A study examined the effectiveness of training simulated patients with self-instructional materials. A program of 8 videotapes and 10 sets of written materials was given to 54 trainees. Most felt their competence was increased, and trainers gave simulators with self-instruction higher ratings in evaluating students. (Author/MSE)

A physical diagnosis course is described that introduced an interviewing segment with patient simulation at a medical school where medical interviewing or communications skills were not in the required curriculum. Physicians' responsibility for the quality of the physician-patient relationships was stressed. (MSE)

Describes a simulated archaeological dig for a ninth-grade Canadian social studies class. Students role-play archaeological teams in 2180 AD who find well-preserved bags of "garbage." Students classify garbage artifacts, write reports hypothesizing about the households which produced them, and match the contents of their bags to…

Practicum instructors play a strategic role in assisting students gain competence essential to effective practice. A study comparing the effectiveness of traditional and experimental competency-based/task-centered practicum instruction methods is reported. Students taught under the latter method performed better overall and had more confidence in…

Describes interactive, computer-graphics program emulating behavior of high resolution, ultraviolet-visible analog recording spectrophotometer. Graphics terminal behaves as recording absorption spectrophotometer. Objective of the emulation is study of optimization of the instrument to yield accurate absorption spectra, including…

Program listing for a computer game on kinematics is provided. Documentation for the listing (in Microsoft BASIC) and rationale for using computer games in the classroom are also provided. (JN)

Issues that must be dealt with when training recreation managers about evaluation skills are discussed and training strategies, such as simulation and case studies, are explored. The importance of converting evaluation techniques and theory into useful daily practices is stressed, whether the training takes place in the classroom or in a staff…

Eight categories of software available for educational use (including tutorial, games, administrative utilities, and simulation) are described and the application of a microcomputer for hearing impaired secondary students at the Iowa School for the Deaf is detailed. Software selection criteria are considered. (CL)

A model of context effects in perception is applied to perception of letters. Perception results from excitatory and inhibitory interactions of detectors for visual features, letters, and words. The model produces facilitation for letters in pronounceable pseudowords as well as words and accounts for rule-governed performance without any rules.…

The Marshalltown (Iowa) High School offers a model program for mildly retarded students involving simulated work situations, individualized instruction, integration with regular classes, and involvement in a work/study program. (CL)

Introduces documentation and presentation guidelines of the Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE) for authors of games, simulations, and other activities suitable for an organizer or facilitator to adopt or adapt for courses or workshops. (Author/LLS)

Describes the implementation, use, and evaluation of four different types of simulation-games for training geography teachers. Criteria for game selection, modifications, and methods for their integration into the curriculum are included. (AM)

After outlining the difficulties of teaching climatology within an undergraduate geography curriculum, the author describes and evaluates the use of a computer assisted simulation to model surface energy balance and the effects of land use changes on local climate. (AM)

Possible distortions in standardized test scores due to guessing, particularly in inner-city situations, are examined. A procedure is presented for estimating true knowledge levels from test scores. Results show scores are overstatements of subject mastery which means many programs are being planned and evaluated using inaccurate data. (Author/DWH)

This article argues that systems thinking transcends disciplinary boundaries and should be part of everyone's education. Stresses future importance of systems global models and their capacity for planning and decision making on a world scale. A tentative topic outline for a systems approach course at university level is proposed. (Author/SMB)