The aim of this study was to describe co-construction processes in large group discussions. Co-construction, as used here, is a process by which the teacher and the students work together to construct and evaluate mental models of a target concept. Data were collected for an in-depth case study of a single teacher instructing middle school students with an innovative curriculum on human respiration. Data came from transcripts of video taped lessons, drawings, and pre- and post-test scores. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted. In the quantitative analysis, differences in gains between one and two standard deviations in size were found between the pre- and post-test scores indicating that the students increased their understanding about human respiration. In the qualitative analysis, a generative exploratory method followed by a convergent coded method was conducted to examine teacher-student interaction patterns. The aim of this part was to determine how learning occurred by attempting to connect dialogue patterns with underlying cognitive processes. The main outcome of the study is a hypothesized model containing four layers of nested teaching strategies. Listed from large to small time scales these are: the Macro Cycle, the Co-construction Modes, the Micro Cycle, and the Teaching Tactics. The most intensive analysis focused on identifying and articulating the Co-construction Modes—Accretion Mode, Disconfirmation Mode, Modification Mode, Evolution Mode, and Competition Mode—and their relations to the other levels of the model. These modes can either describe the construction and evaluation of individual model elements or of entire models giving a total of ten modes. The frequency of these co-construction modes was then determined by coding, twenty-six hours of transcripts. The most frequent modes were the Accretion Mode and the Disconfirmation Mode. The teacher's and the students' contributions to the co-construction process were also examined. It was found that both the teacher and the students generated ideas in approximately equal proportion to build the models, that the teacher usually evaluated the ideas, and that both modified or disconfirmed the ideas. Thus the study is an attempt to develop a vocabulary for describing strategies that facilitate student model construction.

Secondary school students are being inadequately prepared for an active understanding of genetic diseases. There is good evidence that students are being graduated out of high school, without even a basic knowledge of the more than two thousand genetic diseases. This work presents this evidence, as well as highlights some of the difficulties and challenges found in the teaching of genetics. This project is aimed at ascertaining how much secondary school level, life science and biology teachers know about genetic diseases. Also, by concentrating on four specific genetic diseases (Cystic Fibrosis; Tay-Sachs Disease; Sickle Cell Anemia; Thalassemia) that are representative of the racial and ethnic distribution in United States secondary schools, this study determines how much and to what degree, teachers are teaching about the subject. Twenty-six life science and biology teachers from the Greater Boston Area, were randomly chosen from the junior and senior high school science teachers that volunteered to participate. All responses from the interview which contained twenty-six questions, were recorded and scored as to accuracy. A Reliability Test was conducted using the process of "test and retest", to determine the test's coefficient of stability. Data was analyzed by a VAX/VMS using the STATA statistical analysis program. This research investigated four questions: (1) Are biology and life science secondary school teachers teaching the basic principles of genetic diseases? (2) Do biology and life science secondary school teachers know the basic principles of genetic diseases? (3) Are biology and life science secondary school teachers teaching the characteristics and mechanisms of the four specific genetic diseases--Cystic Fibrosis; Tay-Sachs Disease; Sickle Cell Anemia; Thalassemia? (4) Do biology and life science secondary school teachers, know and understand the characteristics and mechanisms of the four specific genetic diseases? Using the results of this study, a Genetic Disease Curriculum Strategy Format was developed. The purpose of this teaching manual is: (1) to increase the level of science teachers' knowledge and understanding of genetic diseases; (2) to enhance science teachers' instructional ability; (3) to supplement existing biology and life science curriculum; (4) to assist educators in writing new genetic diseases curriculum.

