This paper describes further research on a learning procedure for layered networks of deterministic, neuron-like units, described by Rumelhart et al. The units, the way they are connected, the learning procedure, and the extension to iterative networks are presented. In one experiment, a network learns a set of filters, enabling it to discriminate…

Decreasing fiscal budgets and declining student enrollments have forced many school districts to evaluate the alternative strategies in closing certain elementary or secondary schools, either temporarily or permanently, for purposes of consolidation. For rural and other small districts, the strategy of multiple district consolidation (merger) has…

Describes Hawaii University High School's use of a telecommunications satellite to link scientists from around the world with students; use of a communications network to link Michigan social studies classrooms for participation in a political science simulation; and the National Diffusion Network's use of a telecommunications satellite for…

Describes a three-year project to design a program in high technology at Milwaukee Area Technical College. The school and 11 area industries collaborated in program design and implementation. The purpose of the program is to train or retrain high school graduates to install, operate, and maintain technological systems. (CH)

In an experiment manipulating artificial data in a factorial design, model misspecification and varying levels of error in measurement and in model structure are shown to have significant effects on LISREL parameter estimates in a modified peer influence model. (Author/LMO)

Describes a study focusing on different presentation methods (pairs of students; entire class; and noncomputer list game-type setting) of a computer-based science simulation to sixth-grade students to determine the most beneficial method for student achievement. Results indicate large group instruction is slightly more beneficial. (MBR)

Describes a study that investigated whether an advance organizer could facilitate learning in a computer simulation environment using HyperCard. It examined the differential effectiveness of an advance organizer across three different grade levels--fifth, sixth, and seventh. Analyses of data showed significant differences between the organizer and…

Fostering teachers' clinical reasoning as a reflection of their understanding of classrooms should be a central purpose of any modern teacher education program. This article presents a rationale for and description of a proposal for pre-student teaching laboratory experiences which utilize computer-based simulations to facilitate development of…

Six procedures for combining sets of item response theory (IRT) item parameter estimates from different samples were evaluated using real and simulated response data. Results support use of covariance matrix-weighted averaging and a procedure using sample-size-weighted averaging of estimated item characteristic curves at the center of the ability…

Discussion of differences between problem-solving techniques of novices and experts suggests that both the experts' mental model and common novice problems can be derived from analyses of several expert and novice protocols. Three instructional strategies based on these differences are discussed, including the use of a computer simulation to solve…

Responds individually to Shoenfeld's objections that Ohlsson, Ernst, and Rees' model is unclear; that the hypotheses about learning are unjustified; that the models have not been tested against extant data; and that it is unclear whom the model models. (MDH)

Reports on a study of the effects of computer-simulated experiments (CSE), problem solving, and conventional approaches on high school students' chemistry achievement, science process skills, and attitudes toward chemistry. Testing indicated CSE and problem solving produced greater achievement in chemistry and science process skills. CSE produced…

Presents a problem to determine conditions under which two identical masses, constrained to move along two perpendicular wires, would collide when positioned on the wires and released with no initial velocity. Offers a solution that utilizes the position of the center of mass and a computer simulation of the phenomenon. (MDH)

Describes a study that examined the relative impact of 44 independent variables on performance in a business simulation used in an administrative policy course. Categories of variables include ability, motivation, interest, confidence, cohesion, and organizational formality; and results indicate that motivation and interest have the most effect on…

Forming the matching variable for the Mantel-Haenszel differential item functioning (DIF) procedure through use of the total score as the matching variable (thin) and forming the matching variable by pooling total score levels (thick) were compared in a Monte Carlo study. Reasons thick matching is superior are discussed. (SLD)