Presents materials to stimulate active learning through modified concept mapping activities designed to help students appreciate alternative perspectives by using cartoons as a stimulus and focusing on the links within a concept map fragment, and encouraging the probing of understanding by annotating the linking words. (Author/YDS)

Making connections is an emerging education theme of the 21st century. Science teachers are encouraged to connect new learning with prior knowledge, learning with student interests and experience, and classroom activities with the history and nature of science. Strategies that facilitate these connections enrich and enhance instruction. In this…

Describes mapping, a collaborative activity to stimulate discussion or summarize learning. (SR)

Students must understand key concepts through reasoning, searching out related concepts, and making connections within multiple systems to learn science. The Roundhouse diagram was developed to be a concise, holistic, graphic representation of a science topic, process, or activity. Includes sample Roundhouse diagrams, a diagram checklist, and…

Describes using clusters of high-quality literature to support the teaching of key geometry and measurement ideas. (Contains 29 references.) (YDS)

Identifies some of the major factors underlying common problems that students have in acquiring an understanding of chemistry concepts. Suggests and discusses the use of concept maps as an aid in ensuring that meaningful learning rather than rote learning has occurred among students. Contains 32 references. (ZWH)

Argues that food webs are an efficient method through which to communicate the core idea of ecology--that all living things are interconnected. Assesses the challenges and solutions to using illustrated food webs. (Author/CCM)

Presents instructional techniques aimed at enhancing learning in the engineering science classroom, including mind or concept mapping, a variation of the one-minute paper termed a discovery sheet, and the inclusion of discussion of the nature of scientific paradigm shifts. Discusses students' reactions to these techniques and outlines a case study…

Concept maps are graphical ways of working with ideas and presenting information. They reveal patterns and relationships and help students to clarify their thinking, and to process, organize and prioritize. Displaying information visually--in concept maps, word webs, or diagrams--stimulates creativity. Being able to think logically teaches…

Concept mapping, a technique based on David Ausubel's theory of meaningful learning, involves the organization of concepts into an hierarchical arrangement. Suggestions for incorporating this learning strategy into the biology classroom are presented and discussed. Steps in concept mapping include: (1) identifying important concepts in the study…

Recommends the use of concept mapping in science teaching and proposes that it be presented as a creative activity. Includes a sample lesson plan of a potato stamp concept mapping activity for astronomy. (DDR)

Integrates concept mapping into the chemistry laboratory and requires students to construct a concept map for each experiment. Reports a decrease in student questions concerning set up and procedure. Recommends using computer software such as Chem Sketch 5.0 which is free and available from the Internet. (Contains 15 references.) (YDS)

Describes using celebrations of dates in the history of science and technology as an instructional strategy. For example, the author celebrated the day of the Wright Brothers' first flight and culminated it with an paper airplane flying contest. Festivities begin with concept mapping to allow students the opportunity to relate new ideas to prior…

Presents the use of concept mapping as an assessment tool augmented by an additional activity. Discusses how this elaboration of a concept map contains potential information on what students are coming to understand and helps the teacher to decide the direction of future instruction. Presents examples of students' concept maps. (ASK)

Introduces Vee mapping as an alternative method for traditional lab reports. Discusses six areas concerning Vee maps: (1) focus question; (2) word list; (3) concept map; (4) events; (5) data and analysis; and (6) conclusion. Explains the use of Vee maps and reasons for their use. (YDS)