National Assessment of Educational Progress reading data were scaled using a unidimensional item response theory model. Bock's full-information factor analysis and Rosenbaum's test of unidimensionality were applied. Conclusions about unidimensionality for balanced incomplete block spiralled data were the same as for complete data. (Author/GDC)

Describes six types of software (manipulative, problem-solving, text reconstruction, text construction, simulation, and adventure) and the possible roles of each in computer-assisted language learning. (Author/CB)

This study examined the effects of a simulated patient examination administered to applicants for the General Surgical residency program at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Results obtained from 29 applicants showed no significant differences in faculty ratings between applicants provided practical exam results and those using…

Describes a unit of study for the middle school which involves students in simulating the writing of the United States Constitution. Students work in small groups and pattern their own Preamble and Bill of Rights after the originals. (JDH)

Describes eight resources for teaching about the United States Constitution available from ERIC. Described are instructional materials for junior and senior high school students on such topics as (1) the role of the U.S. Supreme Court, (2) freedom of the press, (3) the history of the United States Constitution, and (4) problems of the…

New information technology promises greatly improved education and might increase speed, mastery, and independence in learning. Much of what is now taught in college could be learned earlier, later, and elsewhere. Eliminating the geographic imperative of education, financing new forms of higher learning, and future institutions are discussed. (MLW)

This study examined halo in raters' beliefs of item (attribute) relatedness. College students' prior beliefs of the co-occurrence of teaching attributes were correlated with actual correlation of teaching attributes of fictional college professors. Results showed some support for beliefs-of-relatedness source of halo. (LMO)

This paper is concerned with the construction of effect size standard errors in situations where the effect sizes are independent but the data have likely been sampled from non-normal distributions, and possibly for different studies, from different families of non-normal distributions. Asymptotic distribution-free estimators are provided for two…

The relationship between voting habits and parental status on the need for evaluative data before supporting a controversial school program was examined. Parents who voted most frequently wanted the most information and less immediately gave support. Nonvoting nonparents were similar. Voting nonparents were more likely to provide immediate…

Investigates the power of a macropropositional model of comprehension for a complex social interaction (a rape interrogation) to predict accurate recall by both individuals and groups. The findings are considered in relation to strategic models of discourse comprehension, and the implications for future social psychological research are discussed.…

Describes an activity which simulates a trip to the moon. Explains the preparations, procedures, and tests involved in this culminating activity of an astronomy unit for the third grade student. Examples of student's assignments during the exercise are included. (ML)

Clarifies appropriateness of certain simulation approaches by distinguishing between different types of simulations--experimental, predictive, evaluative, and educational--on the basis of purpose, assumptions, procedures, and criteria for evaluating. The kinds of questions each type best responds to are discussed. (65 references) (MBR)

In this lesson, junior high students consider two instances of exponential population growth--one at the local community level and one at the world level--as a way of illuminating some of the problems posed by growth and the limits that may curtail it. (RM)

This one-week role-playing exercise for senior high school students simulates a street trial centering on the issue of slavery in the years before the American Civil War. A leading figure in the abolitionist movement is forced to confront her opponents in a face-to-face encounter. (RM)

Discusses two uses of microcomputers for learning disabled (LD) children--one uses them to do traditional things more efficiently; the other includes involvement of LD children with computer programing, particularly LOGO, and use of simulation and word processing programs. Reasons why LOGO is ideal for LD children are identified. (MBR)