Hypothesizes that various misconceptions held by students with regard to the mathematical set concept may be explained by the initial collection model. Study findings confirm the hypothesis. (Author/ASK)

Presents an experimental study on students' strategies and association judgments when faced with comparison of a numerical variable in two different samples. Classifies the strategies from a mathematical standpoint to identify theorems in action and two types of misconceptions about association. Contains 21 references. (Author/ASK)

Argues that the candle-and-cylinder demonstration does not show that air is composed of 21% oxygen. Finds that the heating of air results in a partial expulsion of air, and that the flame is extinguished by a local, rather than a complete, consumption of oxygen. (WRM)

Debunks brain/education myths. The term "brain-based education" is redundant; learning is the brain's function. More brain cell connections do not equal more learning. There is no "critical period" for developing human brain capacity. All learning is emotional, and learning never ends. Tips for high-school teachers are…

To help teacher educators and others become better consumers of the teacher standards currently on the market, this article presents and analyzes some claims typically advanced for such standards. All proposals, whether research-based or representing professional consensus, must be respectfully received, reviewed, and discussed. (16 references)…

Reviews studies which concluded that brief fantasy exercises can create false memories in preschool children. Raises important issue about the credibility of memory-creation research with preschool children. States that there are social costs in perpetuating information derived from studies that were not appropriately designed to adequately test…

Reports on students' preexisting knowledge and examines misconceptions among nonscience major undergraduate students. Focuses on evaluating results of misconceptions in selected astronomy courses. (YDS)

Discusses in detail the claim that certain well-known physics experiments demonstrate the magnetic field produced by Maxwell's displacement current. Addresses the question of whether the displacement current acts as a source of magnetic field in the same way as a current in a wire would. (Contains 12 references.) (WRM)

Analyzes responses of 300 parents of children educated in a district enrolling 36% of its elementary students in a multitrack year-round school. Neither calendar was perceived as perfect; parents whose children attend year-round schools had difficulties scheduling family activities. However, these problems do not necessarily detract from parents'…

Surveys business communications students. Finds that students' perceptions about the frequency and use of customer communication, e-mail and fax machines, and visual aids were consistent with the realities of the workplace. Discusses in more detail students' perceptions that were inconsistent with the workplace regarding business document creation…

Presents a study designed to test the effectiveness of a constructivist-historical teaching strategy in changing students' misconceptions about the earth's shape and gravity at the upper elementary and middle school levels. Contains 27 references. (DDR)

Addresses the possible connection between misconceptions of energy in biological phenomena and adherence to scientifically oriented conceptions of biology. Makes recommendations for basing the biology curriculum on the second law of thermodynamics. Contains 31 references. (DDR)

Describes a novel method for analyzing concept maps for research and analysis purposes. Examines 56 complex concept maps generated from student interviews on the topic of chemical bonding. (Contains 32 references.) (Author/YDS)

Explores aspects of the language used in student's written work in a secondary mathematics classroom as a means of assessing their mathematical understanding. Focuses on student's conceptualizations of polygons and their attempts to differentiate between them. Examines the use of database and concordancing software to understand major sources of…

A study conducted by the Indiana Youth Institute ("De-Track Schools," 1991) indicts a tracking system that helps many academically talented students prepare for college, but fails to prepare noncollege-bound students for much of anything. Tracking, as typically practiced, benefits teachers, not students; is contradictory to American…