One reason science enrichment programs were created was to address the underrepresentation of women and minorities in science. These programs were designed to increase underrepresented groups' interest in science and science careers. One attempt to increase students' interest in science was the Summer Science Exploration Program (SSEP). The SSEP was a two week, inquiry-based summer science camp offered by Hampshire College for students entering grades seven and eight. Students who participated were from three neighboring school districts in Western Massachusetts. The goal of the program was to stimulate greater interest in science and scientific careers among middle school students, in particular among females and students of color. A review of the literature of inquiry-based science programs revealed that the effect of inquiry-based programs on students' attitudes towards science is typically investigated shortly after the end of the treatment period. The findings from this study contribute to our understanding of the long-term impact of inquiry-based science enrichment programs on students' attitude towards science and their interest in science careers. The data collected consisted of quantitative survey data as well as qualitative data through case studies of selected participants from the sample population. This study was guided by the following questions: (1) What was the nature and extent of the impact of the Summer Science Exploration Program (SSEP) on students' attitudes towards science and interest in science careers, in particular among females and students of color? (2) What factors, if any, other than participation in SSEP impacted students' attitude towards science and interest in scientific careers? (3) In what other ways, if any, did the participants benefit from the program? Conclusions drawn from the data indicate that SSEP helped participants maintain a high level of interest in science. In contrast, students who applied but were not accepted showed a decrease in their attitude towards science and their interest in science careers over time, compared to the participants. The interviews suggested that students enjoyed the inquiry-based approach that was used at camp. In addition, students said they found the hands-on inquiry-based approach used at camp more interesting than traditional methods of instruction (lectures and note taking) used at school. Recommendations for future research are presented.

The majority of urban minority students, particularly Black students, continue to perform below proficiency on standardized state and national testing in all areas that seriously impact economically advanced career options, especially in areas involving science. If education is viewed as a way out of poverty, there is a need to identify pedagogical methodologies that assist Black students in achieving higher levels of success in science, and in school in general. The purpose of this study was to explore White teachers' and Black students' perceptions about the teaching strategies used in their low socioeconomic status (LSES) urban science classrooms, that led to academic success for Black students. Participants included three urban middle school White teachers thought to be the best science teachers in the school, and five randomly selected Black students from each of their classrooms. Methods of inquiry involving tenets of grounded theory were used to examine strategies teachers used to inspire Black students into academic success. Data collection included teacher and student interviews, field notes from classroom observations, group discussions, and questionaires. Data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. The teachers' perceptions indicated that their prior belief systems, effective academic and personal communication, caring and nurturing strategies, using relevant and meaningful hands-on activities in small learner-centered groups, enhanced the learning capabilities of all students in their classrooms, especially the Black students. Black students' perceptions indicated that their academic success was attributable to what teachers personally thought about them, demonstrated that they cared, communicated with them on a personal and academic level, gave affirmative feedback, simplified, and explained content matter. Black students labeled teachers who had these attributes as "nice" teachers. The nurturing and caring behaviors of "nice" teachers caused Black students to feel a sense of community and a sense of belonging in their classrooms. Black students demonstrated that they respected and always "had the back" of these "nice" teachers. Results from this study could play a significant role in teacher retention and in informing best practices for preservice and other teachers who are struggling to meet the needs of LSES urban students.

Este trabalho apresenta uma reflexão sobre a utilização de recursos audiovisuais e o ensino de Ciências, observando as diferentes formas de aplicação na sala de aula. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa do tipo estado do conhecimento, produzida nas últimas décadas de forma significativa. Foram analisados os trabalhos publicados nos ENPECs (Encontro Nacional de Pesquisa em Educação em Ciências), no período de 1997 a 2007, em que o uso de recursos audiovisuais é abordado no ensino em Ciências. Os trabalhos foram selecionados a partir de seus resumos e busca por palavras-chave para refinar a pesquisa. A partir da seleção, os mesmos foram categorizados em função dos seguintes aspectos: ano de publicação, região brasileira de produção da pesquisa, instituição acadêmica, nível escolar abrangido no estudo, área de conteúdo do currículo escolar e foco temático de estudo. Foram realizadas leituras dos textos a fim de se organizar os resultados e elaborar tabelas para tratamento de dados e análise das informações. Como próxima etapa, foi realizado um aprofundamento dos artigos que abordavam a utilização de programas televisivos ou filmes, seja exibidos no cinema ou em sala de aula através de um vídeo. Durante o levantamento geral dos artigos, foi observado se os autores faziam uso de referenciais teóricos quando descreviam