Discussion of how student teachers build concrete concepts and defined concepts in telecommunication environments focuses on a study that used the AskERIC database to demonstrate the role of intellectual skills in developing conceptualizations, to compare and contrast elements of a lesson plan, and to define the role of telecommunication in…

This study examined how novel words foster the formation of object categories for 12- to 13-month olds. Results indicated that by 12 to 13 months, infants have begun to distinguish between novel words presented as count nouns versus adjectives in fluent, infant-directed speech, and that infants' expectations for novel words accord with this…

Tests for alternative conceptions of students enrolled in a second course of sciences at the Teacher Training School in Pamplona, Spain of a geological topic (silicates) that had been studied at previous educational levels. Students' concept maps showed the existence of a large number of alternative conceptions. Contains 26 references. (Author/ASK)

An open-ended, written test was administered to 364 students divided into four groups according to their scientific learning background at a teachers college. Results indicate that although the science-major students performed better than nonscience majors, their understanding of condensation and boiling concepts still needed to be enhanced.…

Establishes six levels from an inductive proof to an algebraic demonstration on the bases of three axes in lower secondary school mathematics. Examines the meanings of demonstration and proof in lower secondary school mathematics and shows the relationships between them. Illustrates the discussion with a seventh grade student's activities.…

Proposes that children progressively recognize deeper and deeper similarities between their physical angle experiences, and classify them firstly into specific situations, then into more general contexts, and finally into abstract domains. Indicates that the standard angle concept first develops in situations where both arms of the angle are…

Explores the successive and progressive changes in the structural complexity and propositional validity of knowledge held by students enrolled in an advanced undergraduate university-level biology course. Finds that in general, a significant amount of weak restructuring occurs and that the most radical type of strong restructuring occurs during…

Examines how teachers, students, and scientists construct ways of investigating and knowing science. Identifies ways that particular teaching strategies provide opportunities for student engagement. (Author/CCM)

Finds that chemistry learning is conceptualized by gymnasium teachers as gaining knowledge, problem-solving, and constructing personal understandings. (Author/CCM)

Reports on a study of student understanding of the wave nature of matter in the context of the pattern produced by the diffraction and interference of particles. Errors made by students after standard instruction indicates the presence of similar conceptual and reasoning difficulties at three different educational levels. (Contains over 20…

In order to help students more effectively, it is necessary to know how students use and perceive mathematics in out-of-school settings. Discusses some mathematical concepts and processes--such as the concept of function and the process of estimating--which provide evidence of students' mathematical ideas. (ASK)

Faced with the absence of a conceptual framework and the terminology for establishing evaluation criteria in the substance abuse prevention services field, this special issue is devoted to exploring the topics of accountability and performance measures. It discusses the requisite components (i.e., theory, methodology, convention on terms, data)…

Traces the origin and early usage of the term andragogy in the 19th and 20th centuries. Reviews the andragogy debate and the viability of the theory. Concludes with reflections on the search for identity in the field of adult education. (SK)

Reports the findings of a three-year study that explored the development of children's concepts of evaporation at room temperature and condensation of atmospheric water vapor. (DDR)

Relates the reasoning of students introduced to the concept of chemical equilibrium to the historical development of the concept. Concludes that the study of authentic historical sources may inspire the design of effective teaching activities. Contains 33 references. (DDR)