Experiences from using a pig growth model in agricultural education

In this paper the concept of a simulation model of pig growth is described - PIGSIM. The purpose of developing PIGSIM was to use it in teaching in the programme for the University Diploma in Agricultural and Rural Management at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden. Model input is feed analyses, climate variables, disease frequencies, cost of feed, cost of piglet and other costs. Model output is daily gain and fee d conversion of the pig and profit per pig, per batch or per year. The resu lts from an evaluation of using the PIGSIM in the education of agricultural in order to improve understanding of basic relations in animal science are discussed. The evaluation was made in three steps; first by a written diag nostic test prior using the model, then written computer lab reports by the students and finally student answers in a written exam. It was found that the students had improved their knowledge of the concept of the lower criti cal temperature, which was analysed during the computer lab. However, it is difficult to prove that it only was the result of using PIGSIM, it could a lso be explained just by raising the question in the diagnostic test or dis cussing the topic in previous lectures during the semester. One goal with computer assisted learning is to illustrate complex problem i n a more illustrative way. PIGSIM makes this possible, however, the interac tion teacher - student cannot fully be compensated by this version of PIGSI M.