Investigated the use of a hands-on laboratory program for improving student attitudes toward science and increasing student achievement levels in science knowledge. Findings indicated that students who had laboratory instruction scored higher in achievement and showed a positive correlation between attitude and achievement. No significant…

Compares two theories of assessing functional knowledge for intuitive physics using choice and functional measurement responses (N=40) in two situations. Reports that the choice theory showed substantial frequencies of stepwise rules while functional measurement showed that most subjects integrated the two variables. Concludes that functional…

Investigates student (N=16) misconceptions concerning electrochemistry related to galvanic, electrolytic, and concentration cells. Findings indicate that most students demonstrating misconceptions were still able to calculate cell potentials correctly. Discusses common misconceptions and possible sources of these. Contains 33 references.…

Investigates the conceptions and representations of light propagation, image formation, and sight typical to preinstruction learners (N=139). Findings indicate that preinstructional students display some familiarity with optical systems, light propagation, and illumination patterns and have not developed a consistent descriptive and explanatory…

Reports on a project where 25 preservice and recently inducted science teachers analyzed materials of Project 2061 and the National Science Education Standards, created an evaluation instrument, and developed and analyzed teaching units. Suggests methods to help new teachers understand science education reform and create products that can be used…

Argues that the National Science Education Standards uses a discourse of invisibility to lay out its reform for science education and does not directly address ethnic, socioeconomic, gender, and theoretical issues. Proposes that the standards ought to provide arguments and evidence in support of the reasons why equity should be a guiding principle…

Investigates whether basic tenets for the "nature of science" are also held by philosophers of science and explores possible related philosophical positions underpinning differences in responses. Reports that the philosophers expressed significant disagreements with the tenets and different philosophers varied on their views about the tenets.…

Investigates students' causal beliefs about the relationship between variables in an electric experiment and the degree to which their tendency to make either idea-based or evidence-based statements depends on a prior belief about the causal efficacy of that variable. Reports that 34% of responses were idea-based despite the presentation of…

Examines experiences of university students in an outreach program designed to teach science and foster positive attitudes toward science in younger children. Reports positive responses from teachers and children. Highlights the value of providing diverse and challenging experiences for children and the need for dialog and reflection on those…

Discusses the use of the Internet in educational settings and studies four students using the Internet to obtain data for a regularly assigned eighth-grade mathematics project for five weeks. Uses questionnaires and interviews to collect data. Concludes that students need adequate preparation to achieve optimal benefit from using the Internet.…

Introducing students and teachers to the social structure of scientific communication as part of a hands-on, minds-on approach can increase students' knowledge and interest in the sciences. Describes SAM-Net which incorporates scientific communication, electronic networking, and scientific research as practiced by scientists into a K-12 science…

Describes the Image Processing for Teaching (IPT) project which provides digital image processing to excite students about science and mathematics as they use research-quality software on microcomputers. Provides information on IPT whose components of this dissemination project have been widespread teacher education, curriculum-based materials…

Suggests that using the iconic and computing features of a spreadsheet enhances the transition from natural language sentences to pictorial and numerical representations of algebraic word problems. Presents work performed in a lab setting with preservice and inservice teachers enrolled in contemporary general mathematics and problem-solving…

Investigates the potential of collaborative learning in mathematics using multimedia. Analyzes the data collected by video recording the work of groups on the multimedia-based activities and ethnographic research methods. Concludes that the classroom interaction was found to be supported not only by language mediated by the multimedia system but…

Spreadsheets have become popular tools for exploring mathematical patterns and building conceptual understanding of variables and functional relationships. Presents examples of students' work to illustrate multiple paths of inquiry, generalization, and mathematical reasoning. Supports effective investigation of patterns and functions for students…