An investigation of the effectiveness of computer simulation programs as tutorial tools for teaching population ecology at university

Abstract

In this paper, we tested the effectiveness of computer simulation programs in enhancing the familiarity of biology students with ecological modelling and ecological concepts. We compared students' performance before and after the introduction of computer simulations into the teaching procedure. Computer simulations improved the comprehension of ecological processes expressed in mathematical form, but they do not allow a full understanding of ecological concepts. Thus, a balanced teaching procedure, involving both simulation programs and textbook-based lectures, is considered more appropriate for the teaching of ecological theory.