Presents the theory behind the mechanics demonstration that involves projecting a ball vertically upward from a ballistic cart moving along an inclined plane. The measured overshoot is believed to be due, in part, to the presence of rolling friction and the inertial properties of the cart wheels. (JRH)

Describes the use of a spreadsheet in running a hands-on prey/predator simulation that enables students to see the effect of selection pressure on one allele in a gene pool. Discusses setting up and running the simulation, class discussion issues, exploring assumptions, and extensions. (JRH)

The accuracy of four empirical techniques to estimate shrinkage in multiple regression was studied through Monte Carlo simulation. None of the techniques provided unbiased estimates of the population squared multiple correlation coefficient, but the normalized jackknife and bootstrap techniques demonstrated marginally acceptable performance with…

Large-sample standard errors of linear equating for the counterbalanced design are derived using the general delta method. Computer simulations found that standard errors derived without the normality assumption were more accurate than those derived with the normality assumption in a large sample with moderately skewed score distributions. (SLD)

Public high school students with deafness vividly learned about the realities of discrimination when they were informed of "new rules for deaf students," which required that they wear "deaf badges" in school, follow a strict dress code, and so on. After the "new rules" hoax was revealed, students' feelings and reactions to the situation were…

Explores the relationship between virtual reality (VR) stimulation and perceptual equivalence. Topics include perceived realism; creating a virtual illusion; displayed realism; and VR as an instructional technology. (Author/AEF)

A Monte Carlo study considers the use of meta analysis with the Solomon four-group design. Experiment-wise Type I error properties and the relative power properties of Stouffer's Z in the Solomon four-group design are explored. Obstacles to conducting meta analysis in the Solomon design are discussed. (SLD)

The Shortlist model is presented, which incorporates the desirable properties of earlier models of back-propagation networks with recurrent connections that successfully model many aspects of human spoken word recognition. The new model is entirely bottom-up and can readily perform simulations with vocabularies of tens of thousands of words. (DR)

Examples of two theory-based computerized learning systems--Smithtown and Sherlock--show that most success arises when learning tasks are well structured. Such systems teach procedural rather than conceptual knowledge and support individualized learning better than group learning. (SK)

Through simulation, the power of the U3 statistic was compared with the power of one of the simplest person-fit statistics, the sum of the number of Guttman errors. In most cases, a weighted version of the latter statistic performed as well as the U3 statistic. (SLD)

Discussion of games and game-like exercises developed by the author at the University of Michigan focuses on the relationship between theory and practice in education. Highlights include simulation games, metaphoric games, literal games, and puzzle-based games. (LRW)

Reviews the literature on debriefing and identifies the essential elements and phases of the debriefing process. A model for systematic assessment of debriefing is presented which consists of five sets of questions that focus on learning objectives, situational constraints, the debriefing strategy, implementation of the strategy, and the…

The participation of the hippocampus in classical conditioning is described in terms of a multilayer network portraying stimulus configuration. A model of hippocampal function is presented, and computer simulations are used to study neural activity in the various brain areas mapped according to the model. (SLD)

Provides brief descriptions of interactive tutorial and simulation programs for reading, writing, and mathematics; and of drill-and-practice courseware packages. (DMM)

Describes an empirical exploration of the instructional potential of virtual reality as an interface for simulation-based training. Shows that subjects learned spatial-procedural and spatial-navigational skills in virtual reality. (SR)