as atividades com recursos audiovisuais. As referências mais citadas foram selecionadas e os autores descritos, de acordo com suas obras e foco de estudo. Para finalizar a pesquisa, as conclusões foram realizadas com base nos dados coletados e bibliografias consultadas. Concluiu-se que ocorreu um aumento de trabalhos relacionados ao tema no decorrer dos anos, com exceção apenas do último encontro. O uso de diferentes alternativas didáticas pode auxiliar o processo de ensino-aprendizagem, pois motiva o aluno a desenvolver conceitos de forma diferenciada, criando, por meio de processos interdisciplinares, um ambiente de discussão e reflexão. / This work presents a reflection about the use of audiovisual resources and Science teaching, observing the different forms of application in the classroom. For that, a research was conducted known as the knowledge state by analyzing the projects presented at the ENPECs (National Meeting of Research in Education in Science) between 1997 and 2007, where the use of audiovisual resources is presented in science teaching. The projects were selected by their abstracts and tracked through their keywords to refine the search. From this selection, the articles were classified according to the following aspects: year of presentation, research location, educational institutions, scholarity level, content area and subject topic. The texts were read in order to organize the results and to work a chart to treat the data and to analyze the information. In a second part of the study, it was made a deepening of the articles that used television programs or films, showed in the movies or in the classroom through a video. While the research was being done on the articles, it was observed if the authors used theoretical references when they described the activities with audiovisual resources. Most authors citations were selected and the authors were described, according to their projects and study focus. In order to finalize the research, the conclusions were made based on the collected data and the consulted bibliographies. There was an increase in the numbers of published projects along the years, excluding in this past year. The use of different teaching alternatives can help the teaching-learning process, because it motivates the students to develop concepts in a different way, creating a discussion and reflection environment, through an interdisciplinary process.

Este trabalho apresenta uma reflexão sobre a utilização de recursos audiovisuais e o ensino de Ciências, observando as diferentes formas de aplicação na sala de aula. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa do tipo estado do conhecimento, produzida nas últimas décadas de forma significativa. Foram analisados os trabalhos publicados nos ENPECs (Encontro Nacional de Pesquisa em Educação em Ciências), no período de 1997 a 2007, em que o uso de recursos audiovisuais é abordado no ensino em Ciências. Os trabalhos foram selecionados a partir de seus resumos e busca por palavras-chave para refinar a pesquisa. A partir da seleção, os mesmos foram categorizados em função dos seguintes aspectos: ano de publicação, região brasileira de produção da pesquisa, instituição acadêmica, nível escolar abrangido no estudo, área de conteúdo do currículo escolar e foco temático de estudo. Foram realizadas leituras dos textos a fim de se organizar os resultados e elaborar tabelas para tratamento de dados e análise das informações. Como próxima etapa, foi realizado um aprofundamento dos artigos que abordavam a utilização de programas televisivos ou filmes, seja exibidos no cinema ou em sala de aula através de um vídeo. Durante o levantamento geral dos artigos, foi observado se os autores faziam uso de referenciais teóricos quando descreviam as atividades com recursos audiovisuais. As referências mais citadas foram selecionadas e os autores descritos, de acordo com suas obras e foco de estudo. Para finalizar a pesquisa, as conclusões foram realizadas com base nos dados coletados e bibliografias consultadas. Concluiu-se que ocorreu um aumento de trabalhos relacionados ao tema no decorrer dos anos, com exceção apenas do último encontro. O uso de diferentes alternativas didáticas pode auxiliar o processo de ensino-aprendizagem, pois motiva o aluno a desenvolver conceitos de forma diferenciada, criando, por meio de processos interdisciplinares, um ambiente de discussão e reflexão. / This work presents a reflection about the use of audiovisual resources and Science teaching, observing the different forms of application in the classroom. For that, a research was conducted known as the knowledge state by analyzing the projects presented at the ENPECs (National Meeting of Research in Education in Science) between 1997 and 2007, where the use of audiovisual resources is presented in science teaching. The projects were selected by their abstracts and tracked through their keywords to refine the search. From this selection, the articles were classified according to the following aspects: year of presentation, research location, educational institutions, scholarity level, content area and subject topic. The texts were read in order to organize the results and to work a chart to treat the data and to analyze the information. In a second part of the study, it was made a deepening of the articles that used television programs or films, showed in the movies or in the classroom through a video. While the research was being done on the articles, it was observed if the authors used theoretical references when they described the activities with audiovisual resources. Most authors citations were selected and the authors were described, according to their projects and study focus. In order to finalize the research, the conclusions were made based on the collected data and the consulted bibliographies. There was an increase in the numbers of published projects along the years, excluding in this past year. The use of different teaching alternatives can help the teaching-learning process, because it motivates the students to develop concepts in a different way, creating a discussion and reflection environment, through an interdisciplinary process.

