The Computer in Educational Decision Making


Book Description

This text provides educational administrators with a working knowledge of the problem-solving techniques of PERT (planning, evaluation, and review technique), Linear Programming, Queueing Theory, and Simulation. The text includes an introduction to decision-making and operations research, four chapters consisting of indepth explanations of each technique, and instructions on the use of computer programs. PERT is used for planning and analyzing stages or activities in project development. The chapter includes step-by-step instruction in its use--with illustrated charts and examples--and an explanation of the GCPATH program for a PERT computer analysis. The third chapter centers on the use of Linear Programming, a mathematical technique designed to solve mathematically stated problems. It contains examples of the computer program LPRG and illustrates its use in several different situations. Queueing Theory, the subject of the fourth chapter, is a method for analyzing waiting line problems. Presented are the basic elements of the theory, discussion of its use, and an outline of solutions to waiting problems with the QUEUE computer program. The final chapter introduces Simulation Technique, where a variety of simulated solutions to problems are used instead of real life situations. Practical examples illustrate the application of the technique and the use of the computer programs ENROLL, SUBST, and BUSRTE. (MD)




Transforming Teaching and Learning Through Data-Driven Decision Making


Book Description

"Gathering data and using it to inform instruction is a requirement for many schools, yet educators are not necessarily formally trained in how to do it. This book helps bridge the gap between classroom practice and the principles of educational psychology. Teachers will find cutting-edge advances in research and theory on human learning and teaching in an easily understood and transferable format. The text's integrated model shows teachers, school leaders, and district administrators how to establish a data culture and transform quantitative and qualitative data into actionable knowledge based on: assessment; statistics; instructional and differentiated psychology; classroom management."--Publisher's description.




Computers and Decision-making in Education


Book Description

Computers are tools to help man think. They do not, strictly speaking, ever make decisions. We make the decisions when we write the programs which specify what is to be done under each foreseeable circumstance. In so doing, our values are exposed--to our own view and to others. Some of the resistance to the use of computers in the management of human institutions may arise from anxiety about the computer imperative: The need to make explicit the bases upon which we intend to take actions and to select among alternatives. However, properly understood, this imperative may in the long run not only require but permit more creative and flexible management and control systems in education, with the object of improving our capacity to predict consequences and to respond to rapidly changing circumstances. (Author).




Using the Computer in Education


Book Description




Better Decision Making in Complex, Dynamic Tasks


Book Description

Computer simulation-based education and training is a multi-billion dollar industry. With the increased complexity of organizational decision making, projected demand for computer simulation-based decisional aids is on the rise. The objective of this book is to enhance systematically our understanding of and gain insights into the general process by which human facilitated ILEs are effectively designed and used in improving users’ decision making in dynamic tasks. This book is divided into four major parts. Part I serves as an introduction to the subject of “decision making in dynamic tasks”, its importance and its complexity. Part II provides background material, drawing upon the relevant literature, for the development of an integrated process model on the effectiveness of human facilitated ILEs in improving decision making in dynamic tasks. Part III focuses on the design, development and application of Fish Bank ILE, in laboratory experiments, to gather empirical evidence for the validity of the process model. Finally, part IV presents a comprehensive analysis of the gathered data to provide a powerful basis for understating important phenomena of training with human facilitated simulation-based learning environments, thereby, help to drive critical lessons to be learned. This book provides the reader with both a comprehensive understanding of the phenomena encountered in decision making with human facilitated ILEs and a unique way of studying the effects of these phenomena on people’s ability to make better decision in complex, dynamic tasks. This book is intended to be of use to managers and practitioners, researchers and students of dynamic decision making. The background material of Part II provides a solid base to understand and organize the existing experimental research literature and approaches.







Mindstorms


Book Description

In this revolutionary book, a renowned computer scientist explains the importance of teaching children the basics of computing and how it can prepare them to succeed in the ever-evolving tech world. Computers have completely changed the way we teach children. We have Mindstorms to thank for that. In this book, pioneering computer scientist Seymour Papert uses the invention of LOGO, the first child-friendly programming language, to make the case for the value of teaching children with computers. Papert argues that children are more than capable of mastering computers, and that teaching computational processes like de-bugging in the classroom can change the way we learn everything else. He also shows that schools saturated with technology can actually improve socialization and interaction among students and between students and teachers. Technology changes every day, but the basic ways that computers can help us learn remain. For thousands of teachers and parents who have sought creative ways to help children learn with computers, Mindstorms is their bible.




Data-based Decision Making in Education


Book Description

In a context where schools are held more and more accountable for the education they provide, data-based decision making has become increasingly important. This book brings together scholars from several countries to examine data-based decision making. Data-based decision making in this book refers to making decisions based on a broad range of evidence, such as scores on students’ assessments, classroom observations etc. This book supports policy-makers, people working with schools, researchers and school leaders and teachers in the use of data, by bringing together the current research conducted on data use across multiple countries into a single volume. Some of these studies are ‘best practice’ studies, where effective data use has led to improvements in student learning. Others provide insight into challenges in both policy and practice environments. Each of them draws on research and literature in the field.