Supports the assertion that constructivism is a sound theory that explains the practice of science and science pedagogy, and responds to critics of constructivism. Offers a constructivist account of some long-standing epistemological issues. Contains 40 references. (DDR)

Investigates the effectiveness of two different types of interviews: one that embeds a concept map, and one that does not embed a concept map in order to elicit post-instructional understandings. Focuses on students' understandings of chlorofluorocarbons and their role in global atmospheric change. Contains 71 references. (DDR)

Reviews research on children's ideas about floating and sinking. Describes the Model-Assisted Reasoning in Science (MARS) project curriculum and student responses to a question about helium balloons. Contains 61 references. (DDR)

Investigates Grade 12 students' understandings of the nature of chemical bonds and the energetics elicited across five familiar chemical reactions following a course of instruction. Discusses the many ways in which students can misconstruct concepts and principles. Contains 63 references. (DDR)

Highlights the old but important debate about the difference between statistical significance and the practical or educational value of research findings. Argues for proper reporting of quantitative research using meta-analysis methods developed in the 1970s. Contains 53 references. (DDR)

Reports on a study that uses psychometric modeling to rank the appeal of a variety of children's astronomical ideas on a single uniform scale. Findings support the view that alternative conceptions may be markers of progress toward understanding. Contains 82 references. (DDR)

Outlines an in-depth case study of teachers' use of image processing in biology, earth science, and physics classes in one high school science department. Explores issues surrounding technology implementation. Contains 21 references. (DDR)

Compares the achievement in science for ninth grade students in China and the United States. Reveals a small difference between the two groups and presents a rationale for the comparison. Contains 31 references. (DDR)

Raises the question of what elementary and secondary teachers need to know to teach mathematics and science. Outlines the kind of subject matter knowledge teachers need to learn during their higher education years in mathematics and science. Contains 44 references. (DDR)

Discusses the concept of scientific literacy for all students. Addresses scientific literacy as it relates to students from diverse cultures and languages. Discusses the nature of science, the norm of science instructional practices, and ways to achieve scientific literacy for all students. (JRH)

Examines which of the warrants of authority, coherence, and empirical evidence were invoked by grade 8 science classroom participants in their daily interactions, and whether these were linked to particular teaching referents. Results indicate that when the teacher embraced a context exposure referent at the expense of constructivism, the warrant…

Presents a case study of an experienced high school chemistry teacher. Examines the teacher's conceptions about teaching science and compares them with the observed patterns of practice. Highlights the complexity of characterizing a teacher's thinking and its relationship to actions. Discusses the value of the insight researchers gain from sharing…

Reports on a study in an introductory physics course in which 16 students were assessed using a portfolio-style procedure and 19 were assessed using traditional, objective examinations. Results suggest that portfolio-style assessment supports student achievement at least at the same level as traditional assessment procedures. It also appears to…

Investigates the nature of small group interactions among grade 4-5 students and between the students and their teachers. Provides evidence for the interactive flexibility of students; the construction of culture, power, and norms in each interaction; and the distributed nature of students' artifacts which exceeds social construction. Contains 47…

Explores a way to analyze and describe learning derived from both constructivist theoretical considerations and classroom practice. Presents a model describing possible student responses during science lessons. Provides a rationale on the basis of both constructivist theory and tests of the model in middle school science classes. Contains 42…