaches when two groups of elementary teachers implemented a physical education curriculum during an inservice. Researchers collected lesson completion forms, specialists' reports, class observations, and teacher surveys. Results indicated those using self-contained approaches…

The ability to diagnose motor skills is important for physical educators. The paper discusses processes critical in motor skill diagnosis, proposing an operational model of motor skill development diagnosis for teacher educators and practitioners. The model provides a foundation upon which to build instructional strategies for developing…

Eight public school adolescent students with mild mental retardation and severely disruptive classroom behaviors participated in a cooperative behavior management intervention in which student teams were rewarded for appropriate classroom behavior. Rewarding both teams and individuals was most successful in decreasing inappropriate behavior in all…

Three mothers of children (ages 4-9) who had disabilities and exhibited serious behavior management problems were taught child management techniques and planned activities techniques, using in-home coaching and written prompts for use in generalization settings. Results suggested that such training is effective but needs to be individualized.…

This study examined the social interactions and activities of 15 workers with mental retardation employed in supported competitive employment positions and 15 co-workers. Although the supported employees and co-workers did not differ in the total number of interactions, co-workers interacted more frequently during breaktime whereas supported…

This investigation examined whether auditory prompting tapes could influence performance fluency in three mentally retarded young people. The musical tapes with embedded, interspersed performance cues successfully increased the participants' vocational task fluency and decreased stereotypic behavior in one participant. (Author/DB)

Five students (ages 10-18) with moderate and severe mental retardation were taught to exercise for a prescribed period of time or distance using a digital kitchen timer and an adapted lap counter. Results are discussed in terms of self-managed exercise programs for this population as well as other tasks requiring time management. (Author/DB)