The intended, implemented, and actually achieved chemistry curricula were studied in 26 Israeli high schools (514 students) through review of the planned curriculum, questionnaires, and test results. In spite of the intended and implemented curricula's goals, actual achievement is low, particularly in the area of application of principles. (SLD)

Assesses the potential of multimedia authoring as a learning tool using the software ASTOUND. Investigates the knowledge acquisition caused by a multimedia program among 32 grade 12 students on a multi-disciplinary environmental unit about earthquakes. Provides basic background about earthquakes via laboratory experiments and field trips to…

The purpose of this study was to examine the home and school effects on science achievement of 12th-grade students (N=2,277) in Israel. Significant correlates of achievement included home environment, quantity of instruction, interest, and motivation. (IAH)

Results from Biology Cognitive Preference Inventory taken by grade 12 Jewish (N=406) and Arab (N=297) biology majors revealed similarities between cognitive preferences, achievement, and background variables. Reports that, in spite of substantial cultural and home differences, both groups became oriented toward principles/questioning rather than…

Discusses a project to transform a short story into a play and perform it on stage in order to enhance student understanding of the Japanese cult of obedience and of the political events that led Japan to join the Germans in World War II. The article emphasizes that students become more motivated when they are exposed to subject matter in an…

Computer Science formal education brings together old-timers from two computer-literate cultures. The curriculum is oriented toward the academic community, whose interest is in the abstraction, solution, and proofs of algorithmic problems, whereas many students are technology users, whose main interest is the manipulation of the products of…

Examines the possible effects of four important school variables on the cognitive preference styles of students. The variables are the school environment, the attitude of the teachers toward an inquiry oriented approach, the nature of the curriculum and that of the subject matter. (Author/DEP)

Our main goal in this study was to explore whether the use of models in molecular genetics instruction in high school can contribute to students' understanding of concepts and processes in genetics. Three comparable groups of 11th and 12th graders participated: The control group (116 students) was taught in the traditional lecture format, while…

This study examines the effect of one social milieu factor (Israeli kibbutz versus urban lifestyle) on Israeli adolescents' future orientation. Responses of 114 kibbutz and 112 urban adolescents to an open-ended Future Orientation Questionnaire are grouped into nine life domains: school and matriculation, military service, higher education, work…

Age-related differences in adolescent orientation to the future were studied for 124 Israeli female junior and senior high school students and college seniors. Results show greater support for a hypothesis predicting differences derived from H. Heckhausen's least necessary expenditure principle than for a social control and continuity principle.…

Reports on a study of the cognitive preferences of twelfth grade students in Israel. Results indicated that, during the last ten years, Israeli students have become more oriented toward application. (TW)

This study describes grade 12 students in Israel (N=2277) and examines the relationships between certain background variables and student achievement in science. Discusses findings related to achievement and the variables of gender, major field of study, home background, school-related practices, prior studies, and future intentions. (ML)

The use and analysis of student generated propositions linking two scientific concepts (photosynthesis and respiration) were examined before and after the study of photosynthesis. A proposition-generating task (PGT) was used as a diagnostic tool to indicate student misconceptions and partial understandings. Focus was on determining: how the nature…

Israeli 12th graders studying English as a Second Language benefit from writers' workshops where they compose written portfolios and learn to express themselves fluently in writing. Students write with paper and pen or work via the Internet. They write on selected issues and send letters and articles to various online and print journals and…

This article deals with 12th-grade students' conceptions of a mathematical definition. Their conceptions of a definition were revealed through individual and group activities in which they were asked to consider a number of possible definitions of four mathematical concepts: two geometric and two analytic. Data consisted of written responses to…