In this paper we demonstrate that "lesson study" may be adapted from its primary use as a professional development strategy for use as a research strategy, especially to identify principles of good lesson design. We report on a project undertaken in two Australian secondary schools where lesson study research was used to investigate the design of…

The purpose of this study was to enhance pre-service secondary mathematics teachers' skills of using the Geometer's Sketchpad (GSP) through Lesson Study. Twenty-four Lesson Study groups each comprising four or five pre-service secondary mathematics teachers who attended a mathematics teaching methods course in a local public university were set up…

This paper was presented at the Southeast Asian Workshop on new trends in the selection of content for chemistry curricula. The chemistry curriculum project developed by the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST) of Thailand was discussed. (HM)

Discusses some of the ways in which interviews, questionnaires and classroom observation may be used to explore the extent to which curricular innovations are being implemented in schools. The focus is on exploring the problems of implementation of the Scottish Integrated Science Scheme used in Scotland. (HM)

The level of meaning (membership, partial association, or generalization) that English-speaking (N=1635) and Hindi-speaking students (N=823) preferred when thinking about each of 16 key concept definitions associated with the theme "the nature of matter" was measured for each concept. Results and implications for science instruction are discussed.…

The interview-about-instances technique was used to investigate the conceptual frameworks that 17 Form Four Southeast Asian students held about forces acting on an object at rest or in motion. Results show a number of alternate frameworks which are similar to those found in research conducted in western countries. (Author/JN)

Discusses the need for including noise pollution in the science curriculum and describes 10 activities for improving students' awareness and understanding of and concern for noise and its effects. (Author/JN)

This study investigated the effects of specific criteria for marking a test on its reliability and validity. Eight algebra word problems were administered to grade 10 students. The objectivity of scoring criteria improved the reliability of the test, but did not affect its validity. (MNS)

The study investigated the extent of process skill achievement among a sample of recent Malaysian high school graduates, and the relationship of these scores to science scores. Among the conclusions is that the science tests placed little emphasis on the assessment of process skills. (MNS)

Reported is a series of curriculum research studies carried out in Papua New Guinea between 1972 and 1980 into the effects of formal schooling, with compulsory component of science instruction on attitudes toward investigation, control, and manipulation of natural phenomena and toward traditional religion. (MNS)

Provided are some ideas on teaching elementary numerical methods to sixth-form students. Comments are included on the syllabus recently introduced at Advanced Level in Hong Kong. (MNS)

Explores the extent to which key concept words are accurately identified by secondary school students. Research results on concept definition recognition from student groups in English-speaking Tasmania and Hindi-speaking India are compared. Linguistic hypothesis are presented and analyzed. (ML)

Promotes the use of the microcomputer in mathematics instruction, reviewing approaches to teaching nonlinear equations. Examples of computer diagrams are illustrated and compared to textbook samples. An example of a problem-solving program is included. (ML)

Explains plausible strategies for introducing biotechnology into a science curricula through a microbiology course. Teaching strategies for large mixed-ability groups are presented. Concept maps, games, activities and materials references are included. (ML)

Attitudes toward science of 654 pupils aged 14-15 were assessed, and relationships between attitude and locality, achievement, and sex studied. Achievement was mildly correlated with attitude, but locality and sex had no influence. Other findings are also discussed. (MNS)