Traces the development of one line of research in the training of science teachers, using social learning theory as the superstructure, and identifies the related basic research forming the building blocks of subsequent research, development, and practice. (Author/PEB)

Two groups of fourth graders performed a science activity. The treatment group first watched a filmed explanation of the activity by selected students from the class; the control group did not watch the film. The treatment group generated significantly more positive behaviors and less negative behaviors in the activity. (MLH)

Studied the effects of aptitude variables on learning from programed science material preceded by three differently structured advance organizers. Concluded that the structural properties could benefit low ability fourth-grade students in developing an adequate conceptual scheme for organizing material. (CC)

Identifies promising areas of aptitude-treatment interaction research (ATI), including research related to general ability, anxiety, prior achievement, and achievement motivation. Also provides general methodological ATI guidelines for science educators. (JN)

Determined whether natural history museum visitors (N=234) were attracted to hands-on exhibits or to identical "no-touch" exhibits. Results indicate that a significant number of visitors preferred the manipulatable settings and that children preferred to engage in hands-on experiences more than adults. Additional findings are reported and…

Reviews past studies on research in natural history museums and science centers, proposes a taxonomy of exhibits in museum settings, and focuses attention of factors which should be considered when studying/learning in these settings. Also presents potentially productive methods of conceptualizing research and suggests possible future lines of…

Determined instructional effectiveness of cave exhibit and location of information panel (near entrance of exit) and if the exhibit was more effective than a group walking through similar habitat and viewing a film. Results are reported for the 28 grade 7/8 students participating in the study. (JN)

Reports results of a study exploring the effects of preservice secondary teacher anxiety and modeling on acquisition of a science teaching skill and concomitant student performance, using randomly assigned microteaching sessions as treatment and control groups. Discusses results and aptitude-treatment interactions. (CS)

Investigates whether placement of pictorial adjuncts before or after related textual material enhances instructional effectiveness for learners of varying ability. Junior high students (N=84) were randomly assigned to one or three treatments in which a diagram of the hydrologic cycle was inserted before, after, or omitted from the text. (CS)

Explored are the use of cues and their possible interaction with learner ability in concept formation under inductive instructional methods. Two inductive treatments, cued and noncued, were administered to ninth- and tenth-grade students. Results indicate significant aptitude treatment interaction with verbal comprehension abilities and the two…