Outlines the aims and principles underlying recent reforms in the junior school physics course in China. Focuses on developing students' abilities and the benefits of experimentation rather than the simple transfer of knowledge from teacher to students. (DDR)

Compares the Japanese educational system with that in England. Discusses the structure of school levels and examinations, the curriculum, and informal educational practices and cultural expectations. Notes the place of science study in the Japanese system. (Author/WRM)

Discusses the Advanced Placement (AP) Physics program in the U.S. in terms of which of its aspects may be applied to education in the United Kingdom. Suggests that a British AP scheme giving access to introductory-level college physics for the brightest students may be needed in light of proposed A-level curriculum changes in the U.K. (Author/WRM)

Describes how to construct a form of a Kelvin Electrostatics Generator from readily available components and provides an explanation of how it works. The device can generate 10-12 mm long sparks in the air. (DDR)

Provides a description of an experiment in which students use a standard ultraviolet and intense blue (UV/VIS) spectrophotometer to measure the amount and energy of light. Explains how a simple measurement of the transmission spectrum of sunglasses can reveal differences between brands and can illustrate the destruction of the earth's ozone layer.…

Presents examples of experiments designed for high school students with the help of a microcomputer-based laboratory called Explorer. Argues that these tools enable students to investigate many principles of physics that were not feasible in the past. (DDR)

Describes a protocol designed to help students taking their first undergraduate physics course acquire the basic skills of physics problem solving. Discusses the evaluation of the educational effectiveness of this protocol and its use in an interactive multimedia learning package. Contains 16 references. (Author/JRH)

Describes optics demonstrations that use a mirror mounted on a laser pointer. Can be used to demonstrate reflection from plane or curved surfaces, refraction, and Snell's law. (Author/JRH)

Presents an experiment that investigates the temperature of tungsten filaments using a car headlamp. Uses a spreadsheet program that facilitates extensive data manipulation. Gives students an awareness of the many mathematical techniques used in data analysis. (Author/JRH)

Presents ideas for using spreadsheets to explore random numbers, electric-potential distributions, function fitting, and the frequency analysis of waveforms. Contains 18 references. (JRH)

Investigates students' understanding of the transfer of charge between two charged conductors. Findings indicate that a considerable number of students from eighth grade to college in advanced physics courses were unable to predict the transfer of charge correctly from one conductor to another. Discusses implications for instruction. (JRH)

Describes an activity to study radioactive decay using charged balloons. Reports on readings of radioactivity taken at different locations in Edmonton, Alberta using balloons. (JRH)

Advances a number of theses concerning physics education based on the September 1996 edition of Physics Education in the hope that they might spark further critical debate. Contains 13 references. (JRH)

Suggests that the basic concepts of quantum mechanics can be introduced at the high school level by considering the action of classical mechanics, then introducing Planck's constant as the granularity of that action. Uses the periodic motion of a spring as a practical example. (AIM)

Discusses the benefits of using multimedia Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) as an alternative teaching method. CAL packages may provide more flexibility in course design, encourage student-centered learning, and help students of differing abilities and academic backgrounds. Also examines problems associated with the use of multimedia CAL such as…