Reviews research on the purpose and effectiveness of laboratory activities. Discusses epistemology, problem solving, cooperative learning, student involvement, assessment, and teachers as researchers. (YP)

Synthesized are the results of five qualitative investigations of high school science classrooms in Western Australia and in the state of Georgia. Gender differences were observed in each study and teachers were not aware of their occurrence. (Author/YP)

Investigates student engagement patterns in high school science classes. Finds that three to five students, known as target students, monopolized classroom interactions in most classes and they tended to be high-achieving students. Most target students were male and tended to be persistent. Provides a student involvement questionnaire in the…

This paper provides a focus on the successful and positive facets of schooling from a series of case studies. The study involved 13 researchers in over 500 hours of intensive classroom observation of 20 exemplary teachers and a comparison group of non-exemplary teachers. The qualitative information was complemented by quantitative information…

Investigates specific strategies and activities used by two chemistry teachers to enhance student understanding of chemistry at the 11th- and 12fth-grade levels. Discusses teacher characteristics, class activities, classroom management, and monitoring for understanding. (YP)

How do new teachers become confident and competent while they are interns in inner-city neighborhood schools challenged by many problems, often associated with economic shortfalls and cultural differences between the students and their teachers? Many science teacher education programs place a lot of emphasis on the planning stages of curriculum.…