In this article, we study third-year university students' reasoning about three controversial socio-scientific issues from the viewpoint of education for sustainable development: local issues (the reintroduction of bears in the Pyrenees in France, wolves in the Mercantour) and a global one (global warming). We used the theoretical frameworks of…

The purpose of this study is to contribute to a theoretical knowledge base through research by examining factors salient to science education reform and practice in the context of socioscientific issues. The study explores how individuals negotiate and resolve genetic engineering dilemmas. A qualitative approach was used to examine patterns of…

The central concern of this study, which was briefly reviewed in ED 049 143, was to determine effective teaching strategies and practices in secondary social studies classroom discussions of social issues. Teaching effectiveness was evaluated in terms of the cognitive or critical thinking skills of participating students, and their attitudes…

The main objective of this study was to develop a category system to analyze or evaluate issue-centered classroom discussion (teaching-learning processes, cognitive and affective classroom interaction, verbal transactions (communication patterns), and, achievement of behavioral objectives). Behaviors investigated were: the extent of Michigan…

This study was an investigation of the socio-psychological or affective "side effects" of social issues instruction. Specific student behaviors and responses were measured and evaluated. First, student evaluations of teachers and classes (appreciation, perceived value, and logical benefits in critical thinking) were measured. Secondly,…