Investigates the effect of cooperative learning on student achievement in an Educational Technology course in an Initial Teacher Training Program. A cooperative learning strategy was compared with the traditional whole-class direct-instruction approach. Results indicated that the cooperative learning strategy had a positive effect. (Author/DKM)

Relates activities implemented in a high school genetics course that enable students to experience "science in the making" (Latour, 1987). Students work in research groups, build explanatory models of observed natural phenomena, present models at class conferences, revise models based on peer feedback or new observational information, and win…

Explores issues in designing multimedia for educational purposes including the salience of the voice of the author, the balance between the seductive nature of the medium and the substantive content of the message, and the way in which navigational tools either promote or constrain the learning and teaching of the content. (Author/JRH)

Presents the case of a Mandarin Chinese language curriculum to provide an illustration of how technological tools can be used to hurdle a formidable learning task. Examines curricula for opportunities to introduce complementary technology components. Discusses the software-activity design process and presents an overview of the resulting…

Examines whether children's television cartoons portray male and female characters using science and technology in a different manner. Findings indicate that most characters were male and were often depicted using science and technology, usually while being aggressive while female characters were depicted as prosocial and using science and…

Explores student-scientist partnerships (SSPs) that help students gain a unique understanding of both the content and the process of science. Discusses the potential of SSPs, the range of SSP activities, a strategy for national impact, the educational importance of SSPs, the research importance of SSPs, and technology as a facilitator. (JRH)

Encourages teachers to convert current lecture materials into Web-ready formats and use these for in-classroom lecture presentations. Presents practical suggestions for developing multimedia classrooms and explores issues involved. (Author/JRH)

Synthesizes the results of three case studies of middle school classrooms in which computer and video materials were used to teach topics in earth and space sciences through interactive simulations. Describes specific instances in which common current practice is problematic. Makes suggestions regarding improved design principles for such…

Identifies institutions that are successful in sending Indian, Hispanic, and Black students on to graduate study in science and engineering. Reports on site visits and interviews at 10 of the top institutions. Identifies valuable threads among the practices for talent development among the populations under study. Presents an initiatives checklist…

Explores ways in which computer technology could be used to teach science to students with learning disabilities. Discusses the role of computer technology in individualizing the mode of delivery, developing expert tutors, anchoring instruction, integrating science with other subjects, reducing cognitive load on working memory, and motivating…

Examines the implementation of a laserdisk-based science curriculum in an elementary school. Issues discussed include ownership of the classroom discussion, constraints on activities, and the teacher's response to the teaching tools. Also examines student attitudes and anxiety toward science. Results indicate little adoption of the curriculum and…

Presents a system for formally characterizing elements of an introductory science class, measuring class performance based on this characterization, and modeling the value of the class based on the measurements. The main components of this modeling system include educational engineering with a formal set of practices, the use of computational…

Extends the modeling system presented in Part I. This model is applied to two widely diverse educational processes: "Student Actions" and "Do Homework Problem." Its computational syntax imposes completeness criteria on the modeling and its uniformity. (AIM)

Presents six case studies of EARTHWATCH expeditions which provide teachers with opportunities to work with scientists, participate in scientific discovery, and employ new technology. Educators join EARTHWATCH teams to explore tropical and dry forests, monitor ecosystems and species, unearth remains, and consequently develop innovative classroom…

Examines the teaching of science and technology in a new curriculum in the last year of high school in Victoria, Australia. Physics and chemistry were linked to the study of materials and technology. The area of materials related all three subjects but enrollments were much higher for physics and chemistry than for materials and technology. (AIM)