Reports on a comparative study of two fifth-grade classes (Louisville, Kentucky) whose members learned economic principles through the establishment of a classroom grocery store. Provides a review of the literature relating to economic education and simulations, discusses the actual classroom instruction, and describes the instrument used to…

"Honest Mistakes and the Exclusionary Rule" (D. Morris; J. Sullivan) outlines an activity designed to capture students' interest in drug search and seizure issues. "Drug Testing: Is It Constitutional?" (C. Hankins) presents a lesson which addresses these same issues by focusing discussion and role playing upon the…

Reviews the literature in order to determine the usefulness of simulation games in today's classroom. Examines those activities involving persons rather than technology and emphasizes their use in sociology. Describes simulation games through a series of questions concerning their nature and lists those games which have received positive reviews.…

Demonstrates how spreadsheets can be used in teaching basic microeconomic concepts. Presents use of spreadsheet models in studying revenue function, production function, cost information, and profit maximization theory. Discusses application in several simulated situations. Outlines step by step method for creating a spreadsheet graph. (KO)

Discussion of the use of simulations to teach international relations (IR) highlights the Chinese House Game, a computer-based decision-making game based on Inter Nation Simulation (INS). Topics discussed include the increasing role of artificial intelligence in IR simulations, multi-disciplinary approaches, and the direction of IR as a…

The article describes a two-week summer program at the University of South Florida to develop leadership skills in 80 high school and middle school students through development of student products confronting real issues, spending time with community leaders, community action projects, committee work, and simulation games. (DB)

A study compared the effectiveness of two methods of teaching clinical breast examination: standardized teaching from family medicine faculty or well women teachers (n=54 first-year students) and unstandardized teaching during clinical rotations (n=70 second-year students). The standardized-teaching group had more consistent techniques, higher…

Computer simulation with artificial intelligence and discovery learning was used by 31 industrial technology students. Compared to 27 controls, simulation enabled students to recognize applications of new technology and the knowledge and skills needed. No differences appeared in field dependence/independence, so recognition was not a function of…

Discusses the development of an abstract model for hypermedia test guides. The model uses an object-oriented approach and is built on the declarative foundation of first-order logic. This method produces a model that is easy to construct and extends to cover new media technology. (Contains 27 references.) (JLB)

Discussion of how to teach thinking and problem-solving skills focuses on a study of seventh graders that attempted to convey expertlike behavior using LEGOLogo to explain how a washing machine operates. Topics addressed include concept representation and mental models; cognitive apprenticeship; and LEGOTClogo as a learning environment. (Contains…

Simulated data were used to investigate the performance of modified versions of the Mantel-Haenszel method of differential item functioning (DIF) analysis in computerized adaptive tests (CAT). Results indicate that CAT-based DIF procedures perform well and support the use of item response theory-based matching variables in DIF analysis. (SLD)

A text production model is considered as an instrument for researching the writing strategies of abstractors. Within this framework, abstracting is a subtype of the writer's activities, which are described in terms of text actions. A computer system can be constructed that evaluates and/or supports human text production. (Author/AEF)

Investigated a microcomputer-based system for the diagnosis and remediation of three Aristotelian alternative conceptions of force and motion held by eighth-grade physical science students. Reports that computer simulations exemplifying canonical conceptions facilitate alteration of students' naive conceptions to a significant degree. Suggests…

This article describes a functional mathematics activity to help secondary students with mild disabilities develop critical thinking, calculation, and reasoning skills by evaluating the "rent-to-own" option for furnishing an apartment. Suggestions address needed materials, prerequisite skills, procedures, sample worksheets, and modifications. (DB)

In a simulation, the lesioning of a connectionist model that maps orthographic inputs onto semantic features produces several counterintuitive behaviors that are also shown by acquired-dyslexic patients. The similarity strengthens the suggestion that the connectionist approach captures a key aspect of human cognitive processing. (SLD)