Effective Teaching of Science

Book excerpt: This book reviews the literature on effective science teaching, examining research from the United Kingdom and other countries. The studies included were those that made comparisons between two or more groups differing in science education experiences; those that involved upper elementary or lower secondary students; those that made comparisons in terms of achievement in science or outcomes related to achievement; and those in which innovation was sustainable in normal classrooms. The book focuses on eight aspects of science education that might impact students' achievement but which have received less attention than other aspects (such as gender bias). The book features 10 chapters which include the eight topics: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "The Role of Practical Work"; (3) "Using Computers"; (4) "Approaches to Constructivism"; (5) "Cognitive Acceleration"; (6) "Assessment"; (7) "Planning, Questioning, and Using Language"; (8) "The Curriculum"; (9) "Teachers' Understanding of Science"; and (10) "Discussion." (Contains approximately 197 references.) (SM)