Cited by 1,321Science Education and PedagogyVisual and Cognitive Learning ProcessesInnovative Teaching and Learning Methods

Why is science difficult to learn? Things are seldom what they seem

Johnstone, A. H.·1991·Journal of Computer Assisted Learning

Abstract

The difficulties of learning science are related to the nature of science itself and to the methods by which science is customarily taught without regard to what is known about children's learning. An information processing model is proposed to guide thinking and research in this area.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1111/j.1365-2729.1991.tb00230.x

Cites

6 of 6 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Cassels J. R. T., 1983, The meaning of words and the teaching of chemistry, Education in Chemistry, 20, 10
  2. Cassels J. R. T., 1985, Words that matter in Science
  3. Johnstone A. H., 1982, Macro and micro chemistry, School Science Review, 64, 377
  4. Johnstone A. H., 1988, Is practical work practicable?, Journal of College Science Teaching, 18, 190

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Johnstone, A. H.
Affiliations
University of Glasgow (GB)
Corresponding author
Johnstone, A. H.
Venue
Journal of Computer Assisted Learning
Publisher
Wiley
Published
1991-06
Volume
7
Issue
2
Pages
75-83
ISSN
  • 0266-4909 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2729
OpenAlex
W2166624758
Cited by
1,321
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 103 · 2025: 77 · 2024: 78 · 2023: 79 · 2022: 96 · 2021: 109 · 2020: 80 · 2019: 109 · 2018: 78 · 2017: 48 · 2016: 55 · 2015: 57 · 2014: 56 · 2013: 50 · 2012: 44
FWCI
2.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Journal of Computer Assisted Learning (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Science Education and Pedagogy
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Visual and Cognitive Learning Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Innovative Teaching and Learning Methods
Keywords
science learning difficulties, nature of science, science teaching methods, children's learning, information processing model, cognitive models of learning

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Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

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