This interesting book discusses why, as an activity, topic and metaphor, play and game have become an integral part of modern life. Empirically exemplary and theoretically grounded, this book discusses the developments and expansions in gaming, from easily accessible casual games to the galaxy-spanning gaming worlds of Massively Multiplayer Online…

Virtual, mixed, and augmented reality, termed "extended reality," or XR, have great potential for classroom-based learning. Yet many questions about the use and widespread adoption of these emerging technologies remain. To share insights, opportunities, and challenges, the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop and the XR Association…

The emergent phenomena of virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality is having an impact on ways people communicate with technology and with each other. Schools and higher education institutions are embracing these emerging technologies and implementing them at a rapid pace. The challenge, however, is to identify well-defined problems…

This study discusses the effectiveness of the use of simulations in a social studies classroom. The purposes were to: (1) define a simulation; (2) discuss its origin and underlying educational philosophy that advocates its uses in the classroom; and (3) analyze the current literature available and answer some of the controversial questions posed…

Laboratory simulations combine the strengths of lab experiments and field studies while avoiding many of their liabilities. They permit the emotional involvement, the time needed for development of norms and interlocked systems of interaction, and the broad range of variables typical of field settings, yet allow for experimental controls and…

Research was undertaken to investigate various methods of presentation of a computer based science simulation as it related to student content knowledge of the simulation concepts. Three treatment groups of sixth grade students were used in the study: (1) two students per computer interacting with the simulation; (2) a total class presentation of…

Since 1969, Toronto's Metropolitan Separate School Board has been rewarding additional monies to "Special Needs" schools within its jurisdiction in the hope of raising educational opportunity in those schools to a more equitable level. The attempt to arrive at a fair system for determining which schools should receive such assistance led…