Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This presentation will illustrate the use of interactive graphical simulations in Excel for investigating a wide variety of random processes and sampling distributions that arise in introductory statistics courses including simulations of:
▸ various probabilistic processes such as coin flipping and dice rolling;
▸ the normal, binomial and other distributions;
▸ the Central Limit Theorem;
▸ confidence intervals and hypothesis testing;
▸ regression and correlation analysis.
The talk will emphasize a variety of ways that such graphical simulations in Excel can be used effectively to promote student understanding of two of the key themes in statistics – randomness and variability between samples and the long-term patterns that arise as sample size increases. The speakers will describe their use, particularly as classroom demonstrations, to increase student understanding of otherwise difficult concepts and methods, to provide tools by which the students can personally discover the underlying statistical concepts, and to "justify" or validate the statistical theory.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Teaching the dynamics of world politics requires dynamic teaching methods. Students often engage in simulations to learn dynamic processes. These simulations, however, are almost always prepared for them, and lose direct ownership by students. An even more direct engagement with global practice can be had when students write the simulations themselves. This paper describes a course in which several small groups of students write (and revise) simulations in which all students participate (at the end of the semester). Although the success of this method relies upon the diversity of available material (globalization entails a diverse array of interdisciplinary perspectives and practices), the method might also be useful in other contexts. I argue for the value of the method by analyzing its underlying principles.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: We will present a model (The Baseball Simulator) for simulating major league baseball games and seasons based on team (rather than individual) statistics. The model was motivated by the desire to create an accurate simulation model that employs as few statistics as possible. We will present a statistical overview comparing Baseball Simulator results and actual major league results for the seasons 1901 - 1993. We will also present results of a Baseball Simulator Ultimate Baseball League season where every major league from 1901 to 1993 plays every other team from the same timespan to determine an overall best Baseball Simulator major league team. Finally, we will share a related classroom activity where students employ probability concepts in the design of their own teams that compete in dice-roll baseball games.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Over the last several centuries, sovereign states (and their predecessors) have employed one of three general strategies to increase national wealth: war, trade, or isolation. While the trading state model has become the norm at the dawn of the 21st century, was this outcome inevitable? This paper explores the evolution of economic-military strategies using an agent-based computer simulation. The model is structured as a two stage prisoner’s dilemma game with an exit option. While trading systems rarely emerge in the simulation, they tend to be relatively stable once established. Several factors encourage the emergence of trading systems, including 1) raising the gains from trade, 2) increasing defense dominance in warfare, 3) increasing the rate of learning, and 4) allowing relative payoffs in combination with the preceding three factors. The simulation also supports the realist expectation that states will be reluctant to trade with immediate neighbors and undermines the dependency theory prediction that relative payoffs in trade will increase inequality and poverty.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: While the use of simulations to teach negotiation theory and issues in
international relations has become more common, using them to focus on a
wider variety of political science topics is still rare. Further, a
format for general social science simulation creation that can be
readily used by educators does not exist. To address these issues, this
paper explores the effective integration of simulations into a course,
and suggests a useful pedagogical framework—focusing on the choice
between educating students about process or content—for building social
science simulations. Finally, the paper presents web-based software to
facilitate the creation of simulations (face-to-face or
computer-mediated) based on the framework.