Skip to main content
Log in

Development of a hypertext computer program to enhance the scientific writing of upper secondary physics students

  • Published:
Research in Science Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This is a descriptive account of the development of a hypertext computer program to enhance the scientific writing skills of upper secondary physics students. The program facilitates the integration of concept mapping, inferential reading, student-teacher dialogue, models of writing in the scientific register and the clear display of assessment criteria. This was achieved by the design and use of a program called ‘HyperCardPhysics’ (HCP) for Apple-Macintosh computers. It has been tried out in a number of schools in South Australia with positive results.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bereiter, C., & Scardamalia, M. (1987).The psychology of written composition. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biggs, J. & Collis, K. (1982).Evaluating the quality of learning. The SOLO taxonomy New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collier, G. H. (1989). Thoth-11 hypertext with explicit semantics. InHypertext '87 Proceedings (pp. 269–290). New York: Association for Computing Machinery Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronin, P., Brown, L. & Pollard, J. (1993). An assessment scheme for upper secondary physics essays.Australian Science Teachers Journal. (in press).

  • Derewianka, B. (1990).Exploring how texts work. Rozelle, NSW: Primary English Teachers Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, P. (1991). Shifting parameters of writing research: Writing as social practice.Australian Journal of Reading, 14(2), 96–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilding, K. R. (1988).South Australian enquiry into immediate post-compulsory education. Adelaide: Education Department of South Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilding, K. R. (1989).Second report of the enquiry into immediate post-compulsory education. Adelaide: Education Department of South Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • hardy, J. & Klarwein, D. (1990)Written genres in the secondary school. Cairns: Peninsula Region Resource Centre Department of Education Queensland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartley, J. (1993). Writing, thinking and computers.British Journal of Education Technology, 24(1), 22–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, P. (1987).Conceptual physics. Menlo Park, CA: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemke, J. L. (1990)Talking science: Language, learning and values. Norwood, NJ: Ablex Publication Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, J. (1990). Literacy in science: learning to handle text as technology. In F. Christie (Ed.),Literacy for a changing world. Hawthorn: Australian Council of Educational Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neuwirth, C., Kaufer, D., Chimera, R. & Gillespie, T. (1989). InHypertext '87 Proceedings (pp. 121–141). New York: Association for Computing Machinery Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothery, J. (1989). Exploring the written mode and the range of factual genres. In F. Christie (Ed.),Writing in schools: study quide. Geelong: Deakin University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. B., Weiss, S. F. & Ferguson, G. J. (1989). A hypertext writing environment and its cognitive basis. InHypertext '87 Proceedings (pp. 195–214). New York: Association for Computing Machinery Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • SSABSA. (1992).The SACE Writing Based Literacy Assessment. Adelaide: Senior Secondary Assessment Board of South Australia.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Specializations: scientific literacy, writing in science, computers in science.

Specializations: student note taking in lectures, development and evaluation of computer programs to facilitate the learning of Chemistry.

Specializations: affective aspects of science and technology education.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cronin, P., Williams, G. & Rennie, L. Development of a hypertext computer program to enhance the scientific writing of upper secondary physics students. Research in Science Education 23, 42–50 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02357043

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02357043

Keywords

Navigation