Concept mapping with "Learning Tool," a computerized mapping program, was used to assess changes in the content and organization of 17 preservice teachers' concept maps for the topic of effective teaching. This study illustrates how concept mapping can be useful in describing students' evolving constructions of knowledge in a particular subject…

Concept mapping was used to tap the conceptual disciplinary (science subject) knowledge and pedagogical knowledge of seven biology and six geography teachers with short or long teaching experience. Results indicate that knowledge in both areas is unsatisfactory, experience does not improve the knowledge, and teachers mastered disciplinary…

Outlines the use of concept maps as a tool for science curriculum development and discusses the changes that occur in the teacher's view of the curriculum with successive revisions of the maps. Describes and analyzes the maps created by sixth-grade teachers. (PR)

Describes the "SemNet" software and some of its uses as an educational and research tool, with emphasis on the similarities and differences between concept mapping and semantic networking. (PR)

Describes how three biology textbooks present content related to photosynthesis through construct of elaboration. Concept maps were created for each textbook. Results are discussed in terms of quantity of elaboration, relevance of ideas used to elaborate major concepts, relationship of nature of elaboration to intended readers, and general…

Reports a study examining the concurrent validity of concept maps as vehicles for documenting and exploring conceptual change in biology. Elementary education science methods students who were instructed on marine life zones showed significant differences on their concept maps on this topic. (PR)

Selective illustrative examples of students' learning difficulties and misconceptions in first-year general and organic chemistry are presented in the students' terms, followed by strategies the author uses to overcome the difficulties. Suggests that student misconceptions in first-year chemistry are not interrelated logically and are not prone to…

Provides examples of how concept mapping can be used to help overcome misconceptions in college chemistry. (PR)

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Examined are the effects of testing on the achievement of students using self-instructional materials to learn science process skills. Results indicated that frequent quizzes did not differentially affect process skill acquisition. (Author/CW)

Discussed is the conceptualization, development, and formative evaluation of a series of science education videodiscs. The formative data indicated that videodisc programs can enhance the effectiveness of teachers and substantively impact student achievement and attitudes. (Author/CW)

This article offers five research criteria and their rationale to help researchers avoid problems and to help them improve research. Improving research should improve the quality of science teaching. The treatment of causal hypotheses is stressed. (Author/CW)

Concepts, categories, time allotment, and instructional techniques associated with teaching Science/Technology/Society issues were examined for 65 exemplary secondary level science teachers. An analysis of a Science Teaching Issue Opinionnaire and another questionnaire are presented. Thirty-two references are listed. (CW)

Examined is the relative status of school variables versus home variables to explain the variance in science achievement. The contribution of school variables was found to be both subject specific--larger in subjects taught in school and less dependent on general ability, and system specific--larger in low socioeconomic schools. (Author/CW)

Examined is the influence and developmental nature of science processes. Results indicated that a one-semester process skills course was effective in developing a basis for science content acquisition. Additional gains can be obtained in an extended curricular sequence. (Author/CW)