Reviews and analyzes science education research completed in 1982. Areas considered include: student and teacher characteristics and behavior; instructional strategies and environment; instructional materials and technology; curricula and programs; teacher education; research and evaluation practices; and science education policy and practice. (JN)

Reviews sociopsychological literature as a means of defining attitude. Several explicit subcomponents (key elements) of the attitude concept were generated. This composite definition was used to generate conceptually sound approaches to research design and attitude measurement in science education and, in particular, science teacher education. (JN)

Examines the sociological mechanism which is driven by five audiences (students, instructors, peer/colleagues, publishers, and the individual's inner feelings/needs), which shapes the college textbooks that are adopted and used by today's science teaching community. (JN)

Explains changes in programs, policies, and procedures in the Science Education Directorate. Considers administration, effects of reorganization of institutional support and curriculum development programs (including changes in peer/staff review procedures), and new administration's conception of its mission, relationship to groups making demands…

In North Carolina, reports are being generated and publicized about the science/mathematics teacher shortage. Findings are cited from several of these reports as examples of how concerned persons might initiate similar campaigns to generate the publicity and support that must precede change. Teacher shortage facts/myths and implications of same…

The generative learning model is explored and linked to recent science education research findings. The implications of the model for the teaching and learning of science, the training of science teachers, and science educational research are discussed. (JN)

Examined interactive effects of direction source (teacher, student, or group direction), allocated time, reading ability, and study orientation on student achievement (N=1108) on three Individualized Science Instructional System (ISIS) minicourses. Results (among others) indicate superiority of student-directed approach over teacher/group-directed…

Describes set of specific steps (procedural knowledge) used when solving monohybrid/dihybrid cross problems and extent to which students could justify execution of each step in terms of their conceptual knowledge of genetics and meiosis. Implications for genetics instruction are discussed. (JN)

Provides educators involved with preservice and inservice training programs with a description of some resources available for sensitizing science teachers to the special needs of handicapped students. Most references have been developed by science teachers who have had direct experiences with these children. (JN)

The "Implementation Proneness Typology" was developed to facilitate examination of a teacher's implementation to new innovations in a quantitative manner. Dimensions considered include assertiveness, surgency, conscientiousness, venturesomeness, imaginativeness, shrewdness, experimentiveness, self-sufficiency, humanistic classroom control…

Describes an effort to identify topics that should and should not be emphasized in a workshop for elementary and junior high school teachers. Questionnaires, administered to teachers (N=135) before and after workshops, focused on topic familiarity and teaching experiences with topics before and after workshop. (JN)

Investigated whether the Lesotho Introductory Science Improvement Program promoted more positive attitudes toward science and how findings compared with those reported in the literature. Responses from a 57-item questionnaire, obtained from 647 students, indicated no significant differences between experimental (N=172 boys, 167 girls) and control…

Supports the position that goals developed and used to guide science education practice during the 1950s and mid-1960s are no longer adequate and that a new consensus of goals is needed for the 1980s. This consensus would reflect the real world and problems students will face in the future. (JN)

Encourages science educators to consider engaging students in science projects resulting in socially useful products. Educational presentations meant to perform social functions (soft products) and preparation/execution of environmental manipulations (hard products) such as pollution analysis, plant breeding, or administering medical tests are…

Discusses areas related to teaching science-related, value-laden, real-world problems. These include potential/limitations of science and scientific method, how science-based information fits in with other kinds of information, how preconceptions about problems/issues affect scientific problem solving, and utilization of different educational…