Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

A Study Of The Effects Of Constructivist Based Vs. Traditional Direct Instruction On 8th Grade Science Comprehension, Clair T. Berube

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

Studies conducted nationwide over the past several decades point consistently to the evidence that American school children lag behind several other countries in science scores. Problems arise from this dilemma, including the question of the ability of our youngsters to compete nationally and globally in the sciences as adults. Current research in this area of scores currently studies mostly mathematics. The few studies conducted concerning science mainly highlight students in other countries and neglects minorities and females regarding outcomes.

By contrast, this study investigated the effects of teacher types (also defined as teaching styles or classroom orientation) on student outcomes …

Literature-Based Language Arts Extended To Science, Jennifer Bruce

Graduate Research Papers

The development of a print-rich learning environment can facilitate the integration of the curriculum. A literature base representative of the different genres can contribute to the dimensions of learning. A literature-based unit on apples provided kindergarten children with quality literature experiences and many expressive activities that extended the students' understanding of the concept of apples. The unit was presented through teacher presentations and learning centers.

Teacher-Class, Teacher-Group And Student Interactions : Opportunities For Learning In Primary Science Classrooms, Christine A. Coulstock

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Many studies have investigated learning in science classes, examining various influences on the understandings that students develop. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interactions that took place in upper primary science lessons, and the teacher and student behaviours affected these interactions and the opportunities for learning. The three classes that were selected for the study were similar and the teachers were all experienced primary teachers. The teachers were supplied with a set of science lessons on the topic of electric circuits. The resources included background information for the teachers and suggested activities, demonstrations, analogies and focus questions …

Number Sense In Urban Aboriginal Primary Students, Kathryn J. Lyon

Theses : Honours

This paper examines the number sense of urban Aboriginal primary students attending school in Perth. The subjects were asked to complete a test designed to assess their number sense, which has been defined as "[a] propensity for and an ability to use numbers and quantitative methods as a means of communicating, processing and interpreting information" (McIntosh, Reys, Reys, Bana & Farrell, 1997, p. 61). It involves an intuitive understanding about numbers and how to use them in practical ways. Some subjects were also interviewed, so that a greater understanding of their number sens8 could be gained. It was found that …

Taking “Stock” Of Pedagogical Content Knowledge In Science Education, Harcharan Pardhan, Alan Wheeler

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

This article focuses on efforts of facilitate the development of MEd science students' conceptual understanding of content, pedagogy and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). A basic premise of the approach taken was that to teach conceptually, students must learn conceptually. A four-step conceptual process was followed with the participants to help them actively construct knowledge about fundamental science concepts and enhance their confidence and enthusiasm for science teaching. Equivalent forms of an assessment instrument entitled the Science Test of Content Knowledge (STOCK), used as per- and post-performance measures, revealed a significant difference. The article describes the structured activities built into the …

An Account Of Novice Phylogenetic Tree Construction From The Problem-Solving Research Tradition, Terrance E. Brisbin

Dissertations

Both the content and strategic knowledge used in phylogenetic tree construction are described to account for novice performance. A review of the literature is used to place this research with respect to studies in: problem solving studies (both expert, and novice), the history and practice of evolutionary systematics, and the teaching of evolution. The computer-based problem-solving environment is discussed along with model problems used for the research.

Each of the five research problems consists of an encoded matrix containing phylogenetic data organized by taxa and characters. Twelve participants (high school students) volunteered to solve the research problems, on their own …

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 12, No. 5, November 2000

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Curriculum And Assessment : A Question Of Politics?, Christine R. Brew, Gilah C. Leder

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) has been subject to ongoing modifications since its full introduction in 1992. These changes were largely driven by vocal opponents of this educational reform. In this paper we give voice to teachers charged with implementing the curriculum and assessment directives of the VCE. Specifically, we draw on the experiences of close to 500 senior mathematics teachers – through interview and survey data - to consider the impact on them of the evolution of the VCE.

Obituary: Elmer Clea Birney, 1940-2000, Hugh H. Genoways, Carleton J. Phillips, Jerry R. Choate, Robert S. Sikes, Kristin M. Kramer

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

On 11 June 2000, Dr. Elmer C. Birney unexpectedly passed away from cardiac arrest suffered while outside caring for his cattle at his home in Blaine, Minnesota. One of his former students, Robert Timm, probably best expressed the immediate reaction of his family and many friends: ‘‘He was too young and in too good of health to be gone so soon.’’ At the time of his death, Elmer was Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, the Curator of Mammals at the Bell Museum of Natural History, and Director of Graduate Studies of the program in Ecology, Evolution …

Recruitment And Retention Of African American Females In High School Mathematics: Have We Achieved Results?, Sheryl Mcglamery, Carol Mitchell

Teacher Education Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

"Our goal is to present the findings of the study and challenge the audience to consider the aspects of the program the researchers believe made the difference in recruitment and retention for these African American female students."

The Impact Of Varying Teaching Style Techniques To Better Match Learning Styles In The Science Classroom, Karen M. Santoro

Theses and Dissertations

This paper will address the correlation between student learning styles and the mode of delivery employed for instruction, and the outcome: student test scores.

By integrating a learning style assessment with a teaching style assessment the researcher challenges the belief that science needs to be taught in a systematic, methodical fashion and varying teaching style will result in significantly higher test scores. The test scores of a class taught with traditional science teaching delivery (lecture style) and the test scores of a class taught with various teaching styles were then compared.

