This bulletin focuses on cooperative learning with an emphasis on its use in science classrooms. A comprehensive review of the educational literature on cooperative learning is presented. Major sections of this document include the following: (1) why cooperative learning in science? (2) some characteristics of cooperative learning; (3) some…

The first in a series of booklets on using outdoor education methodologies to enhance the academic curriculum, this guide is written to help teachers of grades K-8 develop activities to enrich science instruction. The introductory sections define outdoor education and provide a rationale for outdoor science teaching stressing the opportunities it…

Presented are abstracts and abstractors' analyses of 10 studies related, in some manner, to learning. These studies focus on: (1) problem-solving processes used by experts and novices as they worked five mechanics problems (J. H. Larkin and F. Reif); (2) formal reasoning patterns of Italian high school students (M. L. Aiello-Nicosia, et al.); (3)…

This digest discusses block scheduling and it relates to teaching standards, staff development standards, and assessment standards. The standards are examined in terms of how they can be achieved through the use of block scheduling, and conclusions stress the necessity of scheduling for maximum student learning. (DDR)

This digest makes the case for using poetry in the teaching of science. Poems can braid curriculum areas, breaking through boundaries and weaving concepts together. The digest contains a list of poets and poems on science, as well as lists of ERIC and World Wide Web resources. (MM)

This book addresses the question: What is being done to educate current and future teachers of science so that they will be successful in promoting meaningful learning of science? The authors of the 15 chapters in this yearbook explore various dimensions of the preparation and enhancement of teachers of science, including practical and…

During the past several years, interest, concern, and action related to environmental problems have increased. Among the problems creating the concern have been materials that can cause pollution and biological damage in and near the home and the disposal of materials used in the home. Discussed in this digest are the reduction of problems related…

This study, part of the Colorado Science Meta-Analysis Project, was designed to assess the effectiveness of teacher education programs on preservice and inservice teachers having as measured outcomes one or more variables associated with inquiry teaching. Inquiry teaching within the context of the study addresses teacher behaviors facilitating…

This second volume in the Topics for Teachers series provides a wide range of activities designed to be both useful for teachers and informative for students. The investigations contained in this document are representative of some of the embodiments of important mathematical principles in the physical world. The activities included were chosen…

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,…

The importance of teaching to the affective domain is discussed in this review of the environmental education literature. Eight major ideas are used to summarize the research cited. Lists 63 references. (CW)

This ERIC Digest points out gaps in the educational reform process that educational researchers experience. An overview of known and unknown facts of reform with the vision of the National Science Education is presented. Characteristics of needed research are also explained. (YDS)

This ERIC Digest is designed for teachers in grades K-12 to share a rationale for teaching about oceans and briefly introduce the kinds of resources available to assist with such efforts. Topics include: (1) Why teach about oceans?; (2) Where can I get resources for teaching about the ocean?; (3) Who is doing marine education in my area?; (4) What…

This digest explains how the study of watersheds can serve to connect concept and skill development across subject areas and grade levels for curriculum reform and standards-based assessment. Specific resources are organized into watersheds in the curriculum, connections to National Standards, watershed concepts and activities, watershed education…

Formerly reserved for use by scientists, researchers, and computer buffs, computer networks now have capabilities that make them extremely useful to science teachers and their classes. This digest is designed to provide educators with some basic background on computer communications and to provide a few examples of computer networks that are…