Aims of classroom-centered research on second language learning and teaching are considered and contrasted with the experimental approach. Attention is briefly directed to methodological problems of experiments, such as controlling classroom events in various ways, and to conceptual weaknesses with study variables. In contrast, classroom-centered…

Legal, ethical, and procedural guidelines for the participation of mentally retarded people in research were solicited from 167 agencies, of which 67 responded. A variety of documents was cited by the respondents. The documents appeared to establish the outside limits of ethical practice but did not establish actual procedure. Furthermore, the…

The Rockwell AIM 65 is recommended for use in physics laboratories. Among advantages cited are that the basic board can be purchased customized; for example, it can be purchased with or without a printer, power supply, extra memory, and other items. In addition, the computer is basically designed to control equipment and take data from peripheral…

This experiment investigated the effect of a delay in informative feedback in computer-managed instruction upon later retention. Experimental groups of undergraduate college students were given a computer-managed test and received informative feedback (1) immediately, item by item (2 second delay); (2) following the entire test (20 minute delay);…

In the first of two experiments, positive and negative expectations about a teacher were induced in a student who was about to be taught by that teacher, and both verbal and nonverbal measurements were taken. Results showed that subjects responded quite directly to the experimental manipulation. In the second experiment, a student simulated some…

Described is an introductory materials science laboratory program which emphasizes crystal structure both on the atomistic and microscopic scale and the dependence of materials properties on structure. The content of this program is classified into four major areas: (1) materials science, (2) mechanical behavior of materials, (3) materials testing…

A simple deterministic macroeconomic computer model was tested in a junior-senior level economic statistics course to demonstrate how and why some common errors arise when statistical estimation techniques are applied to economic relationships in empirical problematic situations. The computer model was treated as the true universe or real-world…

This paper asks whether all the current attention being given to educational evaluation and all the activity going on indicates real progress in the output of evaluation and its use in the policy process. The paper reviews the brief history of educational evaluation and gives a qualified "yes" as an answer to the question, noting: significant…

Smaller amounts of materials are used in organic chemistry experiments as a means of improving air quality in the laboratory. Outlines benefits from this approach and describes two representative experiments in detail. These experiments are the Cannizzaro reaction and preparation of an aromatic nitrile. (JN)

Describes a quantitative evaluation of an interactive videodisc program in which students measure the temperature dependence of the solubility product of lead chloride by titration of chloride with silver nitrate using a Mohr titration. Student reaction (based on responses made using the program, quiz answers, and laboratory performance) was…

Chemistry students selected a main group of the periodic table, researched the group, and then presented a 70-minute lecture on the group; conducted two lecture demonstrations; and performed two laboratory experiments. This was done to determine what descriptive chemistry should be included in a new sophomore-level inorganic chemistry course. (JN)

The paper describes efforts to support the development of reflective practice at a basic school in Brno, the Czech Republic. The aims, structure, content and methods are mentioned, as well as some preliminary results. Also, the authors suggest a few preconditions of the success of possible future actions. The specific case is seen from the…

Brazilian engineering schools are under a strict program to reengineer their courses with the financial support of the federal agencies. At the electronic engineering department at the University of Sao Paulo, this process started by modifying the Basic Electricity and Electronic Laboratories. This paper describes the new structure of these labs…

Provided are 10 papers presented during a symposium on teaching cardiovascular physiology outside the lecture hall. Topics addressed include a mechanical model of the cardiovascular system for effective teaching, separate course for experiments in cardiovascular physiology, selective laboratory (alternative to cookbook experiments), cardiovascular…

This study sought to connect the science activity educational approach to the higher cognitive development of students using a relatively new learning model, the Cultural Historical theory, based upon the work of Vygotsky. The theory advances the concept that children's intellectual development occurs in interactions with an adult or more capable…