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

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. Comp uter simulations improved the comprehension of ecological processes express ed in mathematical form, but they do not allow a full understanding of ecol ogical concepts. Thus, a balanced teaching procedure, involving both simula tion programs and textbook-based lectures, is considered more appropriate f or the teaching of ecological theory.