Understanding is discussed with reference to an agent-action-objective model. The formalism developed controls the processes of differentiation and integration underlying understanding. The starting point is a culturally agreed-upon expectancy or prescription that defines a particular form of understanding. Central to an investigation of how…

The effects of correlated dimensions on parameter estimation were assessed, using a two-dimensional item response theory model. Past research has shown the inadequacies of the unidimensional analysis of multidimensional item response data. However, few studies have reported multidimensional analysis of multidimensional data, and, in those using…

This paper describes the acquisition of basic economic concepts by two fifth-grade classes in an elementary school through the use of a school store. The paper contains: (1) a review of the literature relating to economics education and the use of simulations; (2) a discussion of two teachers' approaches to teaching economic concepts; and (3) a…

This report summarizes transfer of training methodologies, beginning with a discussion that defines simulators, fidelity, and realism, and briefly reviews simulator use in training. Two types of training are identified--training for system operation and training for maintenance (troubleshooting). An outline categorizes current research issues on…

This report documents a computer-based gaming system for assessing recognition performance (RECOG). The game management system is programmed in a modular manner to: instruct the student on how to play the game, retrieve and display individual images, keep track of how well individuals play and provide them feedback, and link these components by…

This paper reviews work on the representation of knowledge from within psychology and artificial intelligence. The work covers the nature of representation, the distinction between the represented world and the representing world, and significant issues concerned with propositional, analogical, and superpositional representations. Specific topics…

Two order theoretic techniques were presented and compared. Ordering theory of Krus and Bart (1974) and an extended Takeya's item relational structure analysis (IRS) by Tatsuoka and Tatsuoka (1981) were used to extract the hierarchical item structure from three datasets. Directed graphs were constructed and both methods were assessed as to how…

Fiscal and monetary policies taught in macroeconomic principles courses are concepts that might require both lecture and simulation methods. The simulation models, which apply the principles gleened from comparative statistics to a dynamic world, may give students an appreciation for the problems facing policy makers. This paper is a report of a…

Canonical correlation analysis is a powerful statistical method subsuming other parametric significance tests as special cases, and which can often best honor the complex reality to which most researchers wish to generalize. However, it has been suggested that the canonical correlation coefficient is positively biased. A Monte Carlo study…

This description of the Structure-Mapping Engine (SME), a flexible, cognitive simulation program for studying analogical processing which is based on Gentner's Structure-Mapping theory of analogy, points out that the SME provides a "tool kit" for constructing matching algorithms consistent with this theory. This report provides: (1) a…

Microcomputers can be used with simulation software to provide students both with experience in the "real world" of decision making and feedback on the decisions made. Such software allows individual students to choose the roles they wish to play from a menu of diverse roles and provides alternatives for them to consider for each decision to be…

The focus of this guide is to simulate real world economic activity in the classroom by using a form of economics instruction called a " mini-economy." In a mini-economy, students earn play money in a variety of ways and spend it at a class store or class auction. Students apply for classroom jobs, run businesses, pay taxes, buy rental…

A description is given of the Classroom Management Decision Point Series, a training tool that provides an opportunity for teachers to practice making decisions concerning incidents in elementary and secondary classrooms. This tool may be used in workshop groups or placed in a media center for students to complete the decision making response…

Modern aircrew training devices (ATDs) are equipped with sophisticated hardware and software capabilities, known as advanced instructional features (AIFs), that permit a simulator instructor to prepare briefings, manage training, vary task difficulty/fidelity, monitor performance, and provide feedback for flight simulation training missions. The…

A classroom business venture (CBV), one component of the Human Resources School's career development program for physically disabled fifth, sixth, and seventh graders, is described. A CBV is defined as a simulated business situation where students, with teacher guidance, plan and organize the operation toward the eventual goal of distribution of…