This article attempts to introduce the reader to computational thinking and solving problems involving randomness. The main technique being employed is the Monte Carlo method, using the freely available software "R for Statistical Computing." The author illustrates the computer simulation approach by focusing on several problems of…

The projects Xmath (Bringslid and Canessa, 2002) and dMath (Bringslid, de la Villa and Rodriguez, 2007) were supported by the European Commission in the so called Minerva Action (Xmath) and The Leonardo da Vinci programme (dMath). The Xmath eBook (Bringslid, 2006) includes algorithms into a wide range of undergraduate mathematical issues embedded…

This paper explores the use of simulations in virtual reality to teach students the fundamental processes behind retailing and product development. The project described involved one class of students who developed their own clothing lines of "virtual merchandise." A second class of students then "purchased" the wholesale…

"Gedankensimulation" is a term adapted from Einstein's "thought experiments" to indicate mentally created simulations that can help conceptualize ideas. Presents seven examples of simulations that can be utilized to solve problems or illustrate concepts in probability and statistics. Problem contexts include games of chance,…

A British project in engineering science is described. Computer assisted instruction packages are being developed to provide students with experience with models or systems of models related to lecture material on electrical, electronic, nuclear, and mechanical engineering. (SD)

This document describes an attempt to design a non-traditional course in which the analog computer plays a central role as a pedagogical tool. A brief introduction cites some justification for a course of this type. Various facets of the course such as the general procedure, the special materials prepared, and the methodology employed are…

A Statistical Experiment Simulator (STEXSIM) has been developed which permits one to stimulate on a digital computer a wide range of experimental environments. As a teaching aid in applied statistics, it provides a means for an instructor to define a completely crossed factorial model with up to seven fixed or random main effects, three two-factor…

By using a computer to simulate experimental situations, engineering laboratory courses can provide more ambitious experiments as well as experiments demanding more calculations. (SD)

The d'Arbeloff Interactive Mathematics Project or d'AIMP is an initiative that seeks to enhance and ultimately transform the teaching and learning of introductory mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A result of this project is a suite of "mathlets," a carefully developed set of dynamic computer applets for use in the…

Described is a Monte-Carlo method for modeling physical systems with a computer. Also discussed are ways to incorporate Monte-Carlo simulation techniques for introductory science and mathematics teaching and also for enriching computer and simulation courses. (RH)

This paper extends work on the construction of instructional modules that use graphical and simulation techniques for teaching statistical concepts (Marasinghe, et al. 1996; Iversen and Marasinghe 2001). These modules consist of two components: a software part and a lesson part. A computer program written in LISP-STAT with a highly interactive…

This paper, prepared for a symposium on the interface of computer sciences and statistics, addresses the use of computers in the teaching of statistics. Two principle means of integrating the fields of computer science education with education in statistics are identified: (1) integrating the content of statistics in courses on computers, and (2)…

Describes the use of simulation to introduce the bootstrapping technique of creating confidence intervals for the mean, median, and variance. These bootstrap confidence intervals are compared to the traditional confidence intervals for the purpose of analyzing accuracy of the technique. A Minitab program to produce confidence intervals is…

Over the last 20 years, a small independent college and conservatory of music has experienced outstanding results in the use of a minicomputer system with local area networking for students in nontechnological disciplines. A descripton of these activities (including faculty development) is provided. (JN)