Science Sampler: Finding learning beneath the surface—Monitoring student progress with Science Practice Learning Progressions

Journal Article | September 2010

If we want our students to become capable practitioners of scientific inquiry, we should not stop at providing opportunities to do inquiry. We need to be intentional about assessing and teaching the competencies…

Peer-Led Team Learning: A new teaching model focuses on student achievement through active learning

Journal Article | December 2000

Students are more likely to honestly express their ideas—both scientifically valid conceptions and misconceptions—in a peer group where they have no fear than in front of a teacher who will be issuing grades. The Peer-…

Faculty Adoption of Active Learning Strategies via Paired Teaching: Conclusions From Two Science Departments

Journal Article | August 2019

The authors offer recommendations to universities interested in establishing a paired teaching program and to faculty members preparing to pair-teach.

Research and Teaching: Measuring Student Interactions Using Networks: Insights Into the Learning Community of a Large Active Learning Course

Journal Article | December 2016

Collaborative learning in small groups is commonly implemented as a part of student-centered curricula. In large-enrollment courses, details of the interactions among students as a consequence of working in…

Assessment—A Way of Thinking About Learning—Now and in the Future: The Dynamic and Ongoing Nature of Measuring and Improving Student Learning

Journal Article | April 2000

Assessment in our classrooms involves measuring: 1) individual student achievement to informally and formally judge student progress, and 2) total class learning to evaluate pedagogy and adjust teaching to maximize…

Off the Beaten Path: A learning camping experience

Journal Article | February 1999

"Off the Beaten Path" is a program that takes at-risk students out of the traditional classroom and into a camping atmosphere. The program's purpose is to help increase academic achievement, improve self-esteem, and…

Environmental Service Learning: Relevant, Rewarding, and Responsible

Journal Article | June 2008

At Georgia Southern University (GSU), a regional university of 17,000 students, environmental science is a required introductory course for all students. Consequently, environmental-biology class sizes are large, often…

Engaging General Biology Students With Learning Contracts

Journal Article | October 2007

Students in a general biology class used a learning contract where they selected chapter-relevant activities they could complete through several formats: oral, written, or artistic. The majority of students felt they…

Productive Questions: Tools for Supporting Constructivist Learning

Journal Article | April 1999

The six types of productive questions—attention-focusing, measuring and counting, comparison, action, problem-posing, and reasoning—enable teachers to create a bridge between activities and students. A teacher's own…

Editor's Corner: As We Teach, We Learn . . .

Journal Article | October 2001

The Science Teacher’s editor shares thoughts on the current issue.

Editor's Note: Learning Doesn't Take a Vacation

Journal Article | March 2012

Science and Children’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue.