Summarizes theoretical and empirical aspects of research that is investigating how best to support conceptual learning and the critical role that representations have in complex scientific and mathematical domains. Explains Law Encoding Diagrams (LEDs) and considers how computers may further enhance the potential benefit of LEDs for conceptual…

Examines the possibility that language confusion can be mistaken for misconception. Uses a written test to diagnose physics misconceptions among South African students. Reports that in several cases distracters were chosen by subjects who did not hold the target misconceptions. Indicates that caution is needed in interpreting student responses to…

Considers substance identity and pupils' interaction with the scientific idea of melting and boiling behavior as a means for identification and assessment of purity. Presents evidence that suggests that children do not naturally have a concept of substance identity that allows them to recognize chemical change as a possibility. (Contains 31…

Argues that two theoretical components of a model known as the Conceptual Change Model (CCM) are beneficial constructs for teachers to use when helping students negotiate scientific discourse. Contains 34 references. (DDR)

Argues for a more flexible approach to teaching the scientific method in elementary schools. Recognizes the nonsequential nature of students' thinking when they have been engaged and excited by a topic of inquiry. (DDR)

From case histories of 74 adolescents, six constructs (family, dynamic, cognitive, somatic, generic, developmental) were distilled to explain how their occupational knowledge is formed. The developmental process of knowledge acquisition is influenced by family circumstances at birth, cognitive-conceptual attainment in preschool, and vocabulary in…

Analyses the relationships between concepts describing the composition of matter that were proposed by a sample of prospective primary education teachers on a conceptual map. Content analysis shows that there are four equally representative categories. Describes the activities that were used with the prospective teachers concerning the…

Presents a simple proof of the Pythagorean Theorem that only requires prior knowledge of elementary properties of triangles. (MKR)

Analyzed operational knowledge of the weight concept of high school students after two educational levels: introductory and advanced physics. Results showed that apparent and true weight concepts are poorly assimilated by most of the advanced placement students. Discusses origins of the shortcomings of the alternative knowledge about weight.…

Describes a study in which concept maps drawn by high school students (n=12) were evaluated using quantitative measures. Results indicate that the concept maps are useful in assessing the understanding of relationships between the concepts required for multiple step problem solving in physics. Contains 12 references. (DDR)

Discusses the effect of a flawed strategy on the tactics of conceptual change and draws attention to a broader view of knowledge from a world view perspective. Argues that science needs to be joined with other disciplines in the common goal of developing student world views of which science is one articulated component. Discusses implications for…

Describes the evolution of an introductory astronomy course from fact driven to concept driven. Presents a rationale for a course designed to engage students in considering answers to the questions "what are we?" and "how do we know what we know?" (DDR)

Examines the value of concept maps as instruments for assessment of conceptual understanding, using the maps to compare the knowledge of function that experts and two groups of students (N=28)--traditional and nontraditional--enrolled in university calculus classes hold. Discusses the differences between the student and expert groups as well as…

This study used the Child Concept of Age test with 47 individuals with mental retardation, divided into four age groups. Only subjects in the oldest age group (over 60) had an appropriate concept of age. Results suggest that age-related concepts are difficult for this population and conceptualization of old age is influenced by stereotypes.…

Assesses the ability of university students enrolled in an introductory calculus course to solve related-rates problems set in geometric contexts. Indicates that overall performance on the geometric related-rates problems was poor and the poorest performance was on steps linked to conceptual understanding. (Contains 34 references.) (Author/ASK)