Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preliminary Material / R. Taconis , P. den Brok and A. Pilot -- Introduction / Ruurd Taconis , Perry den Brok and Albert Pilot -- Bringing Science to Life / Judith Bennett -- Place-Based Learning Environments / Carlos G. A. Ormond and David B. Zandvliet -- Science Kits / Sabine Fechner and Elke Sumfleth -- Teaching and Learning in Context-Based Science Classes / Donna King -- Teachers in Learning Communities / David-S. Di Fuccia and Bernd Ralle -- Measuring Context-Based Learning Environments in Dutch Science Classrooms / Lesley G. A. De Putter-Smits , Ruurd Taconis and Wim M. G. Jochems -- Interaction between Teachers and Teaching Materials / Martin A. J. Vos , Ruurd Taconis , Wim M. G. Jochems and Albert Pilot -- Supporting Teachers to Transform Their Classes into a Context-Based Learning Environment / Zeger-Jan Kock , Ruurd Taconis , Sanneke Bolhuis and Koeno Gravemeijer -- Analysing Middle School Students’ Perceptions of Their Science Classroom in Relation to Attitudes and Motivation / Nazmiye Arisoy , Jale Cakiroglu , Semra Sungur and Sibel Telli -- A Framework for Empowering Teachers for Teaching and Designing Context-Based Chemistry Education / Machiel J. Stolk , Astrid M. W. Bulte , Onno de Jong and Albert Pilot -- Context-Based Science Education in Senior Secondary Schools in The Netherlands / Wout Ottevanger , Elvira Folmer and Wilmad Kuiper -- Concluding Reflections on Context-Based Learning Environments in Science / Albert Pilot , Ruurd Taconis and Perry den Brok -- Reviewers of the Chapters in This Volume / R. Taconis , P. den Brok and A. Pilot -- About the Authors / R. Taconis , P. den Brok and A. Pilot -- Index / R. Taconis , P. den Brok and A. Pilot.

Available to subscribing member institutions only.

Context-based science education has led to the transformation of science education in countries all over the world, with changes also visible in learning environments and how these are being shaped. These changes involve authentic problems on research and design, new types of interactions within communities of practice, new content areas and also new challenges for teachers in teaching, motivating, scaffolding and assessing their students, among other things. This book focuses on context-based science education and its resulting changes in the perspective of research on learning environments. It also focuses on the implications for the teachers and the professional development of their competencies and beliefs. The book consists of eleven chapters by experts in various themes surrounding learning environments research and science education, preceded by and concluded with a chapter with reflections on context-based learning environments in science by the editors of this book. The conclusion they draw is that professional development of science teachers may be the most important and the most difficult part of the process of teachers creating context-based learning environments in science, as is the focus in the title of this book.