The paper deals with the facts obtained from TIMSS 2003 (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study). This international comparative study, which includes 47 participant countries worldwide, explores dependence between eighth grade students' achievement in the areas of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and geography, and basic…

This research paper presents an analysis of the computer simulation, SimCity, used for an urban city planning class. The data were gathered by actual use of the simulation and an electronic mail network was employed to secure impressions from users of the simulation. SimCity (developed by Maxis) provides the player with rules of human factors,…

This booklet provides instructions for simulation and role play of historical events in U.S. history from 1925-1964. Included for student research and participation are: the Scopes trial in Tennessee involving supporters of the teaching of evolution in the schools and of creationism; the decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan ending World War…

This report provides information and conceptual tools needed to foster development of an interdisciplinary pedagogy geared to solving of environmental problems. It describes several procedures to further educational activities aimed at the solution of environmental problems. The approaches presented include the following: (1) The discussion group…

Instructors in technical schools, polytechnics, and universities of technology must continually help students find the links between theory and practice. Students often don't recognize the links among the various subjects they study, or the links among the various tasks they perform as they study. It is well known that students learn best by…

Although technological innovations have the capability to significantly change how scientific investigations are done and greatly enhance the teaching and learning of science, its use is no more effective than any other resource or innovation when researched-based effective teaching practices are not followed. This paper reviews established…

The three units of study presented are designed to promote space-related learning opportunities for gifted students and were prepared by recipients of the Scobee curriculum awards. In "Galactic Colonization for Our Future Astronauts" (Jacqueline Shimonauff), elementary-level students simulate a space experience in which a ship carries materials…

Designed to investigate whether or not science teachers can positively influence student achievement in, and attitude toward, science, this study focused on a specific teaching strategy and utilization of a computer-based simulation. The software package used in the study was the simulation, Volcanoes, by Earthware Computer Services. The sample…

Described is the development and evaluation of the Micro-Place Social Studies Curriculum, an instructional system for teaching economics and law concepts at the fifth grade level. The curriculum is based on a miniature market economy that requires students to provide food, clothing, and shelter cards for simulated families. Students own businesses…

Simulation was used as a teaching method in a family communication class to foster a feeling of empathy with others. Although the course was originally designed to be taught as a seminar, the large number of students prompted the division of students into groups of five or six, characterized as families, each of which was to discuss concepts and…

Three research efforts that used computer-based simulations for maintenance training were in progress when this report was written: Game-Based Learning, which investigated the use of computer-based games to train electronics diagnostic skills; Human Performance in Fault Diagnosis Tasks, which evaluated the use of context-free tasks to train…

There are two major concerns about the teaching of high school biology. One is the degree to which students memorize laws, facts, and principles, and the second involves the role of the classroom teacher. These aspects result in a discrepancy between the theory and practice of science education. The purpose of this report is to provide: (1) a…

This handbook introduces English teachers to the use of simulation games as a serious method for teaching composition, language, and literature. In the first section, separate chapters discuss the rationale for game-playing; the teacher's role in simulations and ways in which classroom interaction changes when games are used; a step-by-step…

This document, the fourth in a series of resource guides emphasizing economic-political analysis of contemporary public policies and issues, focuses on crime control. Designed as a three-week unit for secondary school students, the guide is presented in three sections. The introduction presents an economic and a political science framework for…

Developmental education activities should attempt to provide experiences which do not hold the student back from the normal flow of learning and which utilize processes already in the student's repertoire. Virtually all areas of developmental instruction can be supplemented with games and simulations, that is, activities designed to show the…