Discusses a study comparing the effectiveness of the group studies approach recommended in the teacher's guide for CBA chemistry with an individualized approach utilizing CBA materials. The individualized group did a well as or better than the other group. Reviews students' attitudes toward individualized course. Twenty-four references. (PR)

Describes the history and seven major characteristics of Nebraska Physical Science Project (NPSP). Characteristics include the reduction of artificial disciplinary lines by integration of chemistry and physics, self directed learning, self pacing, multiple resources for teachers and students, and emphasis on behavioral objectives. (PR)

A study to investigate one of the mechanisms teachers may use to convince themselves incorrectly that students have learned science concepts requiring formal operational ability is presented. The investigation indicates instructors may actually teach and test for memorization of algorithms rather than understanding. (MP)

Chemical education in the People's Republic of China is examined by looking at a university entrance examination and the study guide used in preparation for this examination. (MK)

An integrated physical science course of approximately 40 instructional hours for eighth graders is described. The materials and text were prepared in accordance with the overall program for secondary school science drawn up by the Israeli Ministry of Education. (Author/MK)

A description is given of an Algebra II-Chemistry I combined high school class being taught in an attempt to coordinate chemistry topics with related mathematics topics. (MP)

Describes supplementary audio-visual lessons in inorganic chemistry designed to correct for the wide diversity in educational background by giving the poorly-prepared student additional help in mastering subject matter. In ranking various study aids for their effectiveness, 88 percent of the students ranked audio-visual tapes as most effective.…

Describes a reform effort for the undergraduate curriculum utilizing action-based research teams that developed, implemented, and assessed constructivist approaches to teaching undergraduate science content. Results indicate that the collaborative action-based research process was effective in contributing to the reform of undergraduate teaching.…

Discussed is the effectiveness of using analogies in chemistry instruction. Students' mathematics anxiety, spatial visualization skill, and proportional reasoning ability were found to be important aptitudes for determining chemistry achievement. The relationship between analogs and algorithms is described. (KR)

Discusses problem-solving strategies and the successful strategy used to solve stoichiometric problems in general college chemistry courses. Reports that rereading problems, recalling a related concept, and reasoning deductively/inductively are the most heavily used strategies among 13 categories. (YP)

Investigated is the value of preliminary high school experiences in physics and chemistry. Results indicate that the grades of students with more high school experience are no better than those of students with less experience and that less experienced students spend more time studying and take better advantage of tutors. (CW)

Investigated the relationships between (n=220) students' approaches to studying, prior knowledge, logical thinking, and gender and their performance in a nonmajors' college freshman chemistry course. Found that prior knowledge was the best predictor of achievement, followed by formal reasoning ability. (22 references) (Author/MKR)