Reanalyzes pretest and posttest interviews from a large classroom study using a situated cognition framework. Concludes that cognition is a dynamic process that changes in different ways over shorter and longer time scales. Contains 40 references. (DDR)

Explains that, in relation to the concept of vision, the cognitive structural model accounts for the normal developmental sequence. Indicates some possible sequences that might help to explain the alternative framework phenomenon. Contains 20 references. (DDR)

Analyzes talk among students on videotaped recordings from a teaching sequence on the particle model. Emphasizes the role of two types of discourse and epistemological and ontological obstacles in the construction of scientific meanings in the classroom. Contains 41 references. (DDR)

Seeks to identify some of the issues associated with the role of models in scientific explanations. Develops a typology of explanations and explores the notion of appropriateness in scientific explanations. Investigates the nature of models and their contribution to explanations. (DDR)

Analyzes the evolution of the French physics curricula and experiments from the beginning of the century to the present. Shows the strong coherence of the aspects of energy presented through teaching content and experiments. (DDR)

Attempts to explore the extent of native science beliefs among students in secondary and tertiary institutions. Premise is based upon the assumption that the way in which individuals respond to traditional causal statements is indicative of their native science beliefs. Reveals that these beliefs are held by a substantial portion of students. (DDR)

Compares the content of conversations generated by primary school groups visiting a zoo and a farm. Concludes that fewer observations about the animals are made at the farm whereas more affective comments are generated there. (DDR)

Investigates observations that teacher candidates majoring in elementary education exhibit a world view very different from teacher candidates majoring in a science discipline while obtaining teacher certification in elementary education. Contains 43 references. (DDR)

Generates a framework of categories to describe prospective teachers' change of attitude toward teaching science over the term of a science methods course. Sources of data for the three-year study include science journal entries. Contains 36 references. (DDR)

Explores students' conceptions of the relationships among 31 environmental issues using multidimensional scaling analysis. Suggests that both male and female grade 5 subjects develop meaningful conceptions of relationships among issues which have personal relevance to them. Contains 27 references. (DDR)

Hypothesizes that the structure of a teacher's oral discourse is a factor that influences student learning. Sets out to establish the conceptual and discursive frameworks of three teachers. Contains 17 references. (DDR)

Finds that children are naturally generative in their construction of explanations but that they use conceptions in quite complex and fluid ways. Argues that naive conceptions maintain a valuable function. Contains 43 references. (DDR)

Constructs case studies of individuals to explore the way conceptions change over time, and the difficulties presented by the concept of atmospheric pressure. Evaluates different structural theories of conceptual change. Contains 62 references. (DDR)

Analyzes observations of primary students in a small Interactive Science Centre using a model of play, practice, and problem solving derived from a range of literature. Identifies features of the creative phase of the activities. Contains 31 references. (DDR)

Focuses on the understanding of British children (N=189) of geologic time as they participate in related activities. Indicates that 10- and 11-year-old children lack a clear chronology of geologic events. Contains 22 references. (DDR)