Research in Science Education. Volume 21. Selected Refereed Papers from the Annual Conference of the Australasian Science Education Research Association (22nd, Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia, July 11-14, 1991).

Overview & Synopsis

This annual publication contains 43 research papers on a variety of issues related to science education. Topics include the following: mature-age students; teacher professional development; spreadsheets and science instruction; the Learning in Science Project and putting it into practice; science discipline knowledge in primary teacher education; science, technology, and society; gender differences in choosing school subjects; history of science education; quality of teacher education; science attitudes; socially constructed learning; and conceptual development. Other papers concern such areas as report writing; history of science; the nature of science; investigation skills; pseudo-scientific and paranormal beliefs; language in science; concept mapping; constructivism; metaphors; textbooks; children's interests; Aboriginal science; and science and television. (PR)