Study was conducted to explore patterns of verbal interaction in science classrooms. Pupil characteristics were measured in the beginning and towards the end of instructional term. Four patterns of outcomes, communication, and pupil characteristics were found. These are named as success, rejection dependency, person orientation and alienation…

Discusses the variety of roles that measurement and evaluation can play in improving the quality of instruction in science. Three types of evaluation are distinguished (preparative, formative, and summative evaluation), and the purpose and value of each type in the instructional process are analyzed. (JR)

Examines the need for preparative evaluation (identifying important preliminary concepts and measuring their attainment) of a number of physical and mathematical concepts in chemistry. It is frequently incorrectly assumed that beginning chemistry students have mastered basic concepts. Consequently students are unlikely to achieve success in more…

Discusses means of improving curriculum evaluation, especially with respect to the Australian science curriculum. Provides a clear definition of curriculum'' and suggests a master model for curriculum evaluation. Recent trends in procedures for evaluating student progress are also outlined. (JR)

In this two-part article, attention is directed to the need for teachers to be concerned with curriculum evaluation, using both objective and subjective data. Data from an Australian Science Education Project (ASEP) trial are used to demonstrate techniques that the teacher might employ in objectively evaluating his own courses. (JR)

Describes a scheme for marking multiple-choice test items by computer. This program, which is currently being used in Queensland, Australia, facilitates scoring and the standardization of scores. It also enables rapid item analysis which can be used to improve the quality of objective items. (JR)

Describes the development and use of behavioral objectives and related criterion-referenced tests in a high school chemistry course. A complete set of objectives and the related criterion-referenced test items for a single unit of Nuffield Chemistry are presented. (JR)

Reports the results of a survey based on the Commonwealth Secondary Scholarship Examination (C.S.S.E.). Freshman students at Flinders University (South Australia) were sampled, and results indicated that students from non-government schools performed better, and hence were more able, than those who came from government schools. (JR)

Reports the results of a study relating to the objectives that teachers deem most important in elementary school science. Elementary teachers of Victoria (Australia) and Britain hold similar opinions about elementary science objectives, valuing especially the abilities to observe, solve problems, classify data, and communicate ideas. (JR)

Reports some of the interesting changes that have occurred since the introduction of Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC) in Victorian schools (Australia). The study indicated that, over a four year period, there have been changes in teachers' views about the physics course based on PSSC and in the teaching practices employed. (JR)

Describes the measurement of electric potentials by means of a flame probe. This method is used extensively in the new Nuffield Advanced Level Physics course, and provides a means of taking reliable quantitative results in an area of most school courses where the majority of the work is qualitative. (JR)

A science teacher can be more effective in classroom if he identifies various emotions of students and can communicate effectively. (PS)

In this second article on thin layer chromatography six kinds of experiments are suggested for science teachers to use in schools. (PS)