The implementation of new content and pedagogical standards in science education necessitates intensive, long-term professional development of science teachers. In this paper, we describe the rationale and structure of a comprehensive and intensive professional development program of school-based leaders, namely school chemistry coordinators. The…

Uses examples of rich tasks that are linked with traditional science curriculum topics to demonstrate how teachers can come to a better understanding of how to teach topics in context, how rich tasks help build student understanding, and what opportunities exist for making connections within and between topics and disciplines. (Author/YDS)

Presents data illustrating some of the problems that students encounter when learning about force for the first time. The data illuminate the complexity of the task that students face and reveal some difficulties that have received little attention in the literature. Discusses some issues that arise regarding the traditional presentation of…

Points out the importance of students' pre-existing beliefs on students learning and suggests that if new information does not fit with what the students already knows, he or she may simply choose to reject it outright, leaving classrooms having learned nothing. Presents four choices for addressing new information. (Author/YDS)

Reviews research on student learning of science conceptions and presents major findings. Traces changes in science teaching and learning over the last two decades and looks at a variety of teaching schemes that aim to support meaningful learning in science, some based on conceptual change. (Contains 13 references.) (Author/YDS)

Describes a project that applies a context-based approach to physics education in order to address a number of problems identified in physics education. Points out that there has been little investigation on the impact of this approach on either teacher practice or student experiences in physics. Investigates teachers' perspective of teaching 'in…

Reports on the Victorian Science in Schools Research Project (VSSRP) which was developed to help teachers support student learning of science content. Reviews research on student learning of science concepts and traces changes over the last two decades. (Contains 46 references.) (Author/YDS)

Reports on the two most commonly used resources on global climate change available on the Internet and provides examples of classroom activities. (Author/YDS)

Discusses undergraduate students' demand for a greater flexibility in the way that they receive their instruction, and introduces instructional changes from a teacher-centered focus to a student-centered focus at the University of Sydney. Uses a virtual learning environment (VLE) to encourage independence and increased flexibility of access.…

Describes the experiences of three primary school teachers as they move from preservice to inservice teaching and explores some of the issues of transition as these teachers learn to teach science. Employs an anthropological framework of border crossing that allows for the difficulties experienced by primary teachers in teaching science to be…

Explains how misconceptions act as barriers to learning and must be addressed by teachers in the delivery of instruction. Points out that if misconceptions are not overcome, no new learning will result from a student's time in the classroom. Reports the results of an action research project that concluded that the majority of students make no…

Looks at the effect of teaching strategies on a group's attitude toward biology and understanding human nutrition. Used an experimental group that participated in co-operative learning and a control group taught using the lecture method. Involves ninth graders (n=156) from two high schools in Jamaica. (Author/YDS)

Presents views on the integration of indigenous science into science teaching and discusses the rationale of this act. (Contains 21 references.) (Author/YDS)

Describes "learnscape" projects which are places that a learning program has been designed to permit users to interact with the environment. Explores teachers' perceptions of the nature, value, and effects of learnscapes on teaching and learning. (Author/MM)

Describes the introduction of a context-based physics approach in an Australia state. Presents a case study of an experienced teacher exploring how she understands what it means to teach in context and how her understanding shapes her classroom practice. (Author/MM)