Reports on science-specialist student teachers' conceptions about science and technology and corresponding priorities for school science. Students' conceptions were measured after interacting with a case documentary that depicted students collaborating in the development and evaluation of pneumatic-controlled robotic arms. Indicates that many…

Analyzes the pedagogic functions of visual images included in school science textbooks and daily press articles about science and technology. Indicates that the science textbooks (a) use 10 times more images, (b) use more images so as to familiarize their readers with the specialized techno-scientific content and codes, and (c) tend to create a…

Investigates how microcomputer-based laboratory (MBL) activities specifically designed to be consistent with a constructivist theory of learning support or constrain student construction of understanding. Analysis of students' discourse and actions reveal that students invented numerous techniques for manipulating data in the service of their…

Explores different ways individuals conceptualize quality learning in physics. Uses semi-structured interviews that explore aspects of learning that respondents regard as worth fostering in their classrooms. Discusses different respondent conceptions with regard to four significant aspects of physics learning: doing experimental work; linking…

Analyzes the ways in which some beginning primary school teachers cope when faced with teaching science. Examines aspects of a group of beginning primary teachers' science teaching practices in order to better understand the basis of their practice. Finds that activities that work have a close relationship with science Pedagogical Content…

Most primary school teachers do not use constructivist teaching because they find it difficult and impractical to implement. Uses the Five Es model (Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration and Evaluation) and results show that it is found interesting and fun by students, motivates learning, and promotes higher-order thinking skills. (SOE)

Explores the Competency Tripod model and flow diagrams as two sources for enabling students' metacognition in a second year undergraduate chemistry laboratory. Results indicate that all four students engaged in metacognitive practices, all believed that flow diagrams are extremely useful, and all understood the Competency Tripod model, but only…

Investigates whether pupils aged 12-15 years perceive physical quantities as intensive or extensive. Written questionnaires were administered to 300 pupils comprising four tasks for each intensive quantity, density and pressure. Analysis reveals three models of consistent pupils' reasoning. (Author/SOE)

Discusses supporting factors necessary for teacher professional growth and issues of concern that are evident during one primary teacher's implementation of a unit that used constructivist pedagogical strategies. Support factors for teacher growth are found to be an appropriate program of professional development, teacher understanding of the…

Explores a case study of a class of 10th grade students whose learning of genetics involved activities using BioLogica, a computer program that features multiple external representations (MERs). Findings indicate that the MERs in BioLogica contributed to students' development of genetics reasoning by engendering their motivation and interest but…

Discusses an international research study that explores the way middle school girls manage "girl-friendly" drama processes. Argues that narrative based drama methods offer girls an enactive space to explore their lives through the art form of drama whilst offering opportunities to travel through and play with the workings of culture, gender and…

Discusses how a projective technique known as "cartoon tests" can be used by drama educators for programme evaluation and for learning-needs analysis and monitoring. Provides findings in which cartoon tests were used as one of several methods to explore student perceptions of a drama-based marketing subject at an Australian university. (SG)

Focuses on one phase of a five-year reflective study that involved a reflective play-building project. Outlines the working processes of the play-building group and discusses approaches to data collection and analysis before drawing conclusions about the key characteristics of aesthetic engagement. Concludes by drawing attention to aspects of…

Documents a pilot study of the perceptions of two L1 Xhosa acting students and their teachers about learning to act in L2 English in an L1 English university drama department in South Africa. Seeks to identify perceptions of "good acting," and the degree to which these are contingent on perceptions of "good English" in theatre performance. Finds…

Suggests Roger Deldime of the University of Brussels is one of the foremost francophone theorists of theatre sociology and has a special interest in children's theatre and education. Presents a detailed case study to examine how a strong and principled theory of theatre's role in children's lives has been successfully turned into a thriving…