Esta pesquisa refere-se a um estudo de caso realizado com um grupo de professores dos Ensinos Público e Privado, em que foram analisadas suas ações e práticas pedagógicas antes e após um curso de formação continuada: Uso das TIC como recurso educacional para professores de ciências, promovida pela Faculdade de Educação da Universidade de São Paulo (FE-USP), com o objetivo de verificar se após um curso de formação continuada foi desenvolvida a autonomia docente quanto à escolha e utilização de recursos tecnológicos informacionais, como estratégia de ensino e de aprendizagem. Como metodologia, numa primeira etapa, foi adotada uma pesquisa descritiva, com levantamento de dados de caráter qualitativo, associado à apresentação de dados quantitativos. Foram aplicados dois questionários semiabertos, sendo o primeiro no início do curso e o segundo ao término da formação continuada. Posteriormente foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com parte do grupo concluinte da formação. O curso contou com dez participantes na sua totalidade e desse total, sete foram entrevistados. Os dados foram organizados em categorias e subcategorias criadas a partir da análise das entrevistas. Neste estudo de caso, observou-se que após o curso de formação oferecido, algumas mudanças ocorreram para alguns docentes. Os entrevistados relataram transformações em suas práticas profissionais após realização do curso, como por exemplo, identificar, avaliar e utilizar os recursos apresentados conforme suas necessidades, considera-se portanto, que ocorreu a aquisição de novos conhecimentos referentes à utilização de diferentes estratégias de ensino com o uso das TIC. Para que ocorra a melhoria na qualidade de ensino entende-se a necessidade de se investir na formação continuada de docentes e gestores, na infraestrutura das escolas, na adoção de políticas públicas que tratem da capacitação tecnológica para professores, de forma que seja implementado um conjunto de ações para a melhoria da aprendizagem e para o desenvolvimento da autonomia docente, de forma que suas escolhas sejam conscientes, coerentes e livres e assim possam contribuir para a educação de qualidade que tanto se almeja. / This research is a case study based on a group of teachers of the Public and Private Schools, in which were analyzed the teachers actions and pedagogical practices before and after a continued formation course named The use of TIC as an education resource to Science teachers, promoted by Faculty of Education, University of São Paulo (FE-USP). The objective was to verify if after a continue formation course the teachers autonomy about the decision of which technologic resources, such as teaching strategies and learning, is developed. As methodology, in a first stage, was embraced a descriptive research, in which qualitative data was associated to a quantitative data presented. Where applied two partially opened questionnaires: the first at the beginning of the course and the second by the end of it. Later, partially structured interviews were realized with the group that has finished the course. The course has counted with a total of ten participants of whom seven where interviewed. The data was categorized in categories and sub-categories made by the interview analysis. In this case study was noticed that after the formation course some change had happened to some teachers. Respondents reported changes in their professional practice after completion of the course, for example, to identify, evaluate and use the resources presented to your needs, it is considered therefore that was the acquisition of new knowledge concerning the use of different teaching strategies with the use of ICT.To improve the teaching quality we believe is necessary to invest in the continued formation for teachers and managers, to invest in the Schools infrastructure, in public practices directed to professional training for teachers, so that it could be implemented a set of actions to improve the learning and to develop the teachers autonomy in a way that their choices are conscious, coherent and free to contribute for the quality education that is aimed.

