Building upon the conviction that student learning may be enhanced when the direct worlds of experience intersect with academics, this paper offers several assignments and exercises for the college-level business and professional-speaking course which intend to encourage this intersection. The paper serves as a resource of ideas for anyone who…

This study discusses the effectiveness of the use of simulations in a social studies classroom. The purposes were to: (1) define a simulation; (2) discuss its origin and underlying educational philosophy that advocates its uses in the classroom; and (3) analyze the current literature available and answer some of the controversial questions posed…

Errors in item parameter estimates have a negative impact on the accuracy of item and test information functions. The estimation errors may be random, but because items with higher levels of discriminating power are more likely to be selected for a test, and these items are most apt to contain positive errors, the result is that item information…

This book was designed with activities for students in grades 6-12. The activities are to increase student awareness about the world and the interconnectedness of its people. Each section contains numerous activities. Section titles include: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Development and Technology"; (3) "World Trade and Interdependency"; (4)…

This packet contains many of the elements of the earlier publications, "The Mini-Economy: Integrating Economics into the Elementary Curriculum" and "Teaching Economics in the Mini-Economy." This revised edition offers a new section on implementing the mini-economy in the middle school. The classroom mini-economy is a proven,…

This packet of materials contains law-related materials for students to conduct a mock trial. In this case a faulty water system, containing the parasite Pindia, contributed to the death of an AIDS patient. Statements from the plaintiff, a representative of the Metro City Water Department, health officials, and others are presented. New releases,…

In computerized adaptive testing, updating parameter estimates using adaptive testing data is often called online calibration. In this paper, how to evaluate whether the adaptive testing model used for online calibration fits the item response model used sufficiently is studied. Three approaches are investigated, based on a Lagrange multiplier…

This paper discusses the use of games, role playing, and simulation to teach English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) learners, particularly to reinforce new knowledge or expand emerging knowledge and skills. An introductory section looks at game theory and the ways in which it can inform the construction of classroom activities. Distinctions are made…

This report documents the construct validity and reliability of the Professional Development Inventory (PDI), an assessment center sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). The assessment center provides a means for assessing participants in situations simulating those confronted by principals on the job. The…

This book is a comprehensive and practical guide to the use of computers across a wide age range. Extensive use is made of photographs, illustrations, cartoons, and samples of children's work to demonstrate the versatility of computer use in schools. An introduction by Rob Crompton placing computer use within the educational context of the United…

This simulation exercise is designed to provide students at the intermediate and secondary education levels with an experimental or discovery exercise in cross cultural relations. The simulation is designed to be a part of a more extensive study of cultural perceptions and can be used in an exploration or one's own community as well as in more…

This paper argues that Merrill's instructional transaction theory provides a framework that can decrease learners' problems in using computer simulations by specifying transaction shells rather than frames in designing interactive courseware. The three types of data used in a transaction, i.e., an instructional algorithm, are identified as a…

To help Hispanic Americans wishing to enroll in the Santa Ana (California) Police Department, this paper presents an Advancement of Ethnic Representation Opportunities (AERO) Police Success Communication Skills Competency Based lesson that focuses on expressing ethical values during police oral interviews. After providing background information on…

This unit is designed to investigate the reasons for international trade and the issue of trade protectionism by focusing on the case study of the U.S. trade relationship with Taiwan. The unit begins with a simulation that highlights the concepts of global interdependence, the need for international trade, and the distribution of the world's…

Mock negotiations are used as part of an undergraduate course in international business management at Lebanon Valley College (Pennsylvania) in order to introduce students to the process of negotiating for advantage in foreign countries and to emphasize the importance of an individual nation's customs, culture, and ways of transacting business in…