Evolution is at the center of the biological sciences and is therefore a required topic for virtually every college biology student. Over the past year, the authors have been building a new simulation software package called EvoBeaker to teach college-level evolutionary biology through simulated experiments. They have built both micro and…

Disturbance-generated biomass results from endogenous and exogenous natural and cultural disturbances that affect the health and productivity of forest ecosystems. These disturbances can create large quantities of plant biomass on predictable cycles. A systems analysis model has been developed to quantify aspects of system capacities (harvest,…

Multimedia educational software is often a glitzy version of old technology. Some educational software has become better as developers began to ask, "In what ways can the computer facilitate learning, that were not possible before?" One answer to this question is: provide a simulated environment for the learner to interact with. For multimedia to…

The objective of this paper is to design a train of tubular reactors that use a methane feed to produce hydrogen of the desired purity so that it can be utilized by a fuel cell for automotive applications. Reaction engineering principles, which are typically covered at the undergraduate level, are utilized to design this reactor train. It is shown…

Describes an oxygen transport model computer program (written in Applesoft BASIC) which uses such variables as amount of time lapse from beginning of the simulation, arterial blood oxygen concentration, alveolar oxygen pressure, and venous blood oxygen concentration and pressure. Includes information on obtaining the program and its documentation.…

Describes a program which simulates animal pharmacology experiments involving "all-or-none" responses. Use of the Applesoft BASIC program in the pharmacology teaching laboratory provides students with a rapid and economical way to gain experience in the design and statistical analysis of quantal dose-response experiments. Information on…

RESPSYST is a computer program (written in BASICA and using MS-DOS/PC-DOS microcomputers) incorporating more than 20 of the factors that determine gas transport by the cardio-respiratory system. The five-part program discusses most of these factors, provides several question/answer sections, and relies heavily on graphics to demonstrate…

Examines what is currently being done in Israel related to software development, discussing: (1) TOAM (a Hebrew acronym for "drill and parctice with the Help of the Computer, an elementary arithmetic program; (2) MENTOR (an authoring language); and (3) a role playing simulation. (JN)

A computer program and simulations that can be used to help college economics students understand dynamic economic processes are described. (RM)

Discusses the use of computer adventure games and simulations to teach children critical thinking. Provides lists of mid-elementary to adult-level adventure games (with manufacturer and current price) and software helpful in teaching critical thinking (indicating name of package, manufacturer, age level, and current price for each entry). (JN)

Describes a computer program (for the IBM microcomputer) which simulates pulsatile events in the heart in time frames that approach the speed of physiological events. The program also simulates the experimental laboratory in which the mechanics of an isolated heart can be studied. (Author/JN)

Two computer programs that simulate the multiplier and accelerator processes are described. The simulations can be used in college-level economics classes or by pupils using their own personal computers at home. Very little knowledge of programing is required to implement the simulations. (Author/RM)

Suggests educators who are not yet computer literate choose an alternative focus by learning to evaluate software and determine its potential for use in specific educational settings. Questions which should be asked when reviewing software on appropriate use, content, and characteristics are presented, along with a software evaluation checklist…

Describes an experiment which allows students to identify the nature of the time-course for chymotrypsin and to obtain mechanistic information on the two kinetic phases in terms of their concentration dependence. Also describes the computer simulation (available from the author) used in the experiment. (JN)

Presents two short microcomputer programs which illustrate features of nonlinear dynamics, including steady states, periodic oscillations, period doubling, and chaos. Logistic maps are explained, inclusion in undergraduate chemistry and physics courses to teach nonlinear equations is discussed, and applications in social and biological sciences…