This ERIC Digest presents a brief description of some applications and findings of the microcomputer in science classrooms. It is suggested that microcomputer simulations are at least as effective as hands-on experiences for some cognitive outcomes and may in fact enhance these outcomes when the simulations are sequenced to follow hands-on…

This document contains the abstracts of most of the papers, symposia, and poster sessions presented at the 62nd Annual Conference of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST). Subject areas addressed include: teacher preparation; science, technology and society; classroom research, elementary science; process skills;…

This volume presents a compilation and review of more than 400 research studies on science teaching and the preparation of science teachers that were reported in 1988, organized into 10 sections. The sections are: (1) "Professional Concerns"; (2) "Teacher Education"; (3)"Programs"; (4) "Curriculum"; (5)…

Abstracts of most of the papers, symposia, and poster sessions presented at the 60th conference of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) are provided. Subject areas addressed include: videodisc technology; problem solving; cognitive learning; attitudes toward science; teaching strategies; science, technology, society;…

Presented are abstracts and abstractors' analyses of eight studies related to teacher education and two studies related to the nature of science. Analyses in the area of teacher education are on studies of: attitudes of elementary teachers in Trinidad and Tobago (P. Fraser-Abder and R. Shrigley); educators' categorizations of different models of…

A number of recent studies have yielded data on the factors affecting the science achievement of disadvantaged students. For example, it was found that students' socioeconomic status (SES) increased as a predictor of their science achievement as the students moved through school. Furthermore, the effect of being Black (or, to a lesser degree,…

Teaching science in the field provides unique opportunities to investigate the natural world. As in the classroom, lessons designed to foster meaningful learning, provide hands-on activities, and promote student inquiry can be effectively implemented in the world's largest laboratories, the natural and built environments of the outdoors. This…

Many theories of career development are derived from theories of personality; however, broader perspectives on career development are being built on emerging research focused on gender, race, ethnicity, and social class. The main career development theories are as follows: trait and factor theories (which assumes the possibility of matching…

Traditionally, disadvantaged groups, such as women and minorities, have not excelled in science and math. Often the lack of literacy and achievement in these subjects is due to the following factors: (1) cognitive differences between how the information is presented and how the students process it; (2) lack of familiarity, because of cultural…

This digest summarizes what is known about scholastic achievement in general education at the college level, and is based on a study using the College Basic Academic Subjects Examination (College BASE), a criterion-referenced achievement test of general education skills and competencies. College BASE assesses achievement in four subject areas:…

This report describes a study that examined the scholastic achievement of college students in general education. The study evaluated the College Basic Academic Subjects Examination (College BASE) scores of 74,535 students who were tested between 1988 and 1993 at 56 institutions of higher education. The study found that: (1) overall, scores in…