Despite the growing number of books designed to radically reconsider the educational value of video games as powerful learning tools, there are very few practical guidelines conveniently available for prospective history and social studies teachers who actually want to use these teaching and learning tools in their classes. As the games and…

Understanding the concept of the sampling distribution of a statistic is essential for the understanding of inferential procedures. Unfortunately, this topic proves to be a stumbling block for students in introductory statistics classes. In efforts to aid students in their understanding of this concept, alternatives to a lecture-based mode of…

Contends that microcomputers were introduced into the social studies classrooms to teach higher order thinking skills. Maintains that computers can aid in teaching both process and content. Reviews new computer software programs and points out each programs' educational objectives and problems. Contends microcomputers are an invaluable tool of…

Illustrates different types of opportunities for using computer assisted instruction (CAI) on personal computers in the teaching of economics with four examples of currently available software. Describes the difficulties in providing and supporting CAI, and concludes with an analysis of the difficulties caused by the "public goods character" of…

Learning about the physical environment from computer simulation models is discussed in terms of three stages: exploration, experimentation, and calibration. Discusses the effective use of models and presents two computer simulations written in BBC BASIC, STORFLO (for catchment hydrology) and SLOPEK (for hillslope evolution). (Author/GEA)

Reviews the uses of DEMOS, a set of demographic computer simulations which can be used to improve instruction in introductory sociology courses. Gives examples of both interactive and noninteractive exercises, concluding that DEMOS is easy to use and enjoyable, with approximately 90 percent of students recommending its continued use. (GEA)

Explores the use of computer simulation/modeling programs for teaching a variety of science concepts. (Author/CCM)

A computer program and simulations that can be used to help college economics students understand dynamic economic processes are described. (RM)

Describes an experiment from a physical chemistry course that consists of a computer simulation of throwing dice and the statistics involved. The experiment is designed to improve students' understanding of statistical evaluation of experimental data and to introduce programming techniques. (DDR)

Describes a computer program that can model the equilibrium processes in the production of ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen, sulfur trioxide from sulfur dioxide and oxygen, and the nitrogen dioxide-dinitrogen tetroxide equilibrium. Provides information about downloading the program ChemEquilibrium from the World Wide Web. (JRH)

Describes five categories of computer programs useful for content area reading instruction: utility programs, word processing, simulations, telecommunications for access to a database, and story architecture. (HOD)

The structure, execution, uses, and software specifications for this spreadsheet file are discussed. Availability and modifications of this program are described. (CW)

Two methods for solving problems are presented, designed to help people overcome difficulties that often occur in the problem-solving process. One difficulty people have is in using their knowledge to reach the decisive solution idea. The proposed "method of description" for eliminating this difficulty is based on a directed enrichment of the…

Presented are two problems that can be solved using a computer simulation by students who have completed Algebra II. The distance and bisector formulas and the various forms of the equations of a circle and straight line are the topics. Computer program listings are included. (MNS)

The principle of the multiplier-accelerator interaction is explained, and how a computer program to model it can be developed is shown. A series of simulations that can be used to explore the model's behavior are suggested. The simulations can be used in college-level economics classes. (Author/RM)