In this article, we present a study focused on developing students' understanding of the ecology through participation in a technology-supported urban planning simulation--specifically, 11 high school students in Madison, Wisconsin acted as urban planners to redesign a local shopping street using a Geographic Information System (GIS) model. This…

Several studies have examined realism and instructional effectiveness of physical simulations. However, very few have touched on the question of their credibility or verisimilitude, from the user's point of view. This article presents an empirical exploratory study which investigated the perceptions of potential users of a simulation-based virtual…

This study investigated place location learning from a simulated environmental exploration experience in terms of two variables: gender (both cognitive and affective effects) and presence and/or type of accompanying map. Subjects were 120 fourth and fifth grade students, who were randomly selected and assigned after stratification on gender. The…

A research program was undertaken to study the functional learning environment (FLE) in which computers operate, i.e., those environments in which learning activities have a function or purpose from the child's viewpoint. Results of three projects illustrate the importance of teachers in creating and interpreting children's learning environments.…

This study ascertained whether or not computer assisted instruction (CAI) enhanced the quality of the educational experience and resulted in increased learning. The study involved the teaching of a 3-week instructional unit on population genetics and evolutionary processes to advanced placement biology students. The control group (N=38) received…

This paper compares the impact of lecture plus a computer simulation and lecture alone on a broad range of measures, such as students' attitudes, attendance, learning, and information seeking behavior. Results showed that in order to maximize the positive effects, the simulation should be implemented as early in the course as possible. (Author/JAZ)

Describes study that examined the relationship between computer anxiety and the use of psychology courseware in an undergraduate abnormal psychology class using four computerized case simulations. Comparisons of pretest and posttest computer anxiety measures are described, and the relationship between computer anxiety/attitudes and computer use is…

Describes the design and development of a computer simulation and accompanying software to teach the scaleup of chemical processes to chemical engineering students at Penn State. Collaboration on the instructional development team is described, software modules are explained, and students' evaluations of the system are reported. (LRW)

Reports on a study of the effects of computer-simulated experiments (CSE), problem solving, and conventional approaches on high school students' chemistry achievement, science process skills, and attitudes toward chemistry. Testing indicated CSE and problem solving produced greater achievement in chemistry and science process skills. CSE produced…

Explains how a spreadsheet can be an effective modeling and simulation tool for studying electrical circuits. Highlights include Kirchoff's rules and matrices algebra; a pilot experiment with preservice teacher education students in a physics class; the teacher's role; student attitudes; curricular aspects; and the effectiveness of the spreadsheet…

Several types of physics activities that use real-world problems to motivate learners, use computers to assist in developing conceptual understandings, connect problem situations to mathematical models, and use the models to analyze other real-world problems are presented. The topics of racing sports, sailing, and damped harmonic oscillations are…

Contemporary culture exhibits an increasingly polarized spectrum of attitudes toward virtualization: those who want photorealism and those who seek sheer fantasy. This author describes "Virtual Realism," his strategy for balancing the two social forces. His students at California's Art Center College of Design are putting it to the test.…

Reports on the use of a computerized simulation integrated within a preservice methods course for early-childhood majors. Compares the difference in response to importance, knowledge, and attitude related to computer utilization in the course between the computer-simulation group and a control group taught by traditional means. (Author/LRW)

"VizClass" is a university classroom environment designed to offer students in computer graphics and engineering courses up-to-date visualization technologies. Three digital whiteboards and a three-dimensional stereoscopic display provide complementary display surfaces. Input devices include touchscreens on the digital whiteboards, remote…

For the thirty-sixth year, the Research and Theory Division of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) is sponsoring the publication of these Proceedings. Papers published in this volume were presented at the annual AECT Convention in Anaheim, California. The Proceedings of AECT's Convention are published in two…