The Transparent Computer simulation was developed to address the educational system's need to provide the basic skills and knowledge that are required to understand computers and interact with them. Intended to be integrated in the computer literacy program in elementary and junior high schools, the Transparent Computer is an example of an…

A test of predicted anxiety which focused on public speaking was given before and after two life skills courses in an English college. The students' own reports and observations by the author supported the results, which indicated a reduction of anxiety in the course which used simulations. (Author/LRW)

Survey data from two intercollegiate Model United Nations (UN) conferences, pretest data, and results of open-ended questionnaires from one delegation are utilized to identify and explain important elements in the student preparation stage, the Model UN simulation, and possible educational benefits of participation. (MBR)

The central purpose of the present study was to evaluate several statistical techniques (analysis of variance (ANOVA) on raw gains, standardized ANOVA, standard analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and z-score ANOVA) under various quasi-experimental conditions (three levels of reliability, three levels of sample size, three levels of gain, and the…

The Transparent Computer, a computer simulation designed to teach programming concepts to non-programmers, provides a graphic representation of the computer and illustrates information flow within the units of the computer. The emphasis of the simulation is on the acquisition and application of concepts and comprehension of the structuring of…

This study identified and examined the validity of a Brunerian theory-based, aptitude-enhancing, standardized educational simulation by assessing spatial visualization ability of students assigned to simulation and non-simulation treatment groups. Results indicate the simulation increased high aptitude learners' efficiency (and initially…

This study investigated the efficacy of using the advance organizer as a device to improve medical students' understanding of a clinical case simulation on the microcomputer and to enhance performance on a posttest. Advance organizers were found to be effective and most consistent with Mayer's assimilation theory. (MBR)

This paper examines the effect of using a systems thinking approach in existing secondary school curricula to teach content-specific knowledge as well as general problem solving skills, and the effect of using STELLA (Structural Thinking Experimental Learning Laboratory with Animation), a simulation-modeling software program, as a tool by which to…

Clarifies definitions of simulation, game, drama, and exercise, and describes a study of 17- to 19-year-old students which was designed to determine their public speaking anxiety level after using seven classroom simulations to prepare them for the experience. Students' personal development and behavior throughout the experience are discussed.…

This paper presents the results of two studies which were performed to assess the effects of the practice of an interactive video game on spatial visualization test scores. The first study used 70 Laval University undergraduate students as subjects, while subjects for the second study were 101 seventh grade students from the area of Quebec City.…