Instruction, like life, cannot always be planned, especially when teaching students the skills for interacting with real life situations and problems. (Author)

Telecom link is a structured design exercise concerned with building a telecommunications link between London and Amsterdam. Designed for A-level physics, the simulation requires a minimum of 10 hours. Aims of the exercise, design specifications and technical aspects, and summaries of four possible technologies used in the simulation are…

"Big Business" is a series of computer simulations designed to give players a chance to compete in the practical world of business and finance. The basic elements of the simulations and versions designed for home use, middle school students, and high school students are described. (Author/JN)

"Lemonade" is one in a series of simulations designed to permit exploration of elementary concepts in economics. The nature of the simulation, problem-solving skills fostered, and suggestions for use of the program in the classroom are discussed. (Author/JN)

A study examined the effectiveness of training simulated patients with self-instructional materials. A program of 8 videotapes and 10 sets of written materials was given to 54 trainees. Most felt their competence was increased, and trainers gave simulators with self-instruction higher ratings in evaluating students. (Author/MSE)

A physical diagnosis course is described that introduced an interviewing segment with patient simulation at a medical school where medical interviewing or communications skills were not in the required curriculum. Physicians' responsibility for the quality of the physician-patient relationships was stressed. (MSE)

Describes a simulated archaeological dig for a ninth-grade Canadian social studies class. Students role-play archaeological teams in 2180 AD who find well-preserved bags of "garbage." Students classify garbage artifacts, write reports hypothesizing about the households which produced them, and match the contents of their bags to…

Practicum instructors play a strategic role in assisting students gain competence essential to effective practice. A study comparing the effectiveness of traditional and experimental competency-based/task-centered practicum instruction methods is reported. Students taught under the latter method performed better overall and had more confidence in…

Describes interactive, computer-graphics program emulating behavior of high resolution, ultraviolet-visible analog recording spectrophotometer. Graphics terminal behaves as recording absorption spectrophotometer. Objective of the emulation is study of optimization of the instrument to yield accurate absorption spectra, including…

Program listing for a computer game on kinematics is provided. Documentation for the listing (in Microsoft BASIC) and rationale for using computer games in the classroom are also provided. (JN)

Issues that must be dealt with when training recreation managers about evaluation skills are discussed and training strategies, such as simulation and case studies, are explored. The importance of converting evaluation techniques and theory into useful daily practices is stressed, whether the training takes place in the classroom or in a staff…

Eight categories of software available for educational use (including tutorial, games, administrative utilities, and simulation) are described and the application of a microcomputer for hearing impaired secondary students at the Iowa School for the Deaf is detailed. Software selection criteria are considered. (CL)

A model of context effects in perception is applied to perception of letters. Perception results from excitatory and inhibitory interactions of detectors for visual features, letters, and words. The model produces facilitation for letters in pronounceable pseudowords as well as words and accounts for rule-governed performance without any rules.…

The Marshalltown (Iowa) High School offers a model program for mildly retarded students involving simulated work situations, individualized instruction, integration with regular classes, and involvement in a work/study program. (CL)

Introduces documentation and presentation guidelines of the Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE) for authors of games, simulations, and other activities suitable for an organizer or facilitator to adopt or adapt for courses or workshops. (Author/LLS)