Esta pesquisa refere-se a um estudo de caso realizado com um grupo de professores dos Ensinos Público e Privado, em que foram analisadas suas ações e práticas pedagógicas antes e após um curso de formação continuada: Uso das TIC como recurso educacional para professores de ciências, promovida pela Faculdade de Educação da Universidade de São Paulo (FE-USP), com o objetivo de verificar se após um curso de formação continuada foi desenvolvida a autonomia docente quanto à escolha e utilização de recursos tecnológicos informacionais, como estratégia de ensino e de aprendizagem. Como metodologia, numa primeira etapa, foi adotada uma pesquisa descritiva, com levantamento de dados de caráter qualitativo, associado à apresentação de dados quantitativos. Foram aplicados dois questionários semiabertos, sendo o primeiro no início do curso e o segundo ao término da formação continuada. Posteriormente foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com parte do grupo concluinte da formação. O curso contou com dez participantes na sua totalidade e desse total, sete foram entrevistados. Os dados foram organizados em categorias e subcategorias criadas a partir da análise das entrevistas. Neste estudo de caso, observou-se que após o curso de formação oferecido, algumas mudanças ocorreram para alguns docentes. Os entrevistados relataram transformações em suas práticas profissionais após realização do curso, como por exemplo, identificar, avaliar e utilizar os recursos apresentados conforme suas necessidades, considera-se portanto, que ocorreu a aquisição de novos conhecimentos referentes à utilização de diferentes estratégias de ensino com o uso das TIC. Para que ocorra a melhoria na qualidade de ensino entende-se a necessidade de se investir na formação continuada de docentes e gestores, na infraestrutura das escolas, na adoção de políticas públicas que tratem da capacitação tecnológica para professores, de forma que seja implementado um conjunto de ações para a melhoria da aprendizagem e para o desenvolvimento da autonomia docente, de forma que suas escolhas sejam conscientes, coerentes e livres e assim possam contribuir para a educação de qualidade que tanto se almeja. / This research is a case study based on a group of teachers of the Public and Private Schools, in which were analyzed the teachers actions and pedagogical practices before and after a continued formation course named The use of TIC as an education resource to Science teachers, promoted by Faculty of Education, University of São Paulo (FE-USP). The objective was to verify if after a continue formation course the teachers autonomy about the decision of which technologic resources, such as teaching strategies and learning, is developed. As methodology, in a first stage, was embraced a descriptive research, in which qualitative data was associated to a quantitative data presented. Where applied two partially opened questionnaires: the first at the beginning of the course and the second by the end of it. Later, partially structured interviews were realized with the group that has finished the course. The course has counted with a total of ten participants of whom seven where interviewed. The data was categorized in categories and sub-categories made by the interview analysis. In this case study was noticed that after the formation course some change had happened to some teachers. Respondents reported changes in their professional practice after completion of the course, for example, to identify, evaluate and use the resources presented to your needs, it is considered therefore that was the acquisition of new knowledge concerning the use of different teaching strategies with the use of ICT.To improve the teaching quality we believe is necessary to invest in the continued formation for teachers and managers, to invest in the Schools infrastructure, in public practices directed to professional training for teachers, so that it could be implemented a set of actions to improve the learning and to develop the teachers autonomy in a way that their choices are conscious, coherent and free to contribute for the quality education that is aimed.

The science education literature was examined in order to identify the methodologies that various authors considered to characterise inquiry teaching. On the basis of this examination, a new classroom environment instrument, the Is This an Inquiring Classroom or ITIC was developed. The final version of the ITIC contained forty items in five different scales, Freedom in Practical Work, Communication, Interpretation of Data, Science Stories and Uncertainty in Science.The Actual and Preferred Forms of the ITIC were administered to 2,207 Grade 7-12 students and 65 teachers from 15 different schools. The results of this investigation showed that both students and teachers would prefer there to be higher levels of inquiry behaviours in Tasmanian science classrooms, with teachers indicating a preference for significantly higher levels than students. The perceptions of different sub-groups within the student population were also analysed.An examination of the Tasmanian curriculum documents showed that they supported the use of inquiry teaching methodologies, as defined by the ITIC scales. From the above investigations it was concluded that it would be desirable for there to be higher levels of inquiry methodologies in Tasmanian science classes, and that the production of the ITIC provides a means of monitoring and measuring any change.

