Annotated Bibliography

Maitreyi Agashe

October 17, 2010

ENGL278Z

Annotated Bibliography

Ardac, Dilek, and Ali H. Sezen. "Effectiveness of Computer-Based Chemistry Instruction in Ehancing the Learning of Content and Variable Control under Guided versus Unguided Conditions." Journal of Science Education and Technology. Nov. 2002. Web. 20 Oct. 2010. <http://www.springerlink.com/content/p57225mq2l858ph6/>.

            This article targets the effects of computer simulations on Turkish students’ responses towards chemistry.  In the experiment, researchers conducted the study with two experimental groups and one control group.  The two experimental groups were taught for a nine-week period using computer simulations (one group used the computer simulations approach and the other used the problem-solving approach) and the control group was taught for the same time period using conventional methods.  After the nine week period, four tests were given to students; Chemistry Achievement Test, Science Process Skills Test, Chemistry Attribute Scale, and the Logical Thinking Ability Test.  At the end of the experiment, it was determined that computer simulations and the problem solving approach were most effective in chemistry achievement and science process skills.  Computer simulations also effectively resulted in more positive attitudes towards chemistry.  The conventional approach was the least effective approach out of the three.  This source can be used a demonstration of a scholarly source for the rhetorical analysis. 

Bayrak, Celal. "Effects of Computer Simulations Programs on University Students' Achievements in Physics." Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education 3rd ser. 9.5 (2008). Web. 17 Oct. 2010. <http://tojde.anadolu.edu.tr/tojde32/pdf/article_3.pdf>.

The use of computer- assisted instruction is more effective than lecture- based instruction when measuring students’ performance in physics.  Conducted at the Hacteppe University in Turkey, researchers did a before and after test of randomly selected students.  Students in the Biology department comprised of the experimental group and students in the Chemistry department comprised of the control group.  The experimental group covered the physics class through a simulation program, Pearls 2.0, while the control group received instruction in basic lecture format.  The test after the instruction showed that the experimental group of Biology students performed better than the control group of Chemistry students.  This source can be used a demonstration of a scholarly source for the rhetorical analysis. 

Business Education Simulations.  Youtube. Sports Business Simulation, 19 Aug. 2010. Web. 20 Oct. 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjYw6INl4iQ.>

            The company, Reality Works, has three business education simulations.  One of them is The Business Game, which allows students to use sale strategies, competition, and reports to run their company.  The Finance Game forces students to focus on cash flow, performance, and profit & loss.        The Entrepreneurship Game emphasizes marketing research, marketing, and the users’ start up skills.  These games allow students to make executive decision on various aspects of business that are typical in the real-world.  All of the topics that are covered in the material are outlined in National Business Education Association standards.  The simulations revolve around performance, and that is how students’ success is measured.  Students learn how to use financial reports so that they can pinpoint potential areas of issues.  All simulations yield a business outcome, and can be accessed on any computer with internet capabilities.  The simulations can be obtained by reaching out to a product consultant. 

Seay, Jared. "Educational Games." Jared Seay. Robert Scott Small Library, 1997. Web. 01 Nov. 2010. <http://seayj.people.cofc.edu/cb/simgames.html?referrer=webcluster&>.

            Of the 68 studies conducted before 1984, 56% of the studies did not find any difference in the conventional teaching approach and the computer simulation approach.  However, of the ones did find a difference, majority of them favor the computer simulation approach rather than the conventional approach.  Majority of the studies were conducted for the social studies fields, and showed no difference in the effectiveness of the approach.  Social studies generally do not use computer simulations, but math, physics, and language arts use computer simulations more frequently but are more effective in teaching with computer simulations.  Computer simulations have shown to retain more students’ attention in the classroom and keep them interested.  This source can be used a demonstration of a scholarly source for the rhetorical analysis. 

"Simulation." Wikipedia. 18 Oct. 2010. Web. 18 Oct. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulation>.

Simulation is the imitation of something in reality.  It can be used for many reasons serving training, testing, and optimization purposes.  Te critical elements of simulations are the validity of the sample selection, set parameters in an assumption, and the reliability of the simulated outcomes.  Simulations can be grouped into two categories: physical (physical objects replace another object or system) or interactive.  An example of interactive simulations is computer simulations.  Computer Simulations model real-life situations and allow users to make predictions about a system by altering certain variables. 

Simulations are used in education when it is too costly or dangerous to use real equipment.  Training simulations are grouped into three categories: live (real people use simulated equipment in the real world), virtual (real people use simulated equipment in a virtual world), and constructive (simulated people use simulated equipment in a virtual world.)  The use of simulations in education can be targeted towards many areas of study.  This source could be an example of a non-scholarly source in the rhetorical analysis. 

Sports Business Simulations Introduction - Zennie Abraham. Perf. Zennie Abraham. Youtube. Sports Business Simulation, 22 Nov. 2006. Web. 17 Oct. 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA_ehBZZzwo>.

Zennie Abraham, CEO of Sports Business Simulation, is the developer of XFL SimWorld and Oakland Baseball SimWorld.  XFL SimWorld is a simulation based on the football league introduced by World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and NBC Sports.  While in actuality, the league did not last more than one year, the challenge is to prolong XFL’s existence by making decisions.  Doing so will increase ratings and allow the users to gain a $600 million contract from NBC.

Oakland Baseball SimWorld is the flagship product developed through equations and models to project future numbers to get a more realistic view of the business situation.  Users are given a set number of decisions, with the goal of making a profit and making the playoffs/ winning the World Series as many times as possible over 15 years.  There are different strategies that can be pursued to achieve the same goal.    This source could be an example of a non-scholarly source in the rhetorical analysis.