This work analyzes the educational proposals designed by 130 future secondary school teachers (FTs) to address socioecological problems--in this case, the presence of microplastics in the environment--, and the relationship with their own perceptions and commitments regarding these problems. The research design was mixed, with both qualitative and…

Lecture capture (LC) has been implemented globally to enhance accessible resources supporting academic success. Little is known about the effects of teaching students how to effectively use LC to augment learning. This correlational pilot study used a 14-item Likert-like survey to examine relationships between undergraduate LC viewing practices…

Higher education continually seeks new approaches to support students with various learning needs. At present, Finland attempts to provide such support through accessibility and reasonable accommodation efforts, but students with learning disabilities may still encounter many barriers in their studies. One approach suggested to meet the needs of a…

The development of students' science reasoning abilities is a goal of science education. Researchers measure science reasoning using a variety of instruments, each with limitations and restrictions. In this study, contrasting instructional modes were analyzed for students' science reasoning development over the course of a semester. A novel…

The biological processes of photosynthesis and plant cellular respiration include multiple biochemical steps, occur simultaneously within plant cells, and share common molecular components. Yet, learners often compartmentalize functions and specialization of cell organelles relevant to these two processes, without considering the interconnections…

Learning styles of elementary education majors in biology (n=83) were compared to learning styles of students (n=673) in a general nonmajors biology course. Some recommendations made were for incorporation of student-led demonstrations and presentations, instruction with personal involvement, and audiovisuals. Discusses methods of incorporating an…

This survey indicated that the image of scientists held by liberal studies majors (n=76) planning to become elementary school teachers and biology majors (n=90) was of a white male, wearing eyeglasses and a lab coat, working in a laboratory. This image was held more closely by liberal arts students than by biology majors. (MDH)

Reports a study of 10 preservice biology teachers' subject matter structure (SMS). Using qualitative methods, the researchers sought to discover the nature and source of the SMS, the stability, and the relationship to the act of teaching. Among the conclusions are that these preservice teachers do not appear cognizant of their SMSs and that the…

Any effort to understand academic departments would be facilitated by a better understanding of its relationship between its two larger spheres: the institution and the discipline. This study particularly asks: How do the relationships between institutional culture and the culture of the academic department vary by disciplinary field? Using…

Locus of control as a potentially inhibiting factor in the acquisition of science-related attitudes was studied using 60 tenth grade biology students, 89 eleventh and twelfth grade chemistry students, and 61 college elementary education majors. Correlations between Rotter's Internal-External Scale and seven subscales of the Test of Science-Related…

Discusses the results of an attempt to provide an environment more conducive to the personal needs, learning styles, and interest orientations of elementary education majors in an introductory course in the biological sciences. (DDR)

Three groups of students--science majors, preservice elementary teachers, and all other nonmajors--are compared on the basis of their attitude toward biology, their self-concept of their ability in biology, and their cognitive style. Preservice teachers entered the course with the lowest scores but showed the greatest gains over the testing…

Reports a study examining the concurrent validity of concept maps as vehicles for documenting and exploring conceptual change in biology. Elementary education science methods students who were instructed on marine life zones showed significant differences on their concept maps on this topic. (PR)

In response to national reform movements, an introductory biology content science course specifically designed for elementary education majors has been developed and implemented for 3 years in a collaborative manner between the School of Biological Sciences and the Teachers College. Preliminary and ongoing quantitative survey analysis of teacher…

Early career experiences of a sample of 233 University of Washington doctorates were studied. Doctorates were initially grouped into seven degree areas (physical science, biological science, social science, humanities, education, engineering, and other). As hypothesized, significant differences were found between the genders in their distribution…