Presents a study into science practical work conducted in Namibian classrooms. Lesson plans, task sheets, student work, lesson transcripts, and observation notes were used to identify intended learning outcomes. Explored aspects of task design and the context of practical tasks. Findings show an emphasis on conceptual as opposed to procedural…

Analyzes two classroom episodes using a classroom mathematical practice together with students' diverse ways of contributing to its continual regeneration as the unit of analysis. Asserts that a classroom mathematical practice is composed of three interrelated types of norms: a normative purpose, normative standards of argumentation, and normative…

Discusses potential pedagogical difficulties arising from using physics-related contexts in high-school mathematics problems. Suggests that such problems should not require any external knowledge of physics by the students; meanwhile, the problems should not contradict the physics knowledge that the students may already have. Presents several…

Conceptual issues related to dropping out, student engagement, and school completion are raised. Thirteen criteria are described as guidelines for designing, evaluating, and documenting programs to enhance successful school completion for all students. Recommendations for future research and practice include implementation of interventions,…

Investigates the impact an undergraduate quantum chemistry course has on students' knowledge and understanding of atomic orbitals, molecular orbitals, and related concepts. Analysis reveals that students do not have a clear understanding of these concepts and confuse the various atomic orbital representations. Includes some suggestions and…

A hypermedia method for teaching management theory is presented as a tool that develops conceptual learning needed for systems thinking. Hypermedia enable links to supporting materials that illustrate the multidimensional nature of management in organizations. (SK)

Investigated in 3 studies whether 2- to 4-year-olds make accurate causal inferences on the basis of patterns of variation and covariation. Found that all three age groups considered information from various patterns of variation and covariation in judgments regarding two objects and activation of a machine. Three- and 4-year-olds used the…

Investigates students' understandings and misconceptions of specific concepts in chemistry by using the quantum model of atoms and molecules. (Contains 20 references.) (YDS)

Discusses Newton's long struggle with the concepts of inertia and centrifugal force as an example of high-grade scientific thinking. Discusses the role of textbooks and how they largely emphasize memorization. Suggests that the historical approach can be more time-consuming than textbook-based teaching and that it requires a good understanding of…

Examination of senior secondary and tertiary level chemistry students' descriptions of their mental models for chemical bonding revealed prevalent alternative conceptions. Some 20 alternative conceptions were revealed, the most common being belief that continuous ionic or metallic lattices were molecular in nature, and confusion over ionic size…

Describes and reviews the book "The Educational Concepts of Secondary School Science Teachers" by Paul Hurd. (MM)

Shares understanding of what a concept carton is. Outlines views of those who have used them. (ASK)

Studied differences in learning activities between students who were successful using the CONTACT-2 strategy and those who were not. CONTACT-2 is characterized by continuous computer-assisted activation of the concepts of individual learners as they process expository texts. Results for 10 fifth and sixth graders show the importance of the second…

In this article I present some ideas, based on qualitative research into young children's drawing, related to the developing discourse on young children's thinking and meaning making. I question the relationship between perception and conception and the nature of representation, challenging traditional ideas around stage theory and shifting the…

The development of the concept of matter was explored by interviewing 84 children aged 3-13 in Slovenia. Children were asked to describe objects and substances placed in front of them. Children's responses were coded and explored for patterns indicating development with age. The patterns of responses indicate that by acting on objects and…