This paper examines the effectiveness of adding an online component to the general chemistry laboratory in which students view prelaboratory instructional materials through online videos prior to completing general chemistry laboratory activities. Using a quasi-experimental design, we compared the performance of 1089 general chemistry students who…

Faculty often wish to devote time and resources to improve a course to be more in line with principles of how people learn but are not sure of the best path to follow. We present our tested approach to research-based course transformation, including development of learning goals, instructional materials based on student difficulties, and…

Undergraduate science education curricula are traditionally composed of didactic instruction with a small number of laboratory courses that provide introductory training in research techniques. Research on learning methodologies suggests this model is relatively ineffective, whereas participation in independent research projects promotes enhanced…

Conservative Christian schools consistently earn higher standardized test scores than public schools while being criticized for using inferior curricular materials. This research investigates the effectiveness of Christian-published science textbooks in preparing students for the science reasoning subtest of the American College Testing. Data…

The goal of this study was to understand the roles of goal orientation and self-efficacy when learning from worked examples. A Web-based learning environment, used as a component of a traditional undergraduate chemistry course, served as the context for the study. Goal orientations were derived from Elliot and McGregor's (2001) achievement goals…

Based on the inference that a teaching strategy that facilitates students' cognitive development toward Piagetian formal operational thought patterns will also increase scholastic performance in introductory genetics, a self-study guide was developed, implemented and tested to facilitate a student's ability to apply formal operational thought…

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…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of instructional aids designed to improve the test scores of field-dependent students enrolled in an introductory, community college-level, geology course for non-science majors. Prior to beginning course instruction, 36 students were classified as field-dependent on the basic scores from the Witkin Embedded…

Investigated the overall effectiveness of and use of animation/graphics in "Introduction to Organic Chemistry" computer programs on student achievement and attitudes (n=approximately 400). Results indicate that although materials were effective animation sequences, they did not have an effect on student test scores. (JN)

This final report on field testing of minicourses in undergraduate biology lists the objectives, procedures, applications, and conclusions of the project in which twelve schools utilizing minicourses, developed at Purdue University, were sampled. Data were collected and analyzed on student achievement, student attitude changes, and student…

Investigated is the effect of organization and accuracy of detail in instructional aids on the achievement of college students (N=54) in a freshman chemistry lecture course. It is indicated that aids may impede learning by decreasing students' involvement in auditory and semantic encoding during lectures. (Author/DS)

An experiment was conducted that compared the teaching effectiveness of a computer assisted instructional module and a lecture-discussion. The module, Predator Functional Response (PFR), was developed as part of the SUMIT (Single-concept User-adaptable Microcomputer-based Instructional Technique) project. A class of 30 students was randomly…

Reviews the development of locally produced instructional television to supplement curriculum, emphasizing that programs must be designed to illustrate/augment a particular course's material. Describes required equipment, setup, preproduction planning, taping (sample script available), and provides results of student evaluation of instruction and…