References and Resources

Constructing Ideas in Physical Science (CIPS)

A middle school physical science textbook integrating the process of science throughout the course

  • http://cipsproject.sdsu.edu/default.html
  • http://www.edtechpolicy.org/...CIPS/CIPS%20Project%20Info_1.doc

BSCS: Science as Inquiry

A high school integrated science textbook integrating the process of science through the course by explicitly using the 5-E science teaching model throughout the course

  • http://www.bscs.org/professionaldevelopment/pdservices/aim.html
  • http://www.bscs.org/curriculumdevelopment/highschool/comprehensive/inquiry/

Links for Cornell Notes (a possible note-taking style for students):

  • http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/cornellnotes.html
  • http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/cornellnotes.html
  • http://lsc.sas.cornell.edu/LSC_Resources/cornellsystem.pdf
  • http://www.bucks.edu/~specpop/Cornl-ex.htm
  • http://www.regionvavid.org/.../Cornell%20Notes%20Student%20PPT.ppt

Examples of Cornell Notes:

  • http://www.englishcompanion.com/pdfDocs/cornellintro.pdf
  • http://www.ulc.psu.edu/studyskills/.../Cornell%20Note%20Taking.doc

Link for National Case Studies in Science - University at Buffalo: This is a collection of case studies in various content areas in the sciences. http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/cs/collection/

A great overview of the common misconceptions around Nature of Science (15 most common myths): McComas, 1998, The Principal Elements of the Nature of Science: Dispelling the Myths. Adapted from the chapter in McComas, The Nature of Science Education, 53-70. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Netherlands. (Acrobat (PDF) 190kB Jul16 09)

Public Understanding of Science is a journal dedicated to research on this topic:

International standards for instructional design

Explicating some target learning outcomes about nature of science Abd-El-Khalick et al (2007) Representations of Nature of Science in High School Chemistry Textbooks over the Past Four Decades. JRST, 45(7), 835-855. (Acrobat (PDF) 149kB Jul15 09) Check Table 1 for explication of learning outcomes under some dimensions of nature of science.

Presents an open-ended instrument to assess students' and teachers' views about nature of science Lederman et al (2002) Views of Nature of Science Questionnaire: Toward Valid and Meaningful Assessment of Learners' Conceptions of Nature of Science. JRST, 39(6), 497-521 (Acrobat (PDF) 208kB Jul15 09)

Online concept map software Cmaptools This tool can be used for students to synchronously work on concept maps electronically and all saved within an online network folder system (privacy setting options exist).

Engaging Ideas: The Professor's Guide to Integrating Writing, Critical Thinking, and Active Learning in the Classroom (Jossey Bass Higher and Adult Education Series) - by John Bean. This book is very helpful in designing series of writing assignments and in developing rubrics for evaluating writing assignments.


Also by John Bean and Mary Savina - Quantitative Writing which talks specifically about developing assignments that build students ability to make quantitative arguments.