There are a number of areas in psychology where an electronic spreadsheet simulator can be used to study and explore functional relationships among a number of parameters. For example, when dealing with sensation, perception, and pattern recognition, it is sometimes desirable for students to understand both the basic neurophysiology and the…

The attractive features of various strategies for resolving a simulated commons dilemma (a paradox in which a long-term benefit requires the individual to forego immediate gain) were determined in conditions where 40 groups of college age participants (total number = 136) were acting as a world policy making body or local advisory group when there…

This Digest points out characteristics of quality computer software for children, describes different kinds of software, and suggests ways to get software for preview. The need to consider the purpose for which the software is to be used and the degree to which the software meets its stated goals is noted. Desirable software characteristics and…

This report is the first of two volumes which document the Instructor Support Feature (ISF) Guidelines for aircrew training. Designed to provide a communication vehicle among personnel involved in the acquisition process for new aircrew training devices (ATDs), these guidelines focus on the development of specifications for the instructional…

Noting that few scholars have examined specifically how technology is affecting basic communication processes, students in interpersonal, small group, and advanced presentational forms classes studied the systems model of interpersonal communication. The systems model described by P. Emmert and W.C. Donaghy includes the following components:…

Literature on classroom drama suggests that there is considerable untapped potential for using drama as a teaching method in the English classroom. Studies have shown that high school students using dramatic enactment experienced more instances of higher order thinking, more topic-specific emotions, decreased apprehension, and less…

This paper describes the highlights of a review of both commercially available videodiscs and research prototypes that was undertaken for the Interactive Videodisc Project, and sets out design principles suggested by the best examples, which take advantage of the unique characteristics of laser videodisc technology. Design options on three levels…

This paper describes the use of video to provide a screenplay depiction of a proposed artificial intelligence software system. Advantages of such use are identified: (1) the video can be used to provide a clear conceptualization of the proposed system; (2) it can illustrate abstract technical concepts; (3) it can simulate the functions of the…

This paper discusses the styles of computer-based learning and computer-based training in terms of their fundamental characteristics, including balance of control between program and learner, and the kinds of learning activity they induce. Learning and training are not considered to be intrinsically different in practice, and styles such as…

The research and development project demonstrated the viability of a simulated training system to address training issues related to three-dimensional air intercept tactics and geometry, and resulted in the production of two videotapes for use in the United States Air Force Interceptor Weapons School. An introduction discusses the overall…

This project was designed to construct a single theoretical framework for the analysis of problem solving and real time "attention and performance" behavior. The model was developed as a computer program. It was designed in a similar manner to that of various problem solving simulations that use the "production system"…

A description of a joint class simulation in trade policy undertaken by an international economics class and a political science class at Davidson College (Pennsylvania) is presented in three sections. Section I describes the structure of the simulation. Students were divided into groups of United States auto manufacturers, the United Auto…

The purpose of this study is to determine an efficient way to reduce the bias in estimates of the Rasch model parameters due to aberrant response patterns. First, the benefits of using one- or two-sided goodness-of-fit tests of patterns with the model are discussed. Then, the consequences of removing non-fitting patterns from Rasch model data are…

The theoretical differences between the traditional definition of dimensionality and the more recently defined notion of essential dimensionality are presented. Monte Carlo simulations are used to demonstrate the utility of W. F. Stout's procedure to assess the essential unidimensionality of the latent space underlying a set of terms. The…

Many companies using Statistical Process Control (SPC) in their manufacturing processes have found that, despite the training difficulties presented by the technique, the rewards of successful SPC include increased productivity, quality, and market leadership. The Ford Motor Company has developed its SPC training with interactive video, which…