This study examines the effectiveness of pre-laboratory presentations in an undergraduate general chemistry laboratory using two different modes of delivery: a traditional lecture versus an in-class video presentation. It was anticipated that implementation of videos could result in improved laboratory efficiency, safety, and necessary technical…

This study examined the impact of microteaching experiences of preservice elementary teachers enrolled in a science teaching methods course. The microteaching lessons targeted the physical science concepts represented in the Texas Educational Agency's exam for early childhood through sixth grade teacher certification. The results of this study…

The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to investigate prospective elementary teachers' conceptual understanding of buoyancy. Specifically, the study aimed to identify the scientifically accepted conceptions, and misconceptions that preservice teachers hold about buoyancy using an instructional intervention. Presently, there is a gap…

Combined three-dimensional, haptic-enabled, virtual reality (3D HE VR) systems allow students to actively engage and explore various science concepts by leveraging user-friendly and immersive interfaces. Successful implementation of these learning tools in science classrooms hinges upon teachers' perceptions of the technology's potential as a…

Physics and physical science content are essential for many professional fields, and they are an important component of scientific literacy. Yet, students are commonly less engaged in physics learning at all levels. Funds of knowledge approaches to science instruction build upon learners' real-world experiences and interests in order to make…

For the successful implementation of educational reforms that aim to get students to be active learners, it has to be realized that teachers are the actual determiners of the classroom curriculum. Therefore, teachers who are in the position of the administrators of these reforms should get support and develop positive beliefs about the…

This article investigates the participating students' evaluation of a teacher training seminar about heterogeneity in the classroom at Bielefeld University, Germany. The evaluation made use of a short questionnaire and an end-of-term test of the students' knowledge on the subject matter. The questionnaire is tested for objectivity, reliability,…

This article deals with a concept helping to reflect on teaching practice in the project "Kolumbus-Kids" at Bielefeld University. Lesson reflection aims at the mediation and training of certain teaching competences of student teachers, and therefore self-reflection is promoted by using the newly developed reflection wiki, its videotaping…

Research experiences for teachers have been shown to improve their knowledge and teaching practice. One type of research experience not as well studied is undergraduate science education research. Using qualitative research methodologies, the teaching practices and tools of seven novice teachers who participated in undergraduate science education…

University laboratory science courses are typically designed to prepare science majors or those who are pursuing health related careers. These courses often do not provide the experiences necessary to improve elementary preservice teacher science teaching efficacy or attitudes and beliefs toward science. This research utilized a university science…

The past generation has seen major advances in science and technology, and in the preparation of high school students for college. This study investigates changes in the science knowledge of college students, and in their attitudes and belief systems regarding science and technology. Over 12,600 non-science majors at the University of Arizona were…

The application of literacy strategies in the context of inquiry-based elementary science instruction betokens an expansion of contemporary thought regarding cross-curricular instruction. Yet, in light of the potential and promise of new developments, the perceptions of preservice teachers, who will soon be expected to make use of such…

National Research Council polices (NRC, 2012a, 2012b) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 (Pub. L. No. 114-145) call for educators to have active roles in teaching to achieve new goals and purposes for education. A high priority is teaching content knowledge and information fluency skills that will result in deep learning, higher…

The purpose of this study was to explore how participation in iterative cycles of a modified model of lesson study could potentially provide preservice teachers opportunities to develop the ability to notice students' science thinking. Using a case study approach, we examined how six preservice teachers illustrated aspects of "professional…

The present paper focuses on the acquisition of hedging techniques by first-year undergraduate students at the University of Tokyo in Japan. One of the major difficulties faced by aspiring science writers lies in positioning their arguments in relation to the preexisting literature. This originates from the fact that writing in the field of…