Two simulations designed to teach probability to middle-school age pupils are presented. The first simulates the one-on-one foul shot simulation in basketball; the second deals with collecting a set of six cereal box prizes by buying boxes containing one toy each. (MP)

Describes a one-dimensional model for an ideal gas to study development of disordered motion in Newtonian mechanics. A Monte Carlo procedure for simulation of the statistical ensemble of an ideal gas with fixed total energy is developed. Compares both approaches for a pseudoexperimental foundation of statistical mechanics. (Author/JN)

Describes the use of a microcomputer in studying a model experiment (Brownian particles colliding with thermal particles). A flow chart and program for the experiment are provided. Suggests that this experiment may foster a deepened understanding through mutual dialog between the student and computer. (SK)

A model for research on teacher effects in which the variance in student outcome post-test performance is attributed to pre-test perfomance; to separate construct domains of student, instructional, and teacher variables; and to interactions between variables in these three construct domains is presented and tested. (Author/JKS)

Studies the relationship between education level and probability of re-employment, using Labor Ministry data on 2,077 Finnish unemployed persons. Models of search theory predict that those with less than nine years of education and those with master's, licentiate, or doctor's degrees have the lowest re-employment probabilities. Unemployed persons…

Shows that the experiment of the ancient Greek mathematician and geographer, Eratosthenes, can be replicated and used to teach geographic concepts. Eratosthenes calculated the most accurate ancient measurement of earth based on fundamental mathematics concepts and earth-sun relations. Includes instructions, illustrations, graphs, and historical…

Explains that primitive living structures furnish real-world problems that are solvable using mathematics and computer-modeling techniques. (KHR)

Discusses the parallels between Klein's position at the forefront of a movement to reform mathematics education and that of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' (NCTM) Standards. Draws a picture of Klein as an important historical figure who saw equal importance in studying pure mathematics, applying mathematics, and teaching…

Describes an activity in which students use data analysis and mathematical modeling to obtain insight into a geometrical question. Explores a simple case of the isoperimetric inequalities. (KHR)

Presents a project used to help students make connections between linear and exponential models and between arithmetic and geometric sequences. (KHR)

Presents an instructional forum in which students and teachers work with researchers to engage in coordinated cycles of planning and implementing instruction and studying forms of students' thinking that emerged in the classroom. Reports on an 8-week teaching and learning study of elementary students' thinking about distribution, including their…

Uses hierarchical linear model to estimate the effects of three forms of human capital on employee salary in China: Formal education, employer-provided on-the-job training, and adult education. Finds, for example, that employees' experience in changing production technology and on-the-job training are positively associated with salary increases…

Presents an analytical approach to the interpretation of weighted Boolean queries. By distinguishing query term weights from query weights, a query becomes a means of describing classes of ideal documents and expressing relativity criteria among these descriptions. A formalization of query term weights is given in a fuzzy set theoretical context.…

A statistical model is presented for evaluating the effectiveness of the Demerit Points System of Victoria (Australia) in reducing traffic offenses. Estimates of the mean waiting time between offenses were made by maximum likelihood methods. Empirical results with 46,982 drivers--participants in a Driver Improvement Program--support the system's…

Three different applications of the testlet concept are presented, and the psychometric models most suitable for each application are described. Difficulties that testlets can help overcome include (1) context effects; (2) item ordering; and (3) content balancing. Implications for test construction are discussed. (SLD)