Discusses the use of the clinical interview in assessing cognitive structure and in investigating conceptual change. They caution much more work is needed to increase the applicability and validity of the clinical interview method and point out that there is a lack of systematization in the analysis of interview transcripts. (Author/PB)

Evaluates a module for training science teachers to ask cognitive questions. (SL)

Presents a discussion justifying science education in the current era of vocationalism. (SL)

Sixty-six elementary education upperclassmen were tested to determine their Piagetian stage of intellectual development. Results indicated 26 percent were very formal, 52 percent formal, 15 percent transitional, and 8 percent concrete. (SL)

Presented is a theoretical, hierarchical model of abstraction designed to provide a systematic theoretical framework for future research into abstract learning. A test of the model with 149 subjects supported the assumption that the hierarchical model of abstraction is valid. (SL)

Research on conceptual change emphasizes the importance of factors in the cognitive domain. This research argues that models of conceptual change learning should also encompass issues of affect, conation, and self-esteem. The use of these expressions is explained via four case studies on members of a rural village concerning informal learning…

Synthesizes current thought in neuropsychology, philosophy of cognition, and science education. Suggests that dualistic views and those based solely on biological structural-functional analyses may be insufficient to explain the active role of the learner. Presents 10 principles of neurocognition as a context for analysis of learner-centered…

Examines views and practices of first-year science teachers, graduates of a teacher education program in California, focusing on gender equity and multicultural education. Explores teachers' attempts at the nature of science and implementing equitable instruction in classrooms. Discusses commonalties across teachers' successes and struggles in…

Examines how preservice teachers' inquiry experiences in a science methods course were influenced by their conceptions of inquiry. Advocates that independent science investigations should part of preservice education and that these experiences should be scaffolded to prompt reflection, specifically about the nature of inquiry, and conceptually…

Investigates the development of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) within a group of preservice chemistry teachers. Focuses on PCK with respect to the relationship between observable phenomena on the one hand, and their interpretation in terms of corpuscular characteristics on the other. Results indicated a growing awareness among the preservice…

Reports on a 4-year study examining teachers' concerns in implementing writing-to-learn strategies within science classrooms based on using a model of writing-to-learn. Describes in detail two teachers' participation in an ongoing in-service program to develop pedagogical practices to support writing-to-learn strategies. Central issues for the two…

Conceptions of (n=13) grade-11 chemistry students via interviews were grouped into 6 categories related to students' preferred explanations for solubility phenomena. Argues that an understanding of the typical conceptions used by students should form an integral component of chemistry teaching, both as points of origin for lesson planning and for…

Qualitatively examines the development of four community college science professors as science educators while they prepared and taught a summer life science academy for K-12 teachers. Reports that the professors came to see their traditional lecture/lab approach to science education as inadequate with regard to most students. (Author/JRH)

The methodological issue of qualitative versus quantitative research is addressed, and the argumentation of research using interview methods for research is explored. Warrants of the type that are used in arguments generating conclusions from interview data are included. (KR)

Examines the teaching journal of a first-year chemistry teacher to understand how teachers create professional identities. Focuses on three dilemmas related to feeling like a student versus the expectation to act like an adult, wanting to care for students rather than be tough, and feeling incompetent in the subject matter. Contains 47 references.…