A study of 10 public colleges in Alberta (Canada) examined the role of value judgments in presidential decision making. Data were drawn from surveys of 10 administrators and interviews with 4 concerning decision making in representative situations. Findings are presented concerning the types of decisions made, processes used in making them, and…

Describes experiences at the University of Glasgow (Scotland) with the use of simulation software in life sciences laboratories and discusses the results of evaluation procedures that included confidence logs, questionnaires, interviews, and grades. A table of statistical results relevant to confidence log comparisons and the postcourse…

Use of active learning techniques of role-playing and simulation in an industrial psychology course (n=29 students) is described and assessed. Subjective reports and objective assessments of knowledge retention indicate the approach was effective. The differential importance of active learning and passive learning (lecture) in the college…

Explores what kinds of calculus-related insights seem to typify calculus-related reasoning. Introduces "qualitative calculus" in which learning is focused on synthesis. Discusses the resemblance and difference between traditional calculus and qualitative calculus, advantages of learning qualitative calculus, and how understanding qualitative…

Proposes a teaching strategy to teach ecological concepts and terminology through the use of games and simulations. Includes examples from physiological ecology, population ecology, and ecosystem ecology. (Author/SOE)

A study investigated influence of gender on undergraduate students (n=119) involved in international business games. Females tended to view the simulation as less complex, have less cohesive group structures, and show less self-confidence than males. However, game performance measures showed no significant gender differences. Implications for…

Describes a simulation done by students in a Year 4 undergraduate physics laboratory course on pulse technology. The course objective was to provide students with experience in computation pulsed electrical circuits and in comparing the computation with experiments. Results showed that the microcomputer simulated experiments made for a more…

Synthesizes the results of three case studies of middle school classrooms in which computer and video materials were used to teach topics in earth and space sciences through interactive simulations. Describes specific instances in which common current practice is problematic. Makes suggestions regarding improved design principles for such…

Efficiency, precision, and concurrent validity of results from adaptive and fixed-item music listening tests were studied using: (1) 2,200 simulated examinees; (2) 204 live examinees; and (3) 172 live examinees. Results support the usefulness of adaptive tests for measuring skills that require aurally produced items. (SLD)

This study examined the effect of video-based contextualized advisement and competition on transfer of mathematics skills in a computer-based simulation game in which participants helped their "aunt and uncle" fix up a house. Participants were 123 seventh- and eighth-grade students. Results indicated an interaction between competition…

Described are several spreadsheet templates which use the functions of iteration and logical look-up which allow students to calculate and graph quantum mechanical functions and to simulate rotational and vibrational energy level and spectra. The templates are listed in the appendix. (KR)

In response to our technological society, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics recommends decreasing drill and reliance on multiple-choice tests and increasing problem solving and real-world applications. Other recommendations include simulation software to provide mathematical challenges, collaborative learning, and alternative…

The intent of an integrating laboratory was to help pharmacy students learn to solve problems, make decisions, and develop good communication skills. Educational units included exercises in guided design, patient profile review, patient inquiries, extemporaneous prescription compounding, clinical literature evaluation, and videotapes of simulated…

Discussion of the use of computer simulation for laboratory experiments in undergraduate engineering education focuses on work at the University of New South Wales in the instructional design and software development of a package simulating a heat exchange device. The importance of integrating theory, design, and experimentation is also discussed.…

Discusses the integration of videodisc technology into classrooms and presents criteria for evaluating the interactivity of videodiscs. Three levels of interactive videodiscs (IVD) are described, and a criteria checklist is included that evaluates skill development, simulation, feedback, the interaction of the student manual with the electronic…