Describes one student's learning pathway as a sequence of several metastable conceptions of the atom starting from a planetary model. Displays the final cognitive element as an association of three parallel conceptions. Contains 26 references. (DDR)

Examines how the theory of evolution was received by the scientific community at the time of its inception to provide insight into some of the difficulties that students have in learning some important biological concepts. Contains 82 references. (DDR)

Focuses on many alternative conceptions and nonconceptions about material related to equilibrium and thermodynamics. Uses interviews and compares the concepts from these with those expressed by experts in textbooks. (DDR)

A second-order factor analytic model of conceptual, instrumental, and symbolic use of evaluation information was developed and tested with 308 British Columbia school teachers. Results confirm a three-factor structure of conceptual, instrumental, and symbolic use. (SLD)

Uses digraphing as methodology to synthesize students' conceptions of natural phenomena in order to identify the structural characteristics of their conceptions. Contains 41 references. (DDR)

Reports on a project in which science vocabulary was systematically taught to two classes of students ages 9-10 in order to improve their performance in science courses. Outlines strategies for teaching vocabulary, consolidation, and evaluation of student progress. (DDR)

Focuses on students' understanding of electric circuits. Findings suggest that children's interpretive frameworks of electric circuits are reflected in the specificity of the details, consistency, and coherence of their understanding. Contains 23 references. (DDR)

The California Mathematics Standards are cynical, mind-numbing, and shallow. Instead of balancing problem solving, concept development, and skill acquisition, the standards are full of obsolete mathematics and devoid of problem solving. Students offering only an algorithm when asked for meaning have style without substance. Blind memorization is…

Two experiments used the preferential looking task to assess early word comprehension in 12- to 24-month olds. Results indicated that when target stimuli were named, 12-month olds displayed an increase in target looking for typical--but not atypical--targets, whereas 18- and 24-month olds displayed increases for both. (Author/KB)

Adult and 10- and 12-month olds participated in two experiments to determine reliance of infants on object-kind information in solving problems of object individuation. Findings converge with those of object-first hypothesis of developmental course of object individuation. Findings suggest that young infants may represent one concept as criteria…

Advocates using a reasoned argument to approach the research-conceptualization process, wherein the different aspects of any study logically relate to each other. Discusses common aspects of the four research components that are often ignored and thus result in discrepancies across the components. (Author/GCP)

Focuses on how to define "writing" that can account for the interplay between spoken and written expressions, among other things. Specific sections discuss the definition of "writing," the concept of writing and the future development of writing, "integrational semiology," closing in on writing or excluding its more recent developments, and a…

Two experiments examined development of economic understanding among 5-, 7- and 9-year-olds. Found that most 5-year-olds understood the goal of acquiring desired goods, and most 7- and 9-year-olds also understood the goals of seeking profits, acquiring goods inexpensively, and competing successfully with other sellers. Results suggest that older…

Identifies misconceptions concerning the effect of gravity on planetary motion and attempts to foster conceptual change through the hands-on, informal environment of a science museum. (Author/CCM)

Reports children's understanding of objects with different anthropomorphic features, including a person, robot, computer, and doll. Shows that different objects did not elicit substantially different judgement patterns concerning their ability to think on their own, with the exception of a clear pattern of increased understanding of clever…