The design and use of an instrument simulator is described. Used for student laboratory experiments illustrating the use of mini-computers, it can provide, at very low cost, a repetitive, repeatable output to duplicate the readout of various instruments such as electrochemical experiments, mass spectrometers, pulsed magnetic experiments,…

Defines and discusses the analog computer and its use in a physiology laboratory. Includes two examples: (1) The Respiratory Control Function and (2) CO-Two Control in the Respiratory System. Presents diagrams and mathematical models. (MA)

Secondary teachers can involve students in a mock trial based on a 1975 New Jersey Superior Court case involving "thermal pollution." Article provides teachers' instructions; background data for plaintiff, defense, and witnesses; debriefing questions; and capstone activity. Available from: Law in American Society Foundation, 33 North LaSalle…

Describes seven computer simulations of laboratory experiments that allow students to direct experiments, make observations, and record data. (MLH)

Describes a laboratory teaching method in which students are given a simulated research problem to solve in groups by planning and laboratory work. (MLH)

Suggested are activities using a Polaroid camera to illustrate the capabilities of remote sensing. Reading materials from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are suggested. Methods for (1) finding a camera's focal length, (2) calculating ground dimension photograph simulation, and (3) limiting size using film resolution are…

Trickshot! is an exploratory environment that allows learners to experiment with various physical properties to develop an intuitive understanding of the behavior of objects in physical systems. The software is geared to secondary students with little exposure to pool or physics. When used in conjunction with meaningful class activities, such an…

Discusses the computer as a communication medium to support learning. Illustrates the benefits of this reconceptualization in the context of having students author and play interactive simulation games and exchange them over the Internet. (RS)

Describes a pencil-and-paper examination procedure that simulates the use of the computer for the evaluation of student performance in graduate research methods courses. Using this simulation, the examination can be administered in regular classrooms without the availability of computers. Includes a copy of the midterm examination. (Author/PEN)

Presents a unit on chemical reaction kinetics that consists of a predemonstration activity, the demonstration, and a set of postdemonstration activities that help students transfer the concepts to actual chemical reactions. Simulates various aspects of chemical reaction kinetics. (JRH)

Type I error rates for the likelihood ratio test for detecting differential item functioning (DIF) were investigated using Monte Carlo simulations. Type I error rates for the two-parameter model were within theoretically expected values at each alpha level, but those for the three-parameter model were not. (SLD)

Examined whether differences in students' self-reported knowledge, cynicism, and political participation depended on whether their American government college course included a character-playing simulation involving members of Congress. Discusses research hypotheses and describes testing for immediate effects as well as after three years.…

Describes a study conducted in Israel that investigated whether the caregiver's awareness to the emotional experiences that toddlers undergo in the first days in kindergarten improves through a virtual reality simulation of a toddler's world. Explains the use of virtual reality technology to simulate a toddler's first few days' experiences in a…

Discusses computer assisted learning and simulation modeling from a United Kingdom perspective. Highlights include modeling with the DMS (Dynamic Modelling System); modeling with STELLA; learning and teaching simulation modeling; educational development roles for learning technologists; and a list of relevant Web sites. (Contains 52 references.)…