Este trabalho apresenta uma reflexão sobre as NTIC e o ensino de ciências, mais especificamente sobre a formação de professores e o uso de computadores, seja em propostas de formação continuada desses profissionais ou na possibilidade de utilização dos recursos tecnológicos (computadores) nos processos de ensino e de aprendizagem. Para isso se realizou uma pesquisa do tipo estado do conhecimento, que nas últimas décadas tem sido produzidas de modo significativo, sendo analisados os resumos apresentados nos ENPECs Encontro Nacional de Pesquisa em Educação em Ciências no período de 1997 a 2005, onde são abordados no desenvolvimento dos artigos o uso do microcomputador como recurso educacional. Após a seleção dos resumos, os mesmos foram categorizados da seguinte forma: ano de apresentação, local de produção da pesquisa, nível de escolaridade e foco temático do estudo. Foram realizadas leituras dos textos a fim de se organizar os resultados e elaborar tabelas para tratamento de dados e análise das informações. Em uma segunda parte do estudo foi escolhido o foco temático Formação de Professores, entre os nove categorizados anteriormente, para análise aprofundada e síntese dos artigos elegidos, com posterior discussão dos conteúdos abordados nesses textos. De modo geral o trabalho apresenta-se com a seguinte sequência: breve descrição sobre o panorama do ensino de Ciências no Brasil associado às Leis de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação; informações sobre a evolução da sociedade e da tecnologia, assim como uma sucinta exposição do histórico da informática educacional no país. Buscou-se oferecer uma vertente sobre a relação entre tecnologia e legislação educacional. Na 1ª parte da investigação a análise dos resultados obtidos demonstra aumento significativo de publicações no período analisado, saltando de 4 trabalhos em 1997 para 61 em 2005; quanto a classificação por região do Brasil, a região sudeste apresenta-se com maior número de artigos publicados; a pesquisa aponta maior quantidade de trabalhos voltados para o público da educação básica - público formado por educação infantil, ensino fundamental e médio e no que se refere aos temas apresentados, a maioria trabalhos são voltados ao processo ensino e aprendizagem, com a utilização do computador como recurso mediador e facilitador desse processo. Posteriormente desenvolveu-se a 2ª. parte do estudo com uma reflexão acerca dos artigos selecionados no foco temático formação de professores, procurando-se associá-lo ao ensino de ciências e utilização de microcomputadores como recurso para o processo educacional. É interessante observar que a Internet permeia todos os estudos, seja no uso de Ambientes Virtuais de Aprendizagem para capacitação de professores a fim de promover a reflexão na ação, de favorecer o diálogo ou a troca de experiências, seja na utilização de software para navegação autônoma ou para envio de informações por correio eletrônico, para pesquisas, construção de páginas da web, enfim, a Internet apresenta-se em todos os artigos como suporte para utilização dos recursos informacionais. / This work presents a reflection about the NTIC and the teaching of sciences. Specifically it discusses the teachers education and the computer using at the continued teachers education proposal or by using technology sources (computers) in the learning and teaching processes. For that, it was made a research known as knowledge state by analyzing the abstracts presented at the ENPECs National Meeting of Research in Education in Sciences between 1997 and 2005 that had a discussion about the use of a computer as educational source. After the resumes selections, they were classified by: publication year, researching place, scholarship level and theme focus of the study. The texts were read to organize the results and to work a chart to treat the data and to analyze the information. In a second part of the study, the thematic focus Teachers Education was chosen between the nine previous categories, in which the chosen articles were deeply analyzed and their content discussed. In a general manner, the work is presented as follows: briefly description of the teaching of science panorama in Brazil associated to the Educational Guideline and Basis Law; information about the society and technology evolution, as well as a brief exposition of the informatics educational historic in the country. The intention was to offer another view about the relation between technology and educational policies. In the first part of the investigation, the analysis of the results demonstrate a significantly growth in the publications during the selected period, going from 4 works in 1997 to 61 in 2005; in the regions classification, the southwest region shows up as the biggest publisher in numbers of publications; the research shows that most works are directed to the basic educational public public formed by grammar and primary schools and high school; and by the presented themes, most of the works discuss the teaching and learning process by using the computer as a mediator and facilitator source on this process. Later, the second part of the study was a reflection about the selected paperwork in the thematic focus teachings formation, trying to associate it to the teaching of sciences and the use of computer as a source to the educational process. It is interesting to observe that Internet permeate all studies, be at Virtual Environment Learning use to form teachers in order to promote a reflection in the action, to favor the dialog or the experience interchange; be by using the software of independent navigation or to send information by webmail, research, webpage construction, in short, the Internet is present in all articles as a support for the using of informational sources.