The notion of buggy procedures has played an important role in recent cognitive models of mathematical skills. Some earlier work on student modeling used artificial intelligence methods to automatically construct buggy models of student behavior. An alternate approach, proposed here, draws on insights from the rapidly developing field of machine…

Queries 'n Theories provides a parallel to the strong inference approach to scientific method--designing experiments, observing data, and theorizing. (Author)

Dawson, Fairfax County/U.S.A. is a hypothetical community developed by the authors as a teaching aid for undergraduate and graduate courses in environmental engineering, providing a context for problem solving and role playing. It was contrived to provide students opportunities to: (1) identify important community relationships, (2) appreciate the…

Used a standardized simulation to identify problem-solving styles in mental health treatment planning tasks. Experienced counselors (N=34) and trainees (N=34) examined case files and wrote summaries and treatment plans for each case. Results showed problem-solving similarities for the outpatient case but differences for the inpatient case. (BH)

Used a standardized treatment planning simulation and a process tracing strategy to qualitatively examine how mental health clinicians (N=15) solved a typical client management problem. Results showed that respondents used descriptive rather than formal diagnostic terms and that strategies varied with training and experience. (LLL)

Discusses application of systems analysis to social and behavioral science as well as machine and non-machine systems. Presents rationale, principles, techniques, and advantages and disadvantages. (CJ)

The authors describe a simulation game for gifted children which involves three factions--government, business, and labor--who have to come to agreement on questions, contracts, and environmental controls. Sections outline pregame activities, statement of the problem, game objectives, the scenario, characters and their goals, procedures, and…

Discusses the use of the Guided Design teaching method to teach college-level Latin American geography. This method allows the analysis of spatial patterns and processes and critical-thinking skills. (AM)

Describes an experiment which used a computer simulation program to demonstrate that there are characteristic differences between experts and novices when they have to solve problems in complex situations. Tables of data and a list of six references are included. (LLS)

The development of anasynthesis--the process of analysis, synthesis, modeling, and simulation--as applied to decision making and problem solving in education and training is explored, and its future with regard to education is discussed. (RAO)

Describes a project that used simulation to help students improve human relations skills. Principles of human relations and skills important to interviewing, listening, interacting, speaking, and report writing were emphasized. (JOW)