A common problem in many schools is the lack of equipment and materials in their science laboratories due to both limited budget available to the school and high maintenance cost of the lab. The latest technological advancements provide great opportunities for schools to go over the budget and cost issues by using 3D virtual learning environments…

Secondary school science teachers have a wide variety of teaching approaches available to them as they support the development of their students' scientific literacy and knowledge of, and about, science. Information technologies, on computers and other devices, offer potentially valuable ways to supplement this "toolkit" of teaching approaches.…

Students in 4 Canadian high school physics classes completed instructional sequences in two key physics topics related to motion--Straight Line Motion and Newton's First Law. Different sequences of laboratory investigation, teacher explanation (lecture) and the use of computer-based scientific visualizations (animations and simulations) were…

Science educators and school administrators are reexamining the educational value of animal dissection in the nation's schools and are focusing on simulation as an instructional alternative. One implication of the debate is that simulations can lead to equivalent learning to hands-on dissection. The second implication is whether dissection is…

The goal of this project was to help science teachers shift to a more inquiry-based teaching style by supplying learning tools that support a more student-centered approach. The project employed PSI (Personal Study Instrument) Sim Modules, a simulation-based electronic learning environment designed to address misconceptions in middle school…

The dual purpose of this article is to provide a synthesis of the findings related to the use of computer simulations in physics education and to present implications for teachers and researchers in science education. We try to establish a conceptual framework for the utilization of computer simulations as a tool for learning and instruction in…

Presents the LOGO computer language as a source to experience and investigate scientific laws. Discusses aspects and uses of LOGO. Lists two LOGO programs, one to simulate a gravitational field and the other projectile motion. (MVL)

Covers research conducted within the past 10 years on the topic of using computer models and simulations to aid science instruction at the precollege level. The research is categorized into three main areas: (1) students running preprogrammed simulations; (2) students creating dynamic models using modeling environments; and (3) students using…

Examines various types of software useful in teaching about nuclear energy. Includes a list of 11 software resources (including program name, source and cost, system requirements, and brief comments about the program). (JN)

Presents a lesson plan format which enables teachers to incorporate simulations into their classroom activities. Particular attention is given to planning for the interactions students should have while engaged with the simulation. Includes cognitive and affective results obtained from trials of the format with elementary/middle school students…

Reports on a process which allows active study of mutating the characteristics of a population of organisms. States that the program, written in C, should run on a MS/DOS system with 640K; CGA is required for graphics output. Describes implementation procedures and two examples using the program. (RT)

Abstracts six conference papers from the ISRAEL Association for Computers in Education. Included topics are spreadsheets for problem solving, concept acquisition with microcomputers, numerical mathematics, learning math as a science, studying polygons with LOGO, and a growth curve simulation of microorganisms. (MVL)

Examines the use of a computer simulation program as a tool to help in the understanding of wave phenomena. After analyzing some of the main difficulties and common misconceptions about waves, features of the "Making Waves" software package are described. Figures showing a typical monitor display are presented. (YP)

Provides a listing of a software graphics program that investigates the law of reflection and Snell's law of refraction. Written in BASIC for the Apple II personal computer. (MVL)

Explains the functions of and the techniques employed in expert systems. Offers the program "The Periodic Table Expert," as a model for using artificial intelligence techniques in BASIC. Includes the program listing and directions for its use on: Tandy 1000, 1200, and 2000; IBM PC; PC Jr; TRS-80; and Apple computers. (ML)