Involving two or more academic subjects, interdisciplinary studies aim to blend together broad perspectives, knowledge, skills, and epistemology in an educational setting. By focusing on topics or questions too broad for a single discipline to cover, these studies strive to draw connections between seemingly different fields. Cases on…

This paper describes a demonstration of an instructional package consisting of original, interactive microcomputer-based simulations and accompanying faculty and student guides designed to assist in teaching introductory psychology. An Apple IIe computer and color monitor were used. The paper contains: (1) a purpose statement; (2) a brief summary…

Considers two basic models of the teaching-learning process, described as the didactic and the communication models, and applies them to computer assisted learning. Conventional and intelligent tutorials and simulation are used as examples to compare the amount of control students have over learning strategy, content manipulation, and domain…

A simulation is described in terms of its three major aspects: the scenario, the underlying model, and the instructional overlay. The major focus of this paper is the instructional overlay as the component that serves to optimize learning and motivation. Functions of simulations are identified as the acquisition of content, the application of the…

Reports results of studies with an unsupervised learning paradigm called competitive learning which is examined using computer simulation and formal analysis. When competitive learning is applied to parallel networks of neuron-like elements, many potentially useful learning tasks can be accomplished. (Author)

The Educational Technology Center (ETC) Complex Systems Project was initiated to explore ways of using computers to help students understand systems which have often proven too complex for most high school students to understand. Preliminary work concentrated on the cognitive processes involved in modeling simple systems. This paper describes an…

The results of a simulation model of a queuing system are reported. Use in an introductory quantitative analysis course to enhance students' computer and quantitative modeling knowledge is described. (CW)

Describes ways in which computers are used to help undergraduates learn through designing, i.e., various creative activities. Highlights include projects sponsored by the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) and the FIPSE Technology Study Group (FTSG), the importance of design in curriculum, and problems with teaching and…

One of a series of developmental projects that have produced and evaluated applications of an advanced multimedia, computer-based technology for basic skills education for Army enlisted personnel, this project focused on the development of an integrated curriculum to teach learning strategies and problem-solving skills. The first task was to…

Presents thinking-aloud protocols from secondary pupils solving arithmetic story and geometrical problems and analyzes their protocols by using interpretation models founded on a general problem-solving model. A word problem solving simulation is also used to further explicate processes pupils use to solve mathematical tasks. (Author/MBR)

The third of four symposium papers argues that, if instructional methods are to improve learning, they must have two aspects: a direct trace to a specific learning process, and empirical support that demonstrates their significance. Focusing on the tracing process, the paper presents an information processing model of learning that can be used by…

Reviews two studies whose results indicate that students who share computers develop better work skills and social attitudes. One study, using eighth graders and a computer simulation, measured performance on worksheets and final exams. The second study used language learning via computer-assisted instruction to compare results on achievement…

Information on student learning in terms of amount and efficiency when using interactive video instead of traditional laboratory methods as well as questions on the use of live animals for instruction is provided. The methods, results, discussion, and summary are included. (KR)

Describes design principles followed in developing an interactive microcomputer-based simulation to study financial and economic aspects of the Dutch social security system. The main goals are to improve participants' insights into the formal simulation model, and to improve policy development skills. Plans for future research are also discussed.…

Reports on a study designed to determine the relative effectiveness of different instructional approaches on chemistry laboratory achievement. Investigated differences in achievement in spectrophotometry among college freshmen who received either traditional, learning cycle, or computer simulation instruction. Results indicated that students…