In order for standards to become the cornerstone of teachers' professional lives, they must first develop a keen understanding of the history and philosophy underlying standards, gain a working familiarity with standards documents, and engage in sense-making experiences that lead to personal meaning or internalization of the standards. This paper…

A review of research indicates a lack of studies dealing with the impact of methods and materials on student attitudes, understanding, performance, and motivation. Research tends to be discipline-centered rather than pupil-or learning- centered. (Author)

Discusses seven energy frameworks (such as human-centered energy, energy as an ingredient, energy as a product, and energy as an obvious activity), illustrated by extracts taken from transcripts of students interviewed by the interview-about-instances approach. Considers difficulty in effecting as well as methods for creating conceptual change.…

General course content of and instructional strategies for two high school chemistry courses are described. Includes a list of experiments done during the 40-week school year. (SK)

Topics and instructional strategies for an upper-level, problem-oriented science and society course at De Paul University are described. Objectives and grading procedures for "Problems in Modern Warfare, Arms Control, and Disarmament" are also described. Course syllabus, bibliography, and sample quizzes/examinations are available from…

An instructional system at the University of Maine (Orono) was developed to address problems unique to this institution. The system consists of biology instructional modules, variable pacing through computer-generated examinations, and variable credit. Although lectures were initially eliminated, they were reinitiated to motivate students and help…

Theses proposed in C. P. Snow's book "The Two Cultures," including uncommunicative scientific and literary groups, gap between rich and poor, overpopulation, and nuclear war remain viable topics. Discusses the scientific and literary cultural gap and what can be done in general studies science courses to ameliorate the condition.…

Compared effectiveness of a Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS)-style laboratory program in a university general biology course against a popular traditionally oriented program. Although learning gains for both groups were significant, students using the BSCS-style investigations scored significantly higher on a posttest of laboratory…

Investigated relationship between lesson content and participation of pupils in rural India primary schools. Spontaneous participation in teacher-directed classrooms (N=136) was shown to be correlated with time spent by teachers in relating textbook content to pupils' natural experience. Experiments and teaching aids were also useful in drawing…

Describes an instruction system combining features of lecture and independent study methods, including course management and instructional materials. Compares course to lecture and independent study sections. (SK)

Following the description of a college organic chemistry course involving self-study and small group classroom work, summarizes five years of teaching the course (1976-1980) to chemistry majors. (Author/SK)

This is an announcement of a series of small booklets produced by the Science Teaching Project of the Curriculum Development Centre in Australia. Each booklet is designed to be of practical assistance to science teachers and guidance for the classroom situation. (CS)

Describes a physical geology assignment in which students are required to keep a journal of their daily observations, impressions, and questions which come to mind about the Earth. Presents the role of the journal, outlines the criteria for evaluation, and provides samples of student reaction to the assignment. (GS)