General guidelines are developed to assist practitioners in devising operational computerized adaptive testing systems based on the graded response model. The effects of the following major variables were examined: item pool size; stepsize used along the trait continuum until maximum likelihood estimation could be calculated; and stopping rule…

Describes a "hypothetical," a training technique based on a television panel game, in which participants engage in an imaginary scenario that raises issues of concern in adult education practice. Discusses its pertinence to adult learning, compares it to other strategies, and explains how to develop and run a hypothetical. (SK)

Provides a simulation based on Marco Polo's journey. Demonstrates the hardships of 13th century travel by presenting students with difficult choices under challenging and primitive environmental conditions. Includes suggestions for class activities prior to using the simulation. (LS)

Discusses the extent to which computers can understand natural language. Considers assertions that computers can be described as literate, and considers more generally the purpose of designing machines which perform like humans. (RS)

Develops models for participants' behaviors in games, simulations, and workshops based on Catastrophe Theory and Herzberg's two-factor theory of motivation. Examples are given of how these models can be used, both for describing and understanding the behaviors of individuals, and for eliciting insights into why participants behave as they do. (11…

Demonstrates the magnitude of an extinction event by using a simulation to illustrate the massive nature of the loss of a family and the number of species that perish to achieve that result. (RT)

Explores a method of combining convention and intention by representing conversation structure with conversation MOPs (schematic structures that store conversation rules as generalized episodes associated with goals the episodes achieved). Discusses how conversation MOPs process the opening portion of a dialogue in an interactive advice-giving…

Investigates the growing popularity of computerized economic modeling as a computer-assisted instructional aid and the associated educational benefits. Provides an overview of current modeling, simulation, and econometrics programs and attempts to identify trends in computer-assisted instruction in economics. (Author/GEA)

Describes a learning activity for clinical psychology classes in which theater arts students create the role of a client. Students are videotaped twice in an interview situation with the actor. Psychology students receive feedback from the instructor. Both actors and students report benefits from the experience. (KO)

The purpose of this study was to determine differences in learning outcomes of students taught computer applications through supervised laboratory instruction versus video simulation. No differences were observed for time required to complete an application, proper use of commands, or retention of the learned application. (Author)

Describes the application of case analysis to a learner-centered microcomputer-based instructional model. Topics discussed include the use of computer-based case analysis with adult students; case planning; and two sample cases, one a decision-making model and one a technical model. (21 references) (LRW)

It is suggested that using an unbiased estimate of the weight matrix may eliminate the small or intermediate sample size bias of the asymptotically distribution-free (ADF) test statistic. Results of simulations show that test statistics based on the biased estimator or the unbiased estimate are highly similar. (SLD)

Explored personal and situational sources of cooperation. Assessed MBA students' disposition to cooperate and randomly assigned them to simulated organizations emphasizing either collectivistic or individualistic cultural values. Coworkers rated cooperative subjects in collectivistic cultures as most cooperative. Cooperative people were most…

Provides commentaries on professional and personal experiences in the development of simulations in the study of international affairs. Describes the evolution in Simulated International Processes projects from a person-machine format to an all-computer simulation. Discusses work with the military, field work, teaching experiences, difficulties,…

Discusses selective fidelity in training devices, when trainers must choose to simulate only the stimuli that are truly necessary to perform a task. Examples of selective fidelity are described from military tactical training devices; and the future of selective fidelity is considered, including behavioral and cognitive research contributions.…