Describes how the simulation of Mars settlement is conducted in a class at Northern Arizona University and discusses the pedagogical and anthropological premises involved. The course requires students to use both halves of their brains, to use technology creatively, and to bind creativity to technological feasibility. (MMU)

The behavior of eight measures of fit used to evaluate confirmatory factor analysis models was studied through Monte Carlo simulation to determine the extent to which sample size, model size, estimation procedure, and level of nonnormality affect fit when analyzing polytomous data. Implications of results for evaluating fit are discussed. (SLD)

A series of evaluations of total enterprise simulation in business capstone courses found no direct positive relationship between performance in the management game and learning outcomes. Ability to play the game did not correlate to learning. (SK)

Defines discovery learning and explains five learning architectures, or models, including case-based learning, incidental learning, learning by exploring, learning by reflection, and simulation-based learning. Discusses obstacles in applying discovery learning to library instruction and outlines strategies for overcoming the obstacles. (LRW)

A person-fit method that allows researchers to identify nonfitting response vectors is the l(z) statistic. Simulation results show that l(z) may not perform as expected when estimated person parameters are used rather than true person parameters. Other considerations in using true and estimated person parameters are discussed. (SLD)

Properties of the pseudolikelihood method of estimating Rasch model item parameters, which is based on comparing responses to pairs of items without regard to other items, are studied. Simulation found pseudolikelihood estimates comparable to conditional and marginal maximum likelihood estimates. (SLD)

Type I error rates for the Johansen test were estimated using simulated data for a variety of conditions. Results indicate that Type I error rates for the Johansen test depend heavily on the number of groups and the ratio of the smallest sample size to the number of dependent variables. Sample size guidelines are presented. (SLD)

Describes the advantages of simulations over real-life tasks in courses in instructional materials development. Explains how to develop a simulation, including setting objectives, considering learning and gaming principles, and evaluation; and discusses simulation as an experiential approach that is cost effective. (Contains 45 references.) (LRW)

Describes a model of instructional simulation design where designers create models in a system dynamics package and then transfer them into a general instructional authoring system for the addition of instructional support features. Topics include building versus using simulations; procedural versus conceptual simulations; and discovery versus…

Discusses the educational implications of simulations in international relations. Highlights include the development of international relations simulations; the role of technology; the International Communication and Negotiation Simulations (ICONS) project at the University of Maryland; evolving information technology; and simulating real-world…

Describes an experience using students as assistants in a simulation-based instructional unit of a large introductory American government class. The assistants had participated in the simulation as students and came back to serve as part of an independent study project. The assistants facilitated the use of simulation in a large class where it…

Graduating nurse practitioners (n=26) completed simulated clinical encounters with standardized patients. Their performance did not reflect their results on other clinical evaluations and national certifying examinations, suggesting that simulated encounters lack validity and reliability. They may be useful for formative learning. (Contains 38…

Performed a simulation study to demonstrate the dramatic impact of capitalization on estimation errors on ability estimation in adaptive testing. Discusses four different strategies to minimize the likelihood of capitalization in computerized adaptive testing. (SLD)

Proposes a new multistage adaptive-testing procedure that factors the discrimination parameter (alpha) into the item-selection process. Simulation studies indicate that the new strategy results in tests that are well-balanced, with respect to item exposure, and efficient. (SLD)

Examined whether the item response theory (IRT) true-score equating method is more adversely affected by the presence of multidimensionality than two conventional equating methods, linear and equipercentile equating. Results of two simulation studies suggest that the IRT method performs as well as the conventional methods when the correlation…