Discusses how elementary teachers fall short in their instruction. Examines the instructional strategies of beginning mathematics and science teachers, the barriers they face in their teaching, and instructional differences between teachers. Presents a study examining the long-term impacts of a preservice teacher education program. (Contains 25…

Examines the rules of practice, practical principles, and images of teaching students that teachers constructed under the supervision of inservice teachers. Reports on the student teachers' seminar assessment as an opportunity for constructing practical knowledge about teaching. (Contains 16 references.) (YDS)

Describes an assessment scheme in Hong Kong and investigates the degree of implementation of school-based assessment for practical science. Identifies five dimensions of implementation and uses three measuring instruments: (1) a student questionnaire; (2) a teacher questionnaire and (3) an observation schedule. Comparative analyses resulted in…

This interpretive study of a Year Six classroom in North Queensland, Australia focuses on how two contrasting groups of children designed ill-defined engineering structures. The collaboration processes within the research team are explored. Classroom-related findings are also reported. (AIM)

Investigates factors affecting students' ability to consistently apply the concept of adaptations. Individual interviews were conducted with 74 Year 10 students in Australia, of whom only 47% showed an understanding of the concept. It was found that the students were more likely to apply the concept to vertebrates. (AIM)

The views of 40 primary students on ozone and its depletion were recorded through individual, semi-structured interviews. The data analysis resulted in the formation of a limited number of models concerning the distribution and role of ozone in the atmosphere, the depletion process, and the consequences of ozone depletion. Identifies five target…

The views of first-year biology students on an essay writing assignment were evaluated through a questionnaire. Makes a series of recommendations to help students develop improved writing strategies, minimize the possible difficulties encountered, and allow the writing exercise to be an integral part of the learning process. (AIM)

Reports on a study designed to reveal the contents of the conversations of two main age groups of primary children who visited three types of animal exhibits: (1) at a museum; (2) live animals at the zoo; and (3) animated dinosaurs and preserved animals. The results raise concerns about whether effective science teaching is occurring in these…

Reports on a longitudinal study based on Years 7-12 for girls' achievement in mathematics and science. The data suggest that Year Nine is crucial for girls' perceptions of how they have performed in math and science in relation to boys' achievements in these fields. (AIM)

This study uses a conceptual problem-solving test to investigate the effect of a series of pictorial analogies on the concepts of density, pressure, and atmospheric pressure in Year Eight classrooms. Findings indicate that students taught with the pictorial analogies scored significantly higher than their counterparts. Low achievers were the most…

Presents a bibliographical review of research on undergraduate science education that involves a broad evaluation of the literature that defines the field. Discusses definitions of science education. Contains 306 references. (DDR)

Presents and integrates findings from selected research and evaluation studies of informal science learning in different settings such as school-based field trips, student projects, community-based science programs, visits to museums and zoos, the press, and electronic media. Contains 91 references. (DDR)

Reviews literature in the field of science education that aids in the mapping of the interface between language and science. Lists six categories of disputes regarding the status and value of science and scientific ideas. Contains 181 references. (DDR)

Reconceptualizes a cultural perspective for science education that offers an account of life in a science classroom by characterizing students' experiences as crossing borders between subcultures. Contains 160 references. (DDR)

Focuses on the interactive science center and its history over the last four decades. Traces the original idea to Francis Bacon. Recommends the use of cross-site studies to develop a model of learning in this setting. Contains 141 references. (DDR)