In a sample of 455 Taiwanese upper-secondary school students, latent variable structural equation modeling was used to test hypothesized relationships between beliefs about knowledge in science, beliefs about justification for knowing in science, and justification of knowledge claims concerning science encountered on the Internet. Results…

In this paper, we utilize a discursive psychological approach to further explore agency and structure in science education research. The aim of our research is to understand how we can provide opportunities for marginalized students in preservice elementary teacher education in an Australian university to become agentic concerning environmental…

We propose a new model of the factors influencing acceptance of evolutionary theory that highlights a novel variable unexplored in previous studies: the feeling of certainty (FOC). The model is grounded in an emerging understanding of brain function that acknowledges the contributions of intuitive cognitions in making decisions, such as whether or…

There is a growing awareness that science education should center not just on knowledge acquisition but developing the foundation for lifelong learning. However, for intentional learning of science to occur in school, out of school, and after school, there needs to be a motivation to learn science. Prior research had shown that students'…

Uses design effect and hierarchical linear modeling to explore whether there were significant gender differences in science achievements in Australian schools (grades 5-12). Results indicate that school level differences were more significant in explaining student differences (9-19%) when compared with gender (3%). (ZWH)

(PR)

Reports results of study of perceived influence of sociocultural environment of science classes on learning. Nigerian secondary school science students (n=707) were given the Socio-Cultural Environmental Scale and were assessed on the following subscales: authoritarianism, goal structure, African world view, societal expectation, and sacredness of…

Investigates South African teachers as a possible source of pupils' erroneous ideas about respiration. The views of 136 teachers were elicited by means of an analysis of how teachers marked an essay containing errors commonly found among year-12 students. Teacher responses suggest that many of them as well might have erroneous ideas. (PR)

Analyzes the performance of male and female high school students (n=43,000) on the Australian National Chemistry Quiz in 1991. Results showed that on many questions boys outperformed girls. Reasons why boys and girls might differ in the rates of solving some of the questions are discussed, and directions for identifying the nature, extent, and…

Reports descriptive study concerning student understanding of isomers. Sample of 7,441 senior high school students completed tests which contained 12 questions on isomerism. Results indicate students are inclined to restrict their concept of isomerism to compounds belonging to the same class. There was no evidence students expected molecular…

This article aims to present the results obtained from science teachers about their attitudes toward students' conceptions and the use of teaching strategies based on these conceptions. The results may contribute to the planning of inservice courses. (Author)

Reports a study examining the relationship between affect and achievement for grade eight students in Australia (n=390). It was found that affect is related more strongly to previous than subsequent achievement and that much of the common variance can be attributed to students' perceptions of their competence in science. (PR)

This article reports on answers by children (grades 1-9, n=83) to oral and written questions concerning the phase change from liquid to gas. The development of concepts was followed, proceeding from concrete to abstract ideas. Many students were found to experience difficulties in problem solving even though they may have had the necessary level…

A study (n=631) of children's ideas on motion of objects is reported. On three items of a four-part questionnaire, responses changed as the children matured, passing through distinct, successive stages with respect to their conceptual understanding. If teaching strategies to overcome misconceptions are to be effective, they must be appropriate to…

The presentation of gas properties in terms of the qualitative-quantitative mode and gas law sequence is examined by analysis of 14 chemistry textbooks used in Australia and on questionnaires concerning teaching approaches by 104 teachers. Findings indicate that teaching involves minimal use of qualitative relationships of the gas laws and…