This discussion of the use of microcomputers to simulate complex situations for classroom use describes the advantages of using simulations, including their adaptability to many subject areas and content fields, their power to explain complex concepts, and their ability to provide variations for individual users. As an example, seven objectives…

This paper describes the MAIS and presents the BASIC programming code for the heuristic employed in this expert tutor management system, which is based on the findings of investigations of the direct connections among such learning environment factors as individual differences, cognitive learning theory, instructional technology, subject matter…

This paper contains the technical specifications, schematic diagrams, and program printout for a computer software package for the development and administration of diagnostic tests. The second version of the Diagnostic Testing Package DX consists of a PASCAL-based set of modules located in two main programs: (1) EDITTEST creates, modifies, and…

Information about the effect of changes in interest rates and the length of repayment on mortgages is available through the use of this loan and mortgage spreadsheet program designed for use on Apple computers. It is especially designed to help people evaluate the relative advantages of a variable rate mortgage with a low initial rate of interest…

COMMENTS is a computer program written in Basic language for an IBM PC and a file which stores observations and questions and prints teacher comments on a personalized comment sheet produced for each student paper, mostly by using three-letter codes. To use the program, the teacher first reads the student paper, noting spelling errors and needed…

The Rockwell AIM 65 is recommended for use in physics laboratories. Among advantages cited are that the basic board can be purchased customized; for example, it can be purchased with or without a printer, power supply, extra memory, and other items. In addition, the computer is basically designed to control equipment and take data from peripheral…

This report documents a computer program for simulation evaluation of item response theory (IRT) ability estimators. This Honeywell DPS version is a very slight modification of the program originally developed in FORTRAN-77 on a DEC VAX 11/780. The model of the world simulated by the program involves a unidimensional test in which the probability…

This article presents a computer program for aiding prediction of how to make maximum use of the physical plant to accommodate the instructional program at a secondary school. It uses Conrad's formula for determining capacity, room needs, and utilization of facilities. The formula, BASIC program, and a sample table are provided. (DCS)

Suggests having students design a football field (looking at it from above) as the final project of a unit on computer graphics. Includes listings for 13 short Applesoft programs (involving LO- and HI-RES graphics) which students can use in making the field. Advanced students can use the animation techniques. (JN)

Discusses applications of microcomputers to: (1) presentation of the content of humanities courses, especially computer assisted instruction and simulation programs; and (2) science, technology and society courses to reinforce points about limitations and appropriate uses of computers. Examples of computer programs used to facilitate these…

Describes the design and implementation of a microcomputer-based model active solar heating system. Includes discussions of: (1) the active solar components (solar collector, heat exchanger, pump, and fan necessary to provide forced air heating); (2) software components; and (3) hardware components (in the form of sensors and actuators). (JN)

Presents a method for using matrix algebra and computers to encode and decode secret messages. Provides examples of coding procedures, a short review of matrix multiplication, and a BASIC program for use with secret messages containing up to 1000 numbers. (RT)

BRRVAR, which uses the Balanced Repeated Replication approach, was designed for use with the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). It was created for the National Center for Education Statistics, to enlarge their capacity to estimate and analyze sampling errors for statistics generated from educational surveys with complex sampling designs. BRRVAR…

The Navy has long been aware of a literacy gap existing between the level at which Navy technical documents are written and the reading comprehension level of enlisted personnel. In order to provide guidance in the restructuring of text and the limiting of vocabulary to reduce this gap, the Training Analysis and Evaluation Group developed the…

This computer program, written in BASIC, performs three different calculations of test reliability: (1) the Kuder-Richardson method; (2); the "common split-half" method; and (3) the Rulon-Guttman split-half method. The program reads sequential access data files for microcomputers that have been set up by statistical packages such as…