A computer-assisted learning/teaching model is conceived with implications of constructivist theory and an analogy between the traditional art form Shuanghuang and the teaching/learning environment. The virtual character of the model interacts with the learner, in the form of human behavior and speech supported by recognition biometrics,…

Describes a congressional committee simulation used in an introductory U.S. politics course. Explains the simulation enabled students to discover how Congress operates. Discusses the outcomes of the simulation, student responses, and recommendations for using it in upper-level courses. Includes the personality descriptions for the commerce…

Describes a project in which the Rock Hill School District (Rock Hill, South Carolina) collaborated with a state museum and historic site, Historic Brattonsville (McConnells, South Carolina), to teach third-grade students about South Carolina history. Explains that the students spent a day in a schoolhouse to learn about the life of children in…

Describes a project for first-grade students at the Friends' Central School (Philadelphia, PA) founded by the Quakers in 1845, in which students learned about the experience of traveling westward during 1845. Explains that the project also focused on Quaker history; the school; and that the centerpiece of the project was a covered wagon. (CMK)

Describes a project involving the development, application, and evaluation of a virtual chemistry laboratory (VCL) that involves basic step-by-step laboratory procedures and simulates real laboratory activities. Presents the program in terms of tutorial, VCL, and evaluation, and a section that allows instructors to create their own tests. (KHR)

Explores ways in which 6-year-old children make sense of screen-based images on the computer. Uses both static and relatively dynamic software programs in the investigation. Suggests that young children should be exposed to activities that establish explicit links between 2D and 3D objects away from the computer before attempting difficult links…

Discussed is the history and elements of the personal computer. Its uses as a laboratory assistant and generic toolkit for mathematical analysis and modeling are included. The future of the personal computer in research is addressed. (KR)

Examines computer modeling of the reading process and the instructional technology of basals, the two pillars of Marilyn Adams text, "Beginning to Read: Thinking and Learning about Print." Explains why the author believes Adams is fundamentally wrong in her theoretical approach to reading instruction. (MG)

Reviewed are two computer software packages including "ATOMS-Atomic Structure Display," and "Desktop Molecular Modeller." Discussed are hardware, components, level, cost, strengths, weaknesses, and value for teaching. (CW)

A method is proposed for the detection of item bias with respect to observed or unobserved subgroups, using a loglinear item response theory model assuming a Rasch model for ability and difficulty. A simulation study was performed with 200 sets of data to check the robustness of the method. (SLD)

Attaining the insight needed to solve the Mutilated Checkerboard problem, which requires discovery of an effective problem representation (EPR), is described. Performance on insight problems can be predicted from the availability of generators and constraints in the search for an EPR. Data for 23 undergraduates were analyzed. (TJH)

Creating a "city" in the classroom can be an effective way to teach daily living skills in math, social studies, nutrition, energy conservation, and other subjects. Students can learn about jobs such as grocery story cashier and bank teller, and can learn about earning, spending, and saving money. (PB)

Assessment of student performance in nursing education takes many forms: (1) the Real Clinical Situation Model; (2) the Quasi-Clinical Situation Model; (3) the Clinical Laboratory Simulation Model; and (4) the Clinicam Video Simulation Model. The New York Regents External Degree Program has a highly developed method of examining the proficiency of…

Using a simulation of the constitutional procedures on appointment of U.S. Supreme Court justices, illustrates how the separation of powers established by the Constitution affects all three branches of government. Provides an outline of the simulation procedure, a lesson plan, and a brief bibliography. (LS)

Discusses the use of computer-illustrated texts to teach statistics at the college level. Microcomputer-based software that can be used in the areas of calculation, graphics, simulation, animation, and text presentation is described; and use of the software for lectures, laboratory use, and tutorials is discussed. (three references) (LRW)