Wageningen Agricultural University's use of systems approaches and simulation for undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate education suggests the following elements are necessary: (1) congruence between the aims/interests of teachers and participants; (2) appropriate course level; (3) applicability to relevant research fields; and (4) a range of…

Studied the efficiency and robustness of alternative estimators of regression coefficients for three-level data. A simulation study shows that, as expected, the hierarchical model analyses produced more efficient point estimates than did analyses that ignored the covariance structure in the data, even when the normality assumption was violated.…

Reports on several simulation programs that can be used to teach the statistical foundations of thermal physics in introductory college physics courses. (Author/YDS)

Distinguishes the role of fidelity in learning from its role in assessment as a function of skill level. Suggests that the existence of an optimal point beyond which one additional unit of flight-simulator fidelity results in a diminished rate of practical assessment of nonexpert pilot performance. (Contains 33 references.) (Author/JOW)

Examined the effectiveness of the Sympson-Hetter technique and rotated content balancing relative to no exposure control and no content rotation conditions in a computerized adaptive testing system based on the partial credit model. Simulation results show the Sympson-Hetter technique can be used with minimal impact on measurement precision,…

Describes how a stock market simulation can be an excellent tool for motivating students to learn real-world mathematics in a middle school classroom. Details four activities that can accompany the simulation. (Contains 12 references.) (YDS)

Developed an EM type algorithm for maximum likelihood estimation of a general nonlinear structural equation model in which the E-step is completed by a Metropolis-Hastings algorithm. Illustrated the methodology with results from a simulation study and two real examples using data from previous studies. (SLD)

Traces the evolution of the corporate university, which combines traditional management tools with new learning process models, bridging strategic theory and real-time learning. Advocates the need for movement away from traditional cognitive paradigms, suggesting the use of image simulations and metamanagement thinking. (SK)

Human patient simulators are computerized mannequins that present patient scenarios in which nursing students learn to assess critical health incidents. Their use involves faculty time and commitment, maintenance and upgrading investment, and careful scenario preparation. (Contains 20 references.) (SK)

Asserts that intensive family simulation provides a bridge between classroom role plays and supervised practicums in family-therapy training. Presents such a simulation method and describes specific techniques in three distinct phases of intensive family simulation: family building, therapy simulation, and debriefing. (Author/NB)

Describes variation on role plays used in counselor education classes that teach lessons about the counseling process. (Author/CM)

Presents a model based on work by Schultz von Thun that helps to explain how to avoid misunderstandings in interpersonal communication. The model is then applied to interpersonal interactions in educational games, simulations, and workshops, and the insights it provides into how unnecessary and unintentional conflict may be avoided are discussed.…

Two independent replications of a sequence of simulations were conducted to aid in the diagnosis and interpretation of equating differences found between representative (random) and matched (nonrandom) samples for three commonly used conventional observed-score equating procedures and one item-response-theory-based equating procedure. (SLD)

Ball State University's New Venture Creation is a capstone course in which class sessions simulate workshops for understanding and analyzing business plans. Students present the resulting business proposals to a board of consultants and entrepreneurs, which evaluates them for feasibility. (SK)

Reviews the evolution of the journal "Simulation and Games" and examines the various topics addressed by contributors over the past 20 years. A history of gaming and simulation is given, and the results of a content analysis of all articles are provided. (LRW)