The National Science Foundation funded a synthesis study on the status, contributions, and future direction of discipline-based education research (DBER) in physics, biological sciences, geosciences, and chemistry. DBER combines knowledge of teaching and learning with deep knowledge of discipline-specific science content. It describes the discipline-specific difficulties learners face and the specialized intellectual and instructional resources that can facilitate student understanding. Discipline-Based Education Research is based on a 30-month study built on two workshops held in 2008 to explore evidence on promising practices in undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. This book asks questions that are essential to advancing DBER and broadening its impact on undergraduate science teaching and learning. The book provides empirical research on undergraduate teaching and learning in the sciences, explores the extent to which this research currently influences undergraduate instruction, and identifies the intellectual and material resources required to further develop DBER. Discipline-Based Education Research provides guidance for future DBER research. In addition, the findings and recommendations of this report may invite, if not assist, post-secondary institutions to increase interest and research activity in DBER and improve its quality and usefulness across all natural science disciples, as well as guide instruction and assessment across natural science courses to improve student learning. The book brings greater focus to issues of student attrition in the natural sciences that are related to the quality of instruction. Discipline-Based Education Research will be of interest to educators, policy makers, researchers, scholars, decision makers in universities, government agencies, curriculum developers, research sponsors, and education advocacy groups.

This book describes the design and implementation of a discipline-specific model of professional development: the disciplinary Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). TLC was born from a strong commitment to improving undergraduate science education through supporting the front-line educators who play an essential role in this mission. The TLC’s comprehensive approach encompasses consultation, seminars and workshops, acculturation activities for new faculty members, and teaching preparatory courses as well as a certificate program for graduate students. At the University of Maryland, TLC serves biology and chemistry faculty members, postdoctoral associates, and graduate students. The Center is deeply integrated into the departmental culture, and its emphasis on pedagogical content knowledge makes its activities highly relevant to the community that it serves. The book reflects ten years of intensive work on the design and implementation of the model. Beginning with a needs assessment and continuing with ongoing evaluation, the book presents a wealth of information about how to design and implement effective professional development. In addition, it discusses the theory underlying each of the program components and provides an implementation guide for adopting or adapting the TLC model and its constituent activities at other institutions. In this book, the authors describe how they created the highly successful discipline-based Teaching and Learning Center at the University of Maryland. This is a must read for anyone interested in improving higher education. Charles Henderson, Co-Director, Center for Research on Instructional Change in Postsecondary Education, Western Michigan University This book will provide a much-needed resource for helping campus leaders and faculty development professionals create robust programs that meet the needs of science faculty. Susan Elrod, Dean, College of Science and Mathematics, Fresno State The authors provide a road map and guidance for higher education professional development in the natural science for educators at all levels. While the examples are from the sciences, the approaches are readily adaptable to all disciplines. Spencer A. Benson, Director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning Enhancement, University of Macau

This book discusses the scope of science education research and practice in Asia. It is divided into five sections: the first consists of nine chapters providing overviews of science education in Asia (China, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Oman, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand). The second section offers chapters on content analysis of research articles, while the third includes three chapters on assessment and curriculum. The fourth section includes four chapters on innovative technology in science education; and the fifth section consists of four chapters on professional development, and informal learning. Each section also has additional chapters providing specific comments on the content. This collection of works provides readers with a starting point to better understand the current state of science education in Asia.

The rationale for this seminar was to strengthen the discipline-based art education (DBAE) stance and extend its horizons. The format of the proceedings featured a speaker followed by a respondent and group discussions on each of the four issues addressed by the seminar. Dennie Wolf explained how current research in child development and cognitive styles applies to concept acquisition in the context of DBAE. Enid Zimmerman responded to Wolf's remarks by saying that the designers of DBAE curricula should be sensitive to the varying perceptual capacities of children. June King McFee addressed the issue of art and society by explaining that the socio-cultural aspects of art should be included as a foundation for art education, curriculum development, and teacher education. Stephen Dobbs responded to McFee's remark by suggesting new and expansive possibilities for art education. Ronald N. MacGregor spoke on the issue of curriculum reform by stating that DBAE must now become more participatory and open-ended. D. Jack Davis responded to MacGregor's remarks by stating that both student and teachers should be involved in shaping the learning experience. Brent Wilson discussed the boundaries of DBAE. He pointed out that instruction in all four disciplines is not the goal but the means through which an educational ideal may be achieved. In response to this address, Rogena Degge stated that many more models are necessary if all districts are to develop appropriate versions of DBAE. The document also includes: (1) questions to speakers from participants and guests; (2) selected written recommendations; (3) a participant list; and (4) the complete texts of presentations by speakers and respondents. (SM)

The National Science Foundation funded a synthesis study on the status, contributions, and future direction of discipline-based education research (DBER) in physics, biological sciences, geosciences, and chemistry. DBER combines knowledge of teaching and learning with deep knowledge of discipline-specific science content. It describes the discipline-specific difficulties learners face and the specialized intellectual and instructional resources that can facilitate student understanding. Discipline-Based Education Research is based on a 30-month study built on two workshops held in 2008 to explore evidence on promising practices in undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. This book asks questions that are essential to advancing DBER and broadening its impact on undergraduate science teaching and learning. The book provides empirical research on undergraduate teaching and learning in the sciences, explores the extent to which this research currently influences undergraduate instruction, and identifies the intellectual and material resources required to further develop DBER. Discipline-Based Education Research provides guidance for future DBER research. In addition, the findings and recommendations of this report may invite, if not assist, post-secondary institutions to increase interest and research activity in DBER and improve its quality and usefulness across all natural science disciples, as well as guide instruction and assessment across natural science courses to improve student learning. The book brings greater focus to issues of student attrition in the natural sciences that are related to the quality of instruction. Discipline-Based Education Research will be of interest to educators, policy makers, researchers, scholars, decision makers in universities, government agencies, curriculum developers, research sponsors, and education advocacy groups.