Purpose: This study aimed to determine the conceptual understanding (The Unit of Force) levels of seventh-grade students with different cognitive styles with different measurement techniques and to observe how the conceptual understanding levels measured by different measurement techniques are affected by their cognitive styles. Research Method:…

Investigates students' conceptions of force, their methodological characteristics, and their most widely used theoretical foundations. Compares research carried out from 1975-1985 with later research in the period 1985-1995. (Contains 85 references.) (Author/YDS)

Discusses a common misconception in the area of electric circuits at the level of introductory college physics. The data, collected from clinical interviews, shed light on the cognitive sources of misconception. Also discusses some implications for laboratory approaches used in science courses. (Author/SK)

Reviews findings from cognitive studies that are relevant to physics instruction. Organizes the information into four broad principles: (1) pattern construction; (2) changing mental models through assimilation; (3) extending mental models through accommodation; and (4) the individuality of mental models. (DDR)

The planning of an introductory calculus textbook in classical mechanics is shown as an example of an approach to textbook design that uses four main cognitive categories: sources of learning, instruments of learning, processes of knowing, and mechanisms of knowing. The aspects, domains, description, and elements of each section of the textbook…

Critiques five arguments cited in support of process science. Considers the problematic nature of the processes and consequent difficulties encountered in mirroring these processes. Suggests an alternative way of viewing physics education through a trio of types of knowledge which can be used as governing principles in shaping education. (RT)

The knowledge that students bring to the classroom has been a well-studied domain. The types of knowledge studied have included content knowledge as well as epistemological beliefs that students hold. This study focuses specifically on preservice elementary education students' understanding of science and science learning as a meaning-making…

The Blackboard Learning System™, a Web-based server software system, is widely used on many college and university campuses today. This paper explores the use of the Blackboard system as a teaching and learning tool. Particular emphasis is placed on the online chat feature available through the Blackboard interface. During the fall 2002 pilot…

The main purpose of this symposium was to find new ideas and resources for the evaluation and improvement of physics education on all levels. The papers included in this document are entitled: (1) "Quality of Physics Teaching Through Building Models and Advancing Research Skills"; (2) "Evaluation of Physics Education in Terms of Its…