Discrete Mathematics instructors and students have long been struggling with various labelling and scanning algorithms for solving many important problems. This paper shows how to solve a wide variety of Discrete Mathematics and OR problems using assignment matrices and linear programming, specifically using Excel Solvers although the same…

Operating room (OR) management differs from clinical anesthesia in that statistical literacy is needed daily to make good decisions. Two of the authors teach a course in operations research for surgical services to anesthesiologists, anesthesia residents, OR nursing directors, hospital administration students, and analysts to provide them with the…

The true state of the system described here is characterized by a probability vector. At each stage of the system an action must be chosen from a finite set of actions. Each possible action yields an expected reward, transforms the system to a new state in accordance with a Markov transition matrix, and yields an observable outcome. The problem of…

Teaching quantitative courses can be challenging. Similarly, layout modeling and lean production concepts can be difficult to grasp in an introductory OM (operations management) class. This article describes a simulation model developed in PROMODEL to facilitate the learning of layout modeling and lean manufacturing. Simulation allows for the…

Description of the Tektronix-Based Interactive Graphics System for Instruction (TIGSI), which was developed for generating graphics displays in computer-assisted instruction materials, discusses several applications (e.g., reinforcing learning of concepts, principles, rules, and problem-solving techniques) and presents advantages of the TIGSI…

A study was conducted for the purpose of clarifying decision alternatives concerning computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in the Merrill Library at Utah State University. The main research questions were: (1) To what extent is the CAI system in use at present? (2) What factors have encouraged or hindered CAI usage? (3) How do people feel about the…

Five PLATO exercises on linear decision models were developed to investigate the feasibility of teaching material from operations research on the PLATO computer-based education system. The exercises were administered to business administration students enrolled in an introductory course in operations research. Each PLATO session was monitored to…

This yearbook of the Association for Programmed Learning and Educational Technology is intended to provide an updated general reference survey for practitioners in educational technology. In Section 1, eight invited articles on trends within the field serve to outline some aspects of current thinking. Section 2 contains articles on the state of…