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…

Discussed are the use of probability simulations in a mathematics classroom. Computer simulations using regular dice and special dice are described. Sample programs used to generate 100 rolls of a pair of dice in BASIC and Logo languages are provided. (YP)

Describes the background and implementation of "GeoSim," a multidisciplinary computer-based simulation used to teach introductory geography to college students. Discusses the four modules of the project. Maintains that "GeoSim" promotes interactive learning and outlines plans for Internet dissemination to geography educators.…

Describes the use of a spreadsheet in running a hands-on prey/predator simulation that enables students to see the effect of selection pressure on one allele in a gene pool. Discusses setting up and running the simulation, class discussion issues, exploring assumptions, and extensions. (JRH)

Presents several theoretical solutions to a geometry problem involving circles and probability. Includes simulation procedures to estimate the solutions. (MKR)

This article describes how an eighth grade class developed a computer-based social studies simulation on the Great Depression. Included are objectives for such development activities, a set of steps for guiding development, a discussion of potential difficulties and rewards, data on student reactions to simulation development, and information on…

Describes step-by-step techniques that can be used to develop educational simulations for undergraduate biology students. Also discussed are simulations that are currently being developed with the support of the National Science Foundation. (ZWH)

This article provides a diverse collection of examples of computer use in elementary and secondary school social studies. Names and addresses are provided for contacting many of the projects. (JDH)

Suggests that simulations and new technologies present new ways to look at historical questions. Discusses approaches from basic board game simulations to the use of artificial intelligence. States that educators must accept new technologies as instructional tools and that the concept of history must be modified to work with these tools. (GEA)

Discusses the computer as a communication medium to support learning. Illustrates the benefits of this reconceptualization in the context of having students author and play interactive simulation games and exchange them over the Internet. (RS)

Presents examples that illustrate how spreadsheets can be used to ask and answer all sorts of scientific questions given suitable automation of useful spreadsheet procedures. Examples include data exploration, data analysis, project presentation, simulations, and students writing their own models. (Author/JRH)

This paper describes the use of interactive, Physlet[R]-based curricular material designed to help students learn concepts of thermodynamics with a particular focus on the use of kinetic theory models. These exercises help students visualize ideal gas particle dynamics and engine cycles, make concrete connections between mechanics and…

Presents a model to explain the behavior of oscillatory phenomena found in the soda bottle oscillator. Describes recording the oscillations, and the design of the model based on the qualitative explanation of the oscillations. Illustrates a variety of physiochemical concepts including far-from-equilibrium oscillations, feedback, solubility and…

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