Although researchers in higher education propose alternatives to traditional approaches to assessment, traditional methods are commonly used in college or university science courses. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility and validity of Prospective Science Teachers' (PSTs) concept maps as authentic assessment tools in a…

Described a probe that can assess the learners' understanding of scientific ideas in conditions that do not demand closure on a single interpretation, and where learners can demonstrate certainty or otherwise in several possible alternatives. Can be used in monitoring conceptual change when intuitive understanding of scientific phenomena is to be…

Interviewed Chinese migrant students concerning recognition and comprehension of science concept labels in Chinese and English. Found mean recognition and comprehension scores to be higher in Chinese, with indications that science knowledge learned in Chinese deteriorated with increasing time of residence in Australia. Discussed implications for…

Investigated children's conceptualization of scientific phenomena and intuitive methods learned from their everyday experiences. Explores the nature of tinkering within the context of electricity. Presents a model of tinkering that provides a conceptual framework for the interpretation of tinkering as one of the methods students use to make sense…

Examines 4 biology and 10 chemistry textbooks to determine the types of analogies, their ranges of presentation style, and their efficacy to effect students' conceptual understandings. Presents recommendations to teachers for improving the teaching and learning of biology and chemistry by investigating instructional strategies and clarifying their…