Discusses the nature and function of mental models, explains tools for exploratory and expressive learning, and describes a research program to be conducted in the United Kingdom for 10- to 16-year-olds that is designed to explore characteristics of students' mental models. Highlights include knowledge domains; software, including simulations; and…

Describes four IBM compatible flight simulator software packages: (1) "Falcon," air to air combat in an F-16 fighter; (2) "Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Trainer," test flight 14 different aircraft; (3) "Jet," air to air combat; and (4) "Flight Simulator," a realistic PC flight simulator program. (MVL)

Six procedures for combining sets of item response theory (IRT) item parameter estimates from different samples were evaluated using real and simulated response data. Results support use of covariance matrix-weighted averaging and a procedure using sample-size-weighted averaging of estimated item characteristic curves at the center of the ability…

Describes the design and development of a computer simulation and accompanying software to teach the scaleup of chemical processes to chemical engineering students at Penn State. Collaboration on the instructional development team is described, software modules are explained, and students' evaluations of the system are reported. (LRW)

Describes the use of the "Microsoft Flight Simulator" with Dutch students 12- to 16-years-old to apply mathematical knowledge to real-life situations. The use of an overhead projector for class flights is described; and student activities, including converting metric units and drawing maps of the landscape, are explained. (LRW)

Explored three modes of performance-based assessment: portfolios, portfolio-based simulations, and simulation exercises. Fifteen high school biology teachers completed 11 assessment activities. The primary finding is that performance-based assessments can be designed and administered, teachers can complete them, the assessment can be rated, and…

Describes the educational Quick Response (QR) Center developed at the Fashion Institute of Technology to enable students, faculty, and industry to bridge the technology learning gap between college and the workplace. QR is a working model of a Just-in-Time computer system that enables companies to produce and deliver finished goods just in time to…

This personal narrative traces the background of instructional gaming from 1958 to 1995. The advantages and disadvantages of gaming as a disciplined activity are considered. The evolution of professional organizations, related academic activity, the game design process, and the need for consistent use of terms are addressed. Contains 57…

Discussion of how visual analogies aid students' understanding of math and science focuses on new types of representations that use computers. Topics addressed include understanding and cognitive performance; the role of representations in understanding, including examples; evidence of instructional effectiveness of new representations; and…

Discussion of electronic publishing focuses on the four main purposes of media in general: communication, entertainment, motivation, and education. Highlights include electronic journals and books; hypertext; user control; computer graphics and animation; electronic games; virtual reality; multimedia; electronic performance support;…

Discussion of the portability of educational software for an international market focuses on international experiences with The Electronics Workbench, based on a study conducted at the University of Twente (Netherlands). The global importance of educational software portability is discussed, including economic motivations and implications for…

Investigates a complex aptitude treatment interaction (ATI) of intelligence and metacognitive skill as aptitudes with structuredness of learning environment as treatment, based on a study of undergraduates in simulation environments. Highlights include computer-assisted learning and experiential learning; ATIs and discovery learning; and learning…

Discussion of how we perceive meaning from graphics highlights a computer simulation model, UCIE (Understanding Cognitive Information Engineering), that simulates graphical perception. An empirical study is described that compared actual performance to UCIE predictions related to the amount of time required to answer a question in various…

Presents seven activity structures for Internet-based problem solving projects to aid teachers in designing effective educational telecomputing experiences that can be curriculum-based and adapted to learning needs and preferences of students. These projects include information searches; electronic process writing; sequential creations; parallel…

Presents a position paper of the Vermont State Technology Council regarding the development of information technology skills and knowledge. Essential skills are identified and linked to the Vermont Education Goals, including skills in word processing, databases, spreadsheets, telecommunications, visual-audio-output, computer simulations, desktop…