Argues the pros, cons, and alternatives to animal dissection. Discusses several cases involving student objections and the enactment of a California state law which upholds the right of a student to conscientious objection to dissection involving the harmful or destructive use of animals. (RT)

Discusses the question, "how do learners best learn." Urges teachers to strive to create a community atmosphere within the classroom. Suggests things teachers can do which will assist in the process of creating this community atmosphere. Lists organizations and their addresses from which information can be obtained. (KO)

Describes a semester long simulation of Supreme Court procedures. Recommends this activity for generating an understanding of the decision making process and the impact of the Justices' personal values and attitudes upon Supreme Court decisions. Notes that the course engages students in the learning process while encouraging the acquisition of…

A study of 61 high school biology students found that Interactive Video Disk (IVD) simulation was as effective as actual frog dissection in promoting student learning of frog anatomy and dissection procedures. When used as a preparation for dissection, IVD simulation helped students perform better dissections and learn more from doing dissections.…

Describes the origination of the journal, "Simulation & Games" as an outgrowth of the Academic Games Project at Johns Hopkins University in the late 1960s. The Project developed simulation games, pretested them, performed teacher training, and compared the effects with traditional pedagogy. Discusses the planning and implementation…

Describes and evaluates seven computer simulation games that help students learn about United States history, geography, and other cultural groups living in the United States. These simulations help students learn by having them experience life as an explorer of an unknown land that is now part of the United States. Program evaluations are…

In four experiments, college students acting as teachers to a simulated class of six students adopted a policy to balance achievement means and variances, allocating about 50 percent of the time to group instruction and the remainder to individual instruction. Results indicate that simulations can help teachers improve instructional decision…

Describes a simulation that provides a realistic business context and gives participants the opportunity to experience a clash of cultural values. Notes that the participants are divided into three fictional cultures with specific cultural profiles. Notes that the simulation has been successfully used with undergraduates, MBA students, and…

The teaching and learning potential of interactive video (IV) are explored. Some of the programs currently in use are described. The use of IV for simulations, practical work, problem solving, and presentational skills are discussed. (KR)

Creating a stock market simulation for the classroom computer reinforces math skills and can help students gain a good sense of how current events affect the economy, how to manage money and understand profit and loss, and how to use spreadsheet software. (IAH)

States that teaching the concepts of evolution to secondary school and college students is difficult. Presents a playing card game-based simulation that teaches the complex idea of natural selection in a simple, nonthreatening way. Includes three figures, one table, and step-by-step instructional procedures. (CFR)

This replication of a comparison of student perceptions and attitudes toward learning from case studies and from management simulations found that students perceive the simulation exercise to be superior to case study discussions for learning skills in the business policy course. Because these results contradict the findings of the original study,…

Describes the development of educational computer software called scenario software that was designed to incorporate advances in cognitive, affective, and physiological research. Instructional methods are outlined; the need to change from didactic methods to discovery learning is explained; and scenario software design features are discussed. (24…

Automated evaluation methods, used in medical school training programs, are discussed. The use of situational questions which help students to make connections between the biochemical knowledge acquired and its application in medical practice is proposed. Examples of these types of questions are included. (KR)

Describes a simulation exercise involving an imaginary organism in which students study the effect of predation on allele frequencies, examine the assumptions of the Hardy-Weinberg law, and consider whether the need to survive is a guiding force in evolution. Includes instruction for conducting the exercise. (MDH)