Will video games change the way we learn? We argue here for a particular view of games--and of learning--as activities that are most powerful when they are personally meaningful, experiential, social, and epistemological all at the same time. From this perspective, we describe an approach to the design of learning environments that builds on the…

This document contains three papers on simulation from the SITE (Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education) 2001 conference. "Simulations in the Learning Cycle: A Case Study Involving 'Exploring the Nardoo'" (William M. Dwyer and Valesca E. Lopez) presents a study of middle school students using a CD-based simulation…

This paper discusses Virtual Enterprise (VE), a technology-driven business simulation program in which students conceive, create, and operate enterprises that utilize Web-based and other technologies to trade products and services around the world. The study examined the effects of VE on a learning community of at-risk students, defined as those…

The purpose of this study was to determine the procedural knowledge brought to, and created within, a pond ecology simulation by students. Environmental Decision Making (EDM) is an ecosystems modeling tool that allows users to pose their own problems and seek satisfying solutions. Of specific interest was the performance of biology majors who had…

When developing curriculum materials for new contexts, designers feed forward work from similar projects. This customization process must attend to various influences to determine how features from previous efforts will be emphasized and combined. This paper discusses resources and ideas that influenced the design of the RiverWeb Water Quality…

Traces the evolution of the Curry Teaching Simulations and their impact on preservice and experienced teachers during the past 16 years. Highlights include versatility in software; navigation; pedagogical assumptions, including transfer of learning; and research on training skills and on teaching patterns. (Author/LRW)

Investigates the impact of computer simulation on students' academic achievement and their mastery of science process skills with regard to their cognitive stages. Based on the computer simulation program "The Growth Curve of Microorganisms" which requires 10th grade biology students to use problem solving skills while simultaneously…

Discusses the use of the mathematics classroom for discovering the relationship among computers, mathematics, and real-world problems. Provides three probability problems and compares the results of three methods, actual trial, computer simulation, and mathematical solution. (YP)

Shows that graphs can reveal much about feedback systems that formula conceal, especially as microcomputers can provide complex graphs presented as animations and allow students to interact easily with them. Describes feedback systems, evolution of the system, and phase diagram. (YP)

Studies the pressure and energy of particles interacting through a Lennard-Jones potential and correlates thermodynamical properties with system structural characteristics. Analyzes the relationships between computer simulated data and the van der Waals equation. (YP)

Supercomputing is described in terms of computing power and abilities. The increase in availability of supercomputers for use in chemical calculations and modeling are reported. Efforts of the National Science Foundation and Cray Research are highlighted. (CW)

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…

A study investigated whether rotating three-dimensional objects using virtual reality would affect flexible thinking in 14 children (ages 8-11) with hearing impairments. Children played virtual 3-D Tetris individually, 15 minutes once weekly over 3 months. Before-and-after testing showed significantly improved flexible thinking in the experimental…

Discusses the needs, problems, advantages, disadvantages, and solutions in the use of new technologies in a specific context such as engineering education. Finds that lecturers in scientific subjects believe that the technical subjects benefit greatly from the ability to teach with technology, but logistical problems especially prevent the use of…

States that constructive thinking about variables seems to be a key to accelerated learning in science and that computer modeling can enable this. A taped sequence of a group in the exploratory use of a model reveals the potential of such activity. (Author/ASK)