Reviews the literature in order to determine the usefulness of simulation games in today's classroom. Examines those activities involving persons rather than technology and emphasizes their use in sociology. Describes simulation games through a series of questions concerning their nature and lists those games which have received positive reviews.…

Demonstrates how spreadsheets can be used in teaching basic microeconomic concepts. Presents use of spreadsheet models in studying revenue function, production function, cost information, and profit maximization theory. Discusses application in several simulated situations. Outlines step by step method for creating a spreadsheet graph. (KO)

Describes the use of the computer software "Graphs and Tracks" a tool for interactive computer instruction, in teaching one-dimensional kinematics concepts and connecting these concepts to their graphical representations. Provides ordering information. (JRH)

This paper on conducting teacher training workshops concerning the use of simulations with gifted students defines a simulation, explains why simulations are effective in helping gifted students to learn, describes how a simulation works, and outlines the steps in teaching simulation strategies. (JDD)

This paper describes the development and evolution of a modular pharmacy practice course that uses practitioners as role-model instructors in prepared and impromptu scenarios. The course reviews the top 200 drug products while introducing students to both community and institutional practice settings. Appendices include a summary of the…

Use of the global simulation method for second-language teaching, in which an entire community or environment such as a village is created for extended role playing, is discussed. Benefits, considerations, and specific techniques for creating the environment and designing a language curriculum are outlined. (12 references) (MSE)

Presents results of a study of whether simulation leads to improved understanding of economic concepts among fifth grade students. Reports that simulations were used in instructing 300 children in 10 classes in the southeastern United States. Concludes that the use of simulations and role-playing activities increased student performance in…

Simulation training and a prompt hierarchy were found to facilitate acquisition of clean intermittent self-catheterization skills by a four-year-old male with myelomeningocele. The child was first taught to perform catheterization on a doll, then on himself. Skills were clustered into three tasks of diapering, cleansing, and catheterization.…

Presents low-cost learning activities to help teach elementary students about the earth's magnetic field. One project has students make a model of the earth's magnetic field. Another has them experiment with magnetism. (SM)

A computer program that simulates the random evolution of a metabolic pathway is given. The program shows that natural selection preserves favorable traits if they occur in a specific sequence. (KR)

Describes computer simulation programs that take elementary and secondary students exploring. One has students act as Magellan commanding his ship to reinforce history, geography, decision-making, and resource management skills. Another has students use problem-solving skills to venture across oceans and find trading routes to the Orient. (SM)

A graphic, interactive software program that is suitable for teaching students about the measurement and ion dependence of cell membrane potentials is described. The hardware requirements, the aim of the program, how to use the program, other related programs, and its advantages over traditional methods are included. (KR)

Describes a unified case method for teaching professional writing wherein the writing assignments for a semester occurred within and were constrained and shaped by the context of one particular situation. Observes that students were more interested and enthusiastic about their assignments, and the work they produced was more successful. (NH)

Examines a preservice teacher education program designed to address multicultural understanding and awareness in school curriculum by developing students' knowledge and experience of others' attitudes and values. The author introduces the Heelotia cross-cultural simulation, describes its use and student opinions of the experience, and discusses…

This article uses a classroom Civil War exercise to illustrate how teachers can use fist-person characterization to communicate social history. It describes the benefits of first-person characterization for gifted students and outlines a seven-day schedule for a unit on the Civil War. (Contains references.) (CR)