This story of a student's misconceptions about quadrilateral properties makes a case for the importance of teachers not only knowing where their students have been and where they are in terms of their learning, but also where their current learning will lead them in the future. Suggested classroom activities are included. (Contains 8 figures.)

Research into children's ideas showed that children's interpretations of natural phenomena often differ from those of scientists. The aim of our study was to identify children's ideas of various age classes (7/8-14/15) about birds. A questionnaire with 31 multiple choice and open ended questions and eight photographs were administered to 495…

Nearly 20 years after the release of The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics' video, "A Private Universe", much research has been done in relation to students' understanding of space-science concepts and how to effectively change these ideas. However, student difficulties with basic space-science concepts still persist. This article will…

Despite over 10 years of reform efforts, research still shows that students typically have inadequate conceptions of what science is and what scientists do. Many science students, as well as some teachers, use a single "scientific method" that, "proves a hypothesis" by systematic data collection. By following a prescribed set of steps, and writing…

When it comes to academic achievement, it is indisputable that, as a group, Asian-American students outperform their African-American and Latino peers on every measure. By most measures, they also beat white students. But another truth, much less acknowledged in education and policy circles, is that the story of Asian-American academic achievement…

This study investigated children's knowledge of division and its relationship to their teacher's conceptual understanding of division following Professional Development. A paper and pencil test was administered to 47 year 7 students and 2 teachers over 2 phases. Following the testing, six students and the teacher from each phase were interviewed.…

The purpose of this paper is to propose a matrix of attributes that characterize various alternative conceptions across the content areas, or domains, of science. It reports the results of testing the matrix on reported alternative conceptions by scoring their attributes and looking for trends in various domains. The authors found that some…

Most users have misconceptions about how the Internet works. Provides a brief history of the Internet and Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP); discusses electronic mail, privacy, and voluntary and involuntary information gathering; and contrasts the Internet and libraries, focusing on the Internet's lack of consistent…

Investigates the conceptions and representations of light propagation, image formation, and sight typical to preinstruction learners (N=139). Findings indicate that preinstructional students display some familiarity with optical systems, light propagation, and illumination patterns and have not developed a consistent descriptive and explanatory…

Reviews research about a profound misconception among college students: the belief that the process of vision includes emanations from their ideas. Documents the strength and breadth of this phenomenon and the failure of traditional educational techniques to overcome this belief. Asserts that students are leaving psychology courses with flawed…

Resistance to self-direction in learning often results from misconception: self-direction is all or nothing, implies learning in isolation, is a fad, is not worth the time, is an easy way out for teachers, and is the one best way for adults. The relationship of self-directed learning to humanist concepts also gives rise to resistance. (SK)

Exposes misperceptions of the nature and usefulness of theory and explains benefits for practice of generalizability and testability. Guides practitioners through application of theory to each stage of intervention or program development. (SK)

To increase multicultural awareness, Portland (Oregon) Public Schools have commissioned "Baseline Essays," series of texts describing a specific geocultural group's history, culture, and contributions. "Baseline Essay on Science" claims that basic ideas in modern science were anticipated and formulated by the ancient Egyptians…

Finds from textbook review that the value of 'g' should be described as the strength of the gravitational field rather than as acceleration. (CCM)

Discusses the importance of technological literacy for the 21st century. Points out that, of the top 100 headlines of the 20th century, over 40 percent were related to technology, yet many people have an outdated notion of what technology really is. Discusses the need for standards of technological literacy. (JOW)