Provides guidelines for performing and evaluating a simulation developed to teach business students how to conduct effective meetings and how to write memos in the realistic context. Includes handouts that guide students in performing the simulation. (SR)

Discusses fitting multivariate normal mixture distributions to structural equation modeling. The model used is a LISREL submodel that includes confirmatory factor and structural equation models. Two approaches to maximum likelihood estimation are used. A simulation study compares confidence intervals based on the observed information and…

Describes Science Technology and Society (STS) simulations that teach students about human experiences involving controversial issues. When students are taught using controversial and authentic issues, science instruction becomes current and engaging. (SAH)

Simulations demonstrate the effects of correlated errors on the person-by-occasion design in which the confounding effect of equal time intervals results in correlated error terms in the linear model. Two specific error correlation structures were examined. Conditions under which underestimation and overestimation occur are discussed. (SLD)

High school students (92 females, 127 males) using Krumboltz Job Experience Kits (occupational simulations) experienced 6 diverse jobs in random order and recorded reactions on the Perceived Congruency Questionnaire. Results supported Holland's hexagonal model, indicating that different personality types react to different jobs in accord with the…

The Rasch Poisson counts model is a latent trait model for the situation in which "K" tests are administered to "N" examinees and the test score is a count (repeated number of some event). A mixed model is presented that applies the EM algorithm and that can allow for missing data. (SLD)

Used Monte Carlo simulation to compare the relative measurement efficiency of polytomous modeling and dichotomous modeling under different scoring schemes and termination criteria. Results suggest that polytomous computerized adaptive testing (CAT) yields marginal gains over dichotomous CAT when termination criteria are more stringent. Discusses…

Developed a new classification method for the logistic regression (LR) procedure for differential item functioning (DIF) based on methods used in the Simultaneous Item Bias test and conducted a simulation study to determine if the effect size measure affects the Type I error and power rates for the LR DIF procedure. Results show that inclusion of…

In a simulation, a student team studied a real factory system and tested three work configurations. The partnership benefitted students and business, but the project underscored the need for careful coordination, assistance from company management and instructors, and a longer time frame than a semester. (SK)

Reports on the increasing use of virtual-reality devices at Pennsylvania State University's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and other institutions that allow medical residents to practice their skills in simulated operations. Notes that both students and professors are enthusiastic about the simulations but that the necessary technology and…

Discusses problems associated with organizational or technological change. Presents the results of learning experiments in experimentaria, rooms for experiments removed from the daily activities of an organization. Concludes that experimentaria seem to create a higher level of self-respect and respect for others' skills and knowledge as well as a…

Developed models to investigate the fit of parametric item response models by comparing them to models fitted under nonparametric assumptions. Illustrated these techniques through simulation studies and real-data examples. Discusses the identifiability and estimation consistency of item response theory models. (SLD)

Presents a new nonparametric method for constructing a spatial representation of multidimensional test structure, the Conditional Covariance-based SCALing (CCSCAL) method. Describes an index to measure the accuracy of the representation. Uses simulation and real-life data analyses to show that the method provides a suitable approximation to…

A workshop for Australian nursing students used simulation to impart information about illicit drug use and enhance nurses' ability to care for patients who use drugs. Simulations challenged attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes and expanded students' knowledge about health promotion and patient care. (Contains 18 references.) (SK)

In this paper, we present our experiences in using two automatic assessment tools, TRAKLA and TRAKLA2, in a second course of programming. In this course, 500-700 students have been enrolled annually during the period 1993-2004. The tools are specifically designed for assessing algorithm simulation exercises in which students simulate the working…