This 10-day study compared the effects of alternative ways of using microcomputer simulations on the achievement and attitudes of sixth- and seventh-grade science students (N=173). Nine classes were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: (1) microcomputer simulations; (2) laboratory activities; (3) a combination of simulation and laboratory…

Recognizing the need of all students for awareness of nature and functions of the computer in modern society, as well as computer literacy for those specializing in specific major fields, this guide was developed to aid secondary school teachers in determining how to integrate computer education in their courses. The first of the five goals…

The following papers on English for special purposes are collected here: (1) "An Investigation of Some of the English Language Problems of Overseas Students at the National College of Agricultural Engineering, Silsoe" by M. Keech; (2) "The Organization of Pre-sessional Courses, with Special Reference to Seminar Skills" by S.R. Slater; (3) "Notes…

These materials, developed for upper elementary and junior high school students, focus on a selected core of population learning objectives. Included are 24 self-contained student activities designed to be integrated into the existing curriculum. The activities relate to population concepts that can be investigated through mathematics, science,…

Reports on a study which compared the effectiveness of microcomputer simulated experiences with that of parallel, hands-on laboratory instruction for teaching the concept of volume displacement to junior high school students. Results indicated that computer simulated experience were as affective as hands-on laboratory experiences. (TW)

Describes mechanisms of thought associated with making predictions. Concludes that successful predictors had high initial knowledge of the subject matter and were formally operational. Unsuccessful predictors had low initial knowledge and were concretely operational. Systematic manipulation, note taking, and higher-level thinking skills were…

Describes eight applications of the use of computers in teaching chemistry. Includes discussions of audio frequency measurements of heat capacity ratios, quantum mechanics, ab initio calculations, problem solving using spreadsheets, simplex optimization, faradaic impedance diagrams, and the recording and tabulation of student laboratory data. (TW)

Describes three teaching activities used in the Chemistry for Kids program which focus on how esters are chemicals partially responsible for the flavor of foods. Includes a discussion of a demonstration involving role-playing, a set of taste tests, and an activity using chewing gum to investigate odors in food. (TW)

Discusses use of microcomputers for structuring, communicating, and disseminating information under the categories of instructional use (computer-assisted instruction), emancipation (number crunching), revelatory (discovery/simulation), and conjectural (hypothesis testing). Also discusses use of PROLOG language for modeling ecosystems and testing…

Inconsistencies in scores from computer-simulated and "hands-on" science performance assessments have led to questions about the exchangeability of these two methods in spite of the highly touted potential of computer-simulated performance assessment. This investigation considered possible explanations for students' inconsistent performances: (1)…

Rich educational environments encourage students to construct their own knowledge, to solve problems collaboratively, and to heighten their interest and motivation to continue to learn. This paper presents the findings of a qualitative study that investigated the formation of collaborative problem solving through social interaction during a…

This paper discusses the role of high school chemistry teachers' beliefs in implementing computer visualization software to teach atomic and molecular structure from a quantum mechanical perspective. The informants in this study were four high school chemistry teachers with comparable academic and professional backgrounds. These teachers received…

Presents chemistry experiments, laboratory procedures, demonstrations, teaching suggestions, and classroom materials/activities. These include: game for teaching ionic formulas; method for balancing equations; description of useful redox series; computer programs (with listings) for water electrolysis simulation and for determining chemical…

Describes personal contributions made by the author in individualized instruction, including: Individually Prescribed Instruction (IPI), the Doctor of Arts program, and the development of educational videodiscs. Innovations in these areas are discussed: education for the handicapped, personal development education, industrial and military…

Describes an integrated science unit to help preservice teachers gain confidence in their abilities to learn and teach science. The teachers role played being salmon as they learned about the salmon's life cycle and the difficulties salmon encounter. The unit introduced the use of investigative activities that begin with questions and end with…