The method employed involved using a learning style survey …

Language Implications For Numeracy: A Study Of Language Use Of Disadvantaged Students, Robyn Zevenbergen

2000 - Improving Numeracy Learning

Increasingly language is recognised as causing difficulties for students when they come to learn mathematics. Many different levels and aspects of language can be seen to create such difficulties for students. This paper looks at the implications of language on learning mathematics or developing a sense of numeracy.

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 12, No. 4, October 2000

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Fall 2000 ENTO 905 seminars

The School/Home Communication Project: A Study Of The Effect Of More Frequent Grade Reporting On The Achievement Of High School Mathematics Students, Robert Dean Rogers

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Experiencing School Mathematics By Jo Boaler, Stephen Sproule

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Will You Still Be Teaching In The Twenty-First Century?, Theodore Panitz

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

The Story Of A Service-Learning Project: Mathematics In The Park, Joyce O'Halloran

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Training Elementary Teachers For The New Millennium, Dixie Metheny, David Davison

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Knowing And Teaching Elementary Mathematics By Liping Ma, Roger Howe

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Senior Seminar: A Capstone Course In The Computer And Mathematical Sciences, Ken Oberhoff, Ron Barnes

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

This paper describes the evolution of a course developed to tie together many strands of activity encountered by students in the computer and mathematical sciences (CMS). The senior level course is required of all majors in our computer science, applied mathematics and statistics undergraduate degree programs. One of the primary purposes of the course is to refine writing and presentation skills needed for those who will later pursue individual research projects. Writing projects are organized around the theme of “Ethical Decision Making in the Computer and Mathematical Sciences”. Numerous case studies are investigated. Additional topics in the course include designing …

Weizmann Day’S “Math Night” Brings Parents To Their Knees

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 12, No. 3, August 2000

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Imsa Kaleidoscope, Stephanie Pace Marshall

Lectures, Speeches, and Talks

I collect kaleidoscopes. At first, I found their artistry magical; however, as I surrendered to the unique song of each kaleidoscope, I became aware that my surrendering was transformative.

The Benefits Of Observational Learning On The Mathematics Achievement Of Fourth Grade Students Involved In Peer Tutoring Sessions, Trisha R. Parish

Masters Theses

Many students struggle with mathematical concepts and operations. This leads educators to search for the most effective and efficient means of improving their academic performance. The present investigation sought to determine if a triadic peer-tutoring program would increase the acquisition of basic multiplication facts for fourth grade students. Secondly, this investigation assessed the extent to which students would benefit from observational learning opportunities within the peer tutoring sessions. A multiple baseline design across two peer-tutoring triads was utilized with student performance being assessed by measuring responses to flashcard presentations and completion of three types of mathematics probes. The first type …

Ua64/2 The Challenge: The Newsletter Of The Center For Gifted Studies (No. 5, Summer 2000), Center For Gifted Studies, Tracy Inman Editor

Gifted Studies Publications

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Analysis Of Japanese And U.S. Teaching Styles Of Mathematics, Timothy Michael Wurdock

Mathematics Graduate Theses

This study examines the effects of different international teaching styles on the performance of junior high school students. Japanese students ranked higher than U.S. students on international tests. The whole-class method and open-ended problems are techniques frequently used in Japanese classrooms. These techniques will be incorporated into the author’s curriculum to determine their effectiveness in teaching mathematics. Two eighth grade classes will be studied. The author will teach the experimental group using the whole-class method. The control group will be taught using the American method.

Nebraska Earth Systems Education Network – Summer 2000

Nebraska Earth Systems Education Network

Content:

“Everything is Connected to Everything Else.” by Dave Gosselin, NESEN Director

Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium 2000: Don't Miss the Opportunity; Students and Teachers Welcome! by Ken Dewey

Integrating Earth System Science Research and Education by Richard Levy

America's Farm by Charles Flowerday

Lessons From Environmental Change Workshop On-line by Mark Mesarch

New Publications and Teacher Resources Available by Judy Otteman

Hexapod Herald - Vol. 12, No. 2, June 2000

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Computers In The Classroom – Do They Really Make A Difference In Student Learning?, Colleen Fitzgerald

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the utilization of computers in the classroom would increase student learning. The participants were eighty-two seventh grade students from Demarest Middle School in Demarest, New Jersey. The students were organized into four heterogeneously mixed classes. The study was conducted over approximately two weeks. All students received introductory instruction on amphibians and frog anatomy and physiology. Two classes then completed the traditional specimen dissection, while the other two classes completed a computer-simulated dissection. The classes then switched and performed the alternative dissection procedure. Their performance was measured by the results on the …

Sym Bowl Update: Encouraging And Recognizing Student Proficiency In System Dynamics Modeling, Wayne W. Wakeland

Complex Systems Faculty Publications and Presentations

The judging criteria and modeling process guidelines for the SyM Bowl modeling competition are briefly reviewed. Prize-winning student models from previous SyM Bowls are then discussed in order to show how the students and their teachers appear to have interpreted the criteria and process guidelines. The strengths and limitations of the selected student models, especially the basic model structure & logic, and the process they used to build the model, as evidenced in the reports they submitted, are then presented.

The paper then considers how the criteria and process guidelines may or may not have influenced the students, followed by …