Describes the problem-solving behaviors of experts and novices engaged in solving seven chemical equilibrium problems. Lists 27 behavioral tendencies of successful and unsuccessful problem solvers. Discusses several implications for a problem solving theory, think-aloud techniques, adequacy of the chemistry domain, and chemistry instruction.…

Examines college students' perception of an interactive videodisc learning system as an alternative to the conventional laboratory for learning biology skills and concepts taught under classroom laboratory conditions. Reports that the videodisc instruction gave more experimental and procedural options and more efficient use of time than the…

Investigates factors associated with endeavors to improve science teaching. Two coaching models used by science educators and by peer teachers were used over a period of six months. Neither program was successful. Five assertions emerged from interviews and observation data. Major impediments were beliefs about teaching and poor science knowledge.…

Compares the relative effects of hands-on and teacher demonstration laboratory methods on declarative knowledge and procedural knowledge achievement. Reports that students in the hands-on class were better on the procedural knowledge test than students in the demonstration class. (Author/YP)

Examines the educational value of exhibits for transferring wildlife information to high school students. Reports that the passive exhibitry technique produced increases in the wildlife knowledge of students. (Author/YP)

Data from 30 studies involving gender differences related to science achievement were synthesized using analyses of effect sizes and vote-counting estimation procedures. Reports that males showed advantages in biology, general science, and physics. (Author/YP)

Assesses the role of science topic instruction combined with logical reasoning strategy instruction in teaching high school students about blood pressure problems. Reports positive effects of the combined instruction compared to science topic instruction. (Author/YP)

Reports on a study designed to investigate how the use of computer assisted instruction (CAI) tutorial programs, incorporating advance organizers and involving various sizes of groups of subjects, would affect achievement scores, retention scores, and rates of learning. (TW)

Reports on the results of an investigation into the understanding of the concepts of basic electricity by French students from grade six up through the fourth year of college. Discusses the misconceptions formed and the challenges these present to physics educators. (TW)

Reports on a study designed to focus on staff development delivery variables in the context of science teacher workshops. Data suggest that 8 to 16 hours is a minimum amount of time for staff development if teachers are to implement new strategies into their science classrooms. (TW)

Presents two studies designed to determine whether middle school-aged children's attitudes and content achievement are different when they take a technology course with their parents or with their peers. Indicates that parents have little affect in helping their children learn about technology or attitudes about computers. (CW)

Reports the results of two experiments that examined the relative effects of questions requiring decisions, statements providing the decision information to the students, questions not requiring decisions, and control procedures on student's memory for chemistry text reading materials. Discusses results in terms of an elaboration perspective on…

Studies the effect of intellectual development, degree of field independence, mental capacity, amount of prior genetics knowledge and amount of fluid intelligence on reading comprehension and/or genetics achievement of students enrolled in a nonmajor biology course. Concludes that developmental level was the most consistent predictor of…

Presents data which leads to the construction of a response to the question of how different phases of the learning cycle influence physics students' content achievement and attitudes. Discusses the importance of the learning cycle in science instruction and the strength of using contrasting techniques (qualitative and quantitative) in research.…

Examines the effect of familiar and unfamiliar task content upon proportional reasoning abilities of ninth grade students. Uses content from chemistry and physics textbooks. Reports that student performance was higher on proportional reasoning problems involving familiar content than with unfamiliar content and that content famililarity interacted…