Technology plays a vital role in bridging the digital divide and fostering sustainability in educational development. This is evident through the successful use of social media in educational marketing campaigns and through the integration of massive open online courses to reorient learner interactions in higher education environments.…

Questionnaires were sent to 2,000 public and independent elementary, middle, and junior high schools in New Jersey to determine the status of K-8 science teaching. Survey results (with 21 percent response) are reported for: organization (grade ranges, school location, total number of elementary teachers, number of elementary teachers teaching…

The diversity of the educational system of the United States that engenders a wealth of innovative ideas and varied practices also makes it an extremely complex system to confront and understand as a whole. This survey was undertaken to develop current baseline data on all secondary school teachers of physics in the United States, including those…

Each issue in this set of newsletters is devoted exclusively to reviews of a science textbook. Each text is reviewed by two scientists and one science educator. Textbooks reviewed by issue are: (1) "Scott, Foresman Biology" (1988); (2) "Heath Life Science" (1987); (3) "Prentice-Hall Biology" (1987); (4) "Scott, Foresman Life Science" (1987); (5)…

The quality of a high school's physics program is determined in part by the quality of preparation and the overall workload of its teachers, along with the provision for adequate budgets, facilities, and support services. The guidelines presented in this booklet were prepared by a task force of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)…

In the past, science textbooks have been the target of criticism of science educators in studies of sex bias in the past. The purpose of this study was to examine the illustrations in the biology textbooks most commonly used in high schools in the United States. Seven textbooks were examined for their representation of women in illustrations of…

The quality of a two-year college's physics program is determined in part by the quality of preparation and the overall workload of its teachers, along with the provision for adequate budgets, facilities, and support services. The guidelines presented in this booklet were prepared by a task force of the American Association of Physics Teachers…

Reports two surveys conducted in 1983 and 1986 to determine physical chemistry textbooks being used. The selection processes and results are discussed. Provides six tables showing the results. (YP)

The production of science textbooks and the processes whereby both producers and consumers can work to improve them are described. Included are discussions of selection at the state level and a publishers perspective, and six textbook experiments at different levels from different publishers. (CW)

The first (exploratory) phase of the Learning in Science Project focused on science teaching/learning in the Form 1 to 4 level (ages 10 to 14) and sought to identify problems and difficulties in several areas. Provided in this paper are comments obtained during structured/unstructured interviews (from students, ex-students, teachers, headmasters,…

Investigated was the mathematical content of 15 college-level physical-geology textbooks published in the period 1980-90. A list of textbooks is provided. Methods, comparisons with other fields of science, and the treatment of specific geological concepts are discussed. (CW)

Examines the reading level and potential comprehension level of 10 fourth-grade science textbooks. Reports that there is a great deal of variability between and within the science texts. (YP)

Reported are the results of a study of organic chemistry courses at 33 different undergraduate colleges and universities. Details of the site visits including lecture and laboratory components of the courses are provided. (CW)

Examines science textbook language and determines some characteristics of them: distant authorial voice, concern for precision, limited context, limited syntax, and rhetorical model. Suggests three further researcher needs. (YP)

Some experts believe that dismal learning experiences in biology classes cause the vast majority of students to miss information that could help them lead healthier lives and make more intelligent decisions as adults. This book offers a vision of what biology education in the schools could be along with practical recommendations on how to make the…