A Monte Carlo study was conducted to investigate the robustness of the assumed error distribution in maximum likelihood estimation models for multidimensional scaling. Results show that violations of the assumed error distribution have virtually no effect on the estimated distance parameters. (SLD)

Crossroads to the World is an interdisciplinary, teacher-developed, technology-based project involving constructive learning that can be adapted to almost any social-studies curriculum. Beginning with literary models (like Whitman's "Song of the Open Road"), students use simulation software to generate ideas for their own simulated world…

Robustness of the school-level item response theoretic (IRT) model to violations of distributional assumptions was studied in a computer simulation. In situations where school-level precision might be acceptable for real school comparisons, expected a posteriori estimates of school ability were robust over a range of violations and conditions.…

A maximum likelihood approach to correlational outlier identification is introduced and compared to the Mahalanobis D squared and Comrey D statistics through Monte Carlo simulation. Identification performance depends on the nature of correlational outliers and the measure used, but the maximum likelihood approach is the most robust performance…

Explores aspects of conducting management simulations in a corporate environment, based on the experiences of a facilitator for 15 classes that used a total enterprise game. Observations regarding simulation value, team size and selection, number of sessions, the role of the facilitator, and model design are offered. (36 references) (MES)

Discusses four difficulties in teaching business communication: lack of shared organizational vision; lack of reality; class duration; and lack of direction in textbooks. Presents advantages and disadvantages of using a simulated organization to address these problems and to improve students' communication competence in various situations.…

Describes techniques for using computer-assisted instruction to help students of various ages and needs develop job-related skills. Topics addressed include classroom organization, beginning skills, shopping simulations, other simulations, deciphering signs, social skills, writing activities, and followup. (MES)

Asymptotic distributions of the estimators of communalities are derived for the maximum likelihood method in factor analysis. It is shown that equating the asymptotic standard error of the communality estimate to the unique variance estimate is not correct for the unstandardized case. Monte Carlo simulations illustrate the study. (SLD)

Effects of violating the independence assumption when combining correlation coefficients in a meta-analysis were studied. This Monte-Carlo simulation varied sample size, predictor number, population intercorrelation among predictors, and population correlation between predictors and criterion. Combining statistics from nonindependent data in a…

Discussion of clustering of documents and queries in information retrieval systems focuses on the use of a genetic algorithm to adapt subject descriptions so that documents become more effective in matching relevant queries. Various types of clustering are explained, and simulation experiments used to test the genetic algorithm are described. (27…

Describes virtual realities as environments in which visual, aural, or other stimuli generate in the mind of the user a sense of navigable, frameless, three-dimensional space, and predicts that the availability of computer technology to create real-time, three-dimensional graphics will bring radical changes in the educational use of visualization…

The algorithm developed by B. A. Schneider (1980) for analysis of paired comparisons of psychological intervals is replaced by one proposed by R. M. Johnson. Monte Carlo simulations of pairwise dissimilarities and pairwise conjoint effects show that Johnson's algorithm can provide good metric recovery. (SLD)

Describes the "Virtual Cities" project, a virtual reality satellite teleconference with students age 12 to 17 from Canada, Italy, and the United States held during the International Council for Educational Media 1992 conference. A visual database overlaid with instructional gaming strategies provided students with the opportunity to…

Teachers at all levels are encouraged to use role-playing and simulation. Unfortunately, teachers usually overestimate role-playing's learning value and often ascribe too much power to simple simulation activities. Teachers use these methods mainly to change behavior (and values), not reinforce curriculum content. Sociodramas (scenes based on…

Although teachers at all levels are encouraged to use role-playing and simulation, they usually overestimate role-playing's learning value. Teachers use these methods mainly to change behavior (and values), not reinforce curriculum content. Sociodramas (scenes based on typical situations facing children) are more effective role-playing activities…