Presents activities to familiarize junior high school students with the processes behind and reasons for volcanism, which is generally a planet's way of releasing excessive internal heat and pressure. Students participate in the creation of four important volcano-related simulations: a lava flow, a shield volcano, a cinder-cone volcano, and a…

A computer program was used to simulate a case presentation in pharmacotherapeutics. Students (n=24) used their knowledge of the disease (glaucoma) and various topical agents on the computer program's formulary to "treat" the patient. Comparison of results with a control group found the method as effective as traditional case…

Some of the problems of intercultural understanding involved with exchange programs like the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) are addressed. "Kleinstadtgesprache" is a three-step project that systematically integrates the GAPP exchange into the German classroom curriculum. (21 references) (Author/LB)

Described is a project where students gain experience in handling large volumes of hazardous materials, process start up and shut down, equipment failures, operational variations, scaling up, equipment cleaning, and run-time scheduling while working in a modern pilot plant. Included are the system design, experimental procedures, and results. (KR)

Six case studies were conducted on the use of business games and simulations in higher education. Results showed that cognitive learning was greatly affected by particular approaches of students; competitiveness tends to have a negative effect on cognitive gains; and learning is enhanced by advance briefing and tutor involvement during the game.…

Describes an activity in which students investigate the effects of selected natural and synthetic substances on the rate of apple browning. Includes background information for the teacher, a list of necessary materials, and student instructions. (KR)

Presents a method for simulating the behavior and perceptual deficits demonstrated by patients who have undergone the split brain surgical procedure. Presents several activities in which two volunteers are required to accomplish certain tasks as one person. Suggests that these activities show how split brain patients illustrate certain lateralized…

Discussion of communication between designers and users of information systems focuses on a review of seven participatory design techniques in terms of the communication dimensions found in the Lievrouw and Finn communication systems model. Implications for the development of more effective and appropriate design models and methods are suggested.…

Provides background information as an introduction to three articles on command and control simulations that involve police and fire departments. Elements of command and control situations are discussed, including leadership, management of people and resources, communication, and coordination; the effectiveness of simulations is considered; and…

This article describes "Thinking Actively in a Social Context," a multiphase model to assist in the development of problem-solving courses based on student needs and experiences. An example of such an interdisciplinary course (simulating a new settlement on another planet) for high ability children in grades five, six, and seven is detailed. (DB)

Four mentally retarded adults received single case instruction, followed by general case instruction, on washing machine and dryer use, using either actual appliances or simulation. Generalization errors were affected by single/general case instruction, not by use of simulated versus natural conditions. General case simulation was more efficient…

Four children (ages 5-8) with tracheostomies were taught to self-administer a suctioning procedure via doll-centered simulations. Performance of all children improved as a function of training; skill maintenance was demonstrated during followup; and participants revealed high levels of satisfaction with outcomes. (Author/JDD)

Suggestions for teaching trial practice in law school curriculum are offered, including creating one's own trial problems; making students engage in careful, creative fact investigation; avoiding prepared presentations by witnesses; using surprise; thinking through the simulation's likely course in the classroom; and using first year students for…

Elementary performance tests and situational or simulation tests may be combined for comprehensive testing of open skills, i.e., a worker's competency in reacting to unpredictable situations. Elementary performance tests capture the professional skills whereas simulation tests retain realism and complexity and allow variation in responses.…

Estimating item parameters from a two-parameter normal ogive model is considered using Gibbs sampling to simulate draws from the joint posterior distribution of ability and item parameters. The method gives marginal posterior density estimates for any parameter of interest, as illustrated using data from a 33-item mathematics placement…