Demonstrates the possible confusion arising from the terms 'weak acid' and 'weakly acidic' in different contexts. Suggests some reasons and possible approaches for overcoming these confusions. (Author/ASK)

Presents a framework that connects concepts such as expert consensus models, target models, intermediate models, preconceptions, learning processes, and natural reasoning skills for thinking about cognitive factors involved in model construction in the classroom. Provides guidance to teachers in the form of instructional principles and reminds…

Proposes a taxonomy of three levels in increasing order of mathematical demand in order to understand a set of mathematical skills of some importance to beginning undergraduates in engineering and mathematics. Suggests that the constructed instrument is robust and the taxonomy used is effective. (Contains 22 references.) (Author/ASK)

Analyzes students' misunderstanding of basic thermodynamic concepts on historical grounds. Finds that the persistence of some ideas from the caloric model are reinforced by magnitude names and unit definitions that were brought up at the early stages of thermodynamic development. Explores the failure of many popular textbooks to make a clear…

Currently molecular structure is taught in general chemistry using three theories, this being based more on historical development rather than logical pedagogy. Electronegativity is taught with a confusing mixture of definitions that do not correspond to modern practice. Valence bond theory and VSEPR are used together in a way that often confuses…

Explores why the idea of outsourcing campus information technology (IT) services rouses opinions and passions best handled by informed dialogue. Discusses how to conduct this dialog, including common myths about outsourcing and useful lessons. (EV)

Reports on group conceptions of magnetism. (Author/CCM)

Presents a research project in which the nature and extent of the misunderstanding of moles is quantified. Outlines a design and the implementation of a set of activities to promote conceptual change in this area. (CCM)

Examines first-year university students' (n=630) understanding of fundamental calculus concepts at three South African universities. Identifies several misconceptions underlying students' understanding of calculus concepts. Addresses some of the common errors and misconceptions related to students' understanding of 'limit of a function' and…

Explores students' worldviews as revealed by their ideas about the causality of earthquakes after experiencing the natural disaster. Finds that students accept scientific ideas and abandon their original worldviews, accept scientific ideas and retain their original worldviews, or retain their original worldviews and ignore the scientific…

Explains the concept of mole and presents a teaching approach in which students can experiment with atoms and develop an understanding of mass ratios. Presents 10 examples of chemistry problems involving moles and unit conversations. (YDS)

Introduces an activity in which students record their learning about scientists by writing different types of poems. (YDS)

In this article, we analyze the complexity of using instructional dialogues in the teaching of mathematics. We trace a 10-lesson unit on functions and their graphs taught by Magdalene Lampert to a 5th-grade classroom. We use this trace to help analyze and systematize the complexity of the classroom discourse. Analysis shows that Lampert's…

Fluency disorders are communicative disabilities that can lead to psychosocial and emotional issues. The most prevalent of these disorders is stuttering. People who stutter may cope with stigmatization and discrimination throughout their lives as a result of misconceptions and misinformation about the disability's etiology and manifestations.…

From a personal perspective, the author reflects upon the notion that many research findings appear falsely to possess the quality of being "obvious". Specific attention is given to the topic of teacher effectiveness. The feeling that findings are obvious can be related to the following: the false consensus effect, selfserving cognition, hindsight…