We've all experienced it in one way or another: bright, eager students start the year ready to tackle the biggest challenges in physics and life. Yet as the semester wears on and the physics gets more challenging, student enthusiasm waivers. They lose confidence and feel pressure to prove themselves worthy of a difficult and sometimes intimidating…

We investigated the effects of in-game learning supports' timing in a game called Physics Playground where we randomly assigned 149 students (M[subscript age] = 14, SD = 0.96) to receive learning supports either Before (n = 50) or After (n = 46) playing game levels--a no-support Control (n = 53) condition was included. We found that students…

Explains how watching video clips of Richard Feynman helped students change their ideas regarding science, scientists, and society. (PR)

Describes the rationale for using computer-assisted videodisc lessons to enhance introductory chemistry courses at University of Illinois, and presents sample lessons to illustrate what students see and do as they proceed through the lessons. Lesson construction and use are reviewed. (MBR)

Describes a two-week lesson on electric fields that combined lecture, interactive video, lab experimentation, computer spread sheets, and computer-assisted-graphing. (PR)