An introduction to writing computer programs in ecology: its educational value

Abstract

The suggestion is made that program writing can bring about an understanding of a number of concepts in the biological sciences which, because of their arithmetic implications, are often considered to be difficult. Population growth is used to illustrate the proposal, in which computing and the study of the topic are integrated. Although the particular context is part of the work undertaken by ecology students on a BEd degree course, this approach to learning in science may be relevant at all levels of education.