This study aimed to explore lower secondary teachers' negotiation of the meaning of laboratory work in a professional development program. A total of 15 in-service teachers participated in the program. In the program, tensions between key ideas concerning traditional way of addressing laboratory work -- with emphasis on subject content and skills…

Reports on a study designed to (a) determine the effects of visually-enhanced, hands-on student instruction as compared with non-visually enhanced hands-on instruction, and (b) test the feasibility of using simple concept map-like structures as a means of determining student conceptual growth in a non-language dependent manner. Concludes that the…

Focuses on the gap between research findings and implementation of the results into science teacher education programs, curricula, and professional practices. Addresses one implementation issue that needs to inform future research, teacher education, professional development, and classroom instruction: How views of science, learning, discourse,…

Clarifies the meaning of the Nature of Science (NOS) and scientific inquiry in the context of reform efforts in science education. Delineates several misconceptions promoted (or ignored) by reform efforts. Proposes that without explicit instructional attention to the NOS and scientific inquiry, students will once again learn science subject matter…