This paper will undertake a critical review of the impact of virtual reality tools on the teaching of history. Virtual reality is useful in several different ways. History educators, elementary and secondary school teachers and professors, can all profit from the digital environment. Challenges arise quickly however. Virtual reality technologies…

With their realistic animation, complex scenarios and impressive interactivity, computer simulation games might be able to provide context-rich, cognitively engaging virtual environments for language learning. However, simulation games designed for L2 learners are in short supply. As an alternative, could games designed for the mass-market be…

Students benefit from collaborative learning activities, but they do not automatically reach desired learning outcomes when working together (Fischer, Kollar, Mandl, & Haake, 2007; King, 2007). Learners need instructional support to increase the quality of collaborative processes and individual learning outcomes. The core challenge is to find…

Background: In the 1990s, Salmon developed a five-stage model for enabling and scaffolding remote groups to work and learn together using asynchronous bulletin boards. The model has informed online learning and development practice across different levels and education for online and blended learning. Purpose: This paper reports our testing of the…

Virtual worlds have been linked with e-learning applications to create virtual learning environments (VLEs) for the past decade. However, while they can support many educational activities that extend both traditional on-campus teaching and distance learning, they are used primarily for learning content generated and managed by instructors. With…

Growing science apathy at the K-12 education level represents an alarming development with potentially devastating consequences at individual, societal and economic levels. Technology has been incorporated in science education without fundamentally improving test scores or student attitudes. We claim the core of the problem is how technology is…

Humans draw on their stereotypic beliefs to make assumptions about others. Even though prior research has shown that individuals respond socially to media, there is little evidence with regards to learners stereotyping and categorizing pedagogical agents. This study investigated whether learners stereotype a pedagogical agent as being…

There is intense interest in computer games. A total of 65 percent of all American households play computer games, and sales of such games increased 22.9 percent last year. The average amount of game playing time was found to be 13.2 hours per week. The popularity and market success of games is evident from both the increased earnings from games,…

A way of identifying non-random patterns of effects on a group of individuals as a result of some intervention when a sample of participants is arrayed according to some indices of similarity is presented. The principle of proximal similarity and the concept of pattern matching provide the background for this effort. Major advantages are the…

Describes the disadvantages of using "canned" simulations as a part of an undergraduate economics course. Identifies four advantages of having students develop their own computer simulation models. Outlines the model-building process and displays a sample program. (JDH)

Describes a variety of computer software. The packages reviewed include a variety of simulations, a spread sheet, a printer driver and an alternative operating system for DBM.PCs and compatible programs. (BSR)

Four procedures are discussed for obtaining a confidence interval when answer-until-correct scoring is used in multiple choice tests. Simulated data show that the choice of procedure depends upon sample size. (GDC)

This article offers guidelines to assist simulation developers in maximizing the lifespan of their software products through structured designs and creative attempts at integrating their programs into standard courses. Current efforts to redesign PROJECT SIMULATION, a computer-assisted instructional software package for teaching methodology in…

Discusses a model that demonstrates the value of using computer simulation for planning in the management of a microcomputer resource laboratory. It allows a clear understanding of relationships between possible acquisition decisions and the ability of the laboratory to serve the needs of faculty and students effectively. (JOW)

Describes how electronic games can help students of varying abilities in building hypotheses and in designing and conducting experiments. Reviews two simulation programs and provides suggestions for classroom instruction. (ML)