Hypermedia in Science and Mathematics: Applications in Teacher Education, Problem Solving and Student Testing

Abstract

A review of selected hypermedia applications in teacher education, problem solving, and student testing is presented. In science teacher education, hypermedia provides opportunities for preservice teachers to gain an indepth view of classroom episodes, analyze models of instruction such as discovery learning, and contrast effective and ineffective instructional strategies. Reported outcomes include significant differences in student-centered instruction, mostly in favor of the video groups among student teachers, and in favor of the baseline groups among practicum students. Also, significant improvements were reported for student teachers over practicum students in most paired observation ratings. In mathematics problem solving, hypermedia provides an environment for anchoring instruction in video-based macrocontexts for students to gain control over the problem situation, and helps to improve student ability to solve complex problems. In student testing, the role of the hypermedia is only emerging. The hypermedia seems to provide a convenient tool for developing and administering science tests with outcomes such as increased achievement levels, correctness, number of attempts, and time-on-task. More research is needed before establishing hypermedia as a viable tool for testing in science.