SBI3013

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN

BIOLOGY

TITLE: SIMULATION IN TEACHING AND LEARNING

Student Name Student No.

MUHAMMAD SHAZRIZAL SHAHMY BIN D20162075562
MOHD SAFIEE
MOHAMAD NAJIB BIN AHMAD UZAIMI D20162075563

JOSHUA CHEE YIK-REN D20162075545

LECT. NAME: DR. AZMI BIN IBRAHIM

Abstract

Modeling is the representation of objects, systems or ideas about the different ways to the same
entity, while the system is operating simulation model, which is representative of the system.
This model is capable of handling it would be impossible, too expensive or too impractical to
implement the system it describes. Modes of operation can be studied and these qualities can
infer the behavior of the real system. And that can be a model? This simulation can be performed
by anyone in any area. Software or some tools do they have to run it. With the right equipment or
software, even children can make the simulation as a learning tool. In this paper, we focus on the
use of simulation in education as a method of teaching and learning. The software that we are
using is a STELLA.

Introduction

Simulation is the technique of imitating the behavior of some situation or system (Economic,
Mechanical etc.) by means of an analogous model, situation, or apparatus, either to gain
information more conveniently or to train personnel. Hartmann (1996) define simulation as a
process which mimics the relevant features of a target process. From the educational
perspective, Diana Lorillard in Rethinking UniversityTeaching2 states: A computer-based
simulation is a program that embodies some aspect of the world, allows the user to make inputs
to the model, and displays the results. In other words, simulation is indeed a method to
represent complex relations in an easier way and in lesser time. Simulation can be performed by
anyone in many areas. They just need the software or tools to run it. In educational purpose,
commercial, financial, logistics, health or research purpose, simulation can be applied. Even
children can perform simulation as their tools of learning. In this essay, we are going to focus on
the use of simulation in education as a method in teaching and learning process.
 Objectives

To allow student doing experiment by exploring

To illustrate basic modelling principles of experiment by using software STELLA

To develop small a simple scaled-down model of dynamics of a biological population

Simulation in education

First of all, simulation is not something new in education. It has been practiced for many
decades as a tool supporting the traditional approach of learning. Educational simulations are
used for various general purposes in higher education. They raise student interest. They enable a
deeper sense of experiential reality for experiences that might otherwise be expensive or
dangerous to the student. They enrich the learning. They are often memorable.
How does all these simulation software helps student in their education?An educational
simulation involves the conveying of an online experience in which a learner goes through a
sequential or non-sequential experience that models or emulates a real-world experience. The
simulation consists of selectivefidelity, in other words, the experience does not pretend the whole
complexity of a learning experience but highlights the salient parts of a simulation.
For example, a simulation that focuses on teaching word-processing will show a visual
keyboard on the screen and will offer indicators of speed and accuracy because speed and
accuracy are two key components that are beneficial for those learning to word-process.

Educational simulations are used for various general purposes in higher education.They raise
student interest, they enable a deeper sense of experiential reality for experiences that might
otherwise be expensive or dangerous to the student, they enrich the learning, they are often
memorable and they offer ways to culminate complex learning.

Simulation can be used in many subject in school. The easiest example is in science as science
is a field of study where many experiment will be conducted. As for the simulation software, one
of the recommended simulation software which suitable for learning sciences is the STELLA
software. It is user friendly and suitable for all ages user.

Advantages and disadvantages

Futhermore,Systems where it is too expensive or risky to do live tests. Simulation

provides an inexpensive, risk-free way to test changes ranging from a "simple" revision to an
existing production line to emulation of a new control system or redesign of an entire supply
chain.Large or complex systems for which change is being considered. A "best guess" is usually
a poor substitute for an objective analysis. Simulation can accurately predict their behavior under
changed conditions and reduce the risk of making a poor decision.Systems where
predicting process variability is important. A spreadsheet analysis cannot capture the dynamic
aspects of a system, aspects which can have a major impact on system performance. Simulation
can help you understand how various components interact with each other and how they affect
overall system performance.Systems where you have incomplete data. Simulation cannot invent
data where it does not exist, but simulation does well at determining sensitivity to unknowns. A
high-level model can help you explore alternatives. A more detailed model can help you identify
the most important missing data. Systems where you need to communicate ideas. Development
of a simulation helps participants better understand the system. Modern 3D animation and other
tools promote communication and understanding across a wide audience.

Despite of having many advantages there are also have disadvantages. Thesimulators, like
most tools, do have their drawbacks. Many of these problems can be attributed to the
computationally intensive processing required by some simulators.Another means of dealing
with the computational complexity is to employ the hierarchical approach to design and
simulation so as to permit the designer to operate at a higher level of design. However, this
technique may introduce its own problems as well. By operating at too high an abstraction level,
the designer may tend to oversimplify or even omit some of the lower level details of the system.
If the level of abstraction is too high, then it may be impossible to actually build the device
physically due to the lack of sufficiently detailed information within the design. Actual
construction of the system will not be able to occur until the user provides low level information
concerning the system's subcomponents.
What is STELLA?

STELLA stands for System Thinking for Education and Research. STELLA offers a
practical way to dynamically visualize and communicate how complex the system and ideas
really work. STELLA is used to stimulate a system over the time, jump the gap between theory
and the real world and also it enables students to creatively change the system.
STELLA teaches students to look for a relationship and also it creates a clear communication
system inputs and outputs to demonstrate the outcomes.STELLA models allow you to
communicate how a system works what goes in, how the system is impacted, what are the
outcomes. STELLA supports diverse learning styles with a wide range of storytelling features.
Diagrams, charts, and animation help visual learners discover relationships between variables in
an equation. Verbal learners might surround visual models with words or attach documents to
explain the impact of a new environmental policy. There are many topics that can be constructed
by using STELLA. For examples, simulation on effect of number of owls and rats towards
the production of palm oil which will be conducted and the result will be shown later in this
report.
Methodology :

In this experiment, we used Stella simulations to analyse the relationships between prey

and predator dynamics. During this experiment, we have make changes on the population to see

the effect on the prey-predator graph. After make the changes on the population, we can make

observation and analyse the result based on the changes that occur on the graph. Based on the

stella simulation and model that we used, there are many ways that we can used to explore the

model`s structure. Futhermore, we had observed the essential structure of the model by clicking

the spacebar which through it we can get more about the structure of the prey-predator

interactions.

During this experiment, we had followed the guide tour and view the entire model of the

prey-predator relationships between `Owls, `Rats` and Palm Oil. Based on the simulations

model, we can collected all the results and been analysed based on the graph that we have

observed.
Observation/Result :

Graph 1 :

Graph 2 :
Graph 3 :
Discussion/Analysis :

Prey-predator relationship is an interaction between two organisms of different species in

which one of them acts as predator that captures and feeds on other organism which serves them

as the prey. In this experiment, for the prey-predator relationship, rats is the prey while owls is

the predator. The graph above shows the same pattern of prey-predator dynamics. A real

difference can been seen on graph 1 and 3. Next, when the variable was set into certain value, the

graph shows the changes. Based on the graph, when we increase the or changes the size of 1 time

rats harvest, the population of rats and owls also change. The graph all shows same pattern in

each sizes but changes will occur due to the birth and dead population. So, when the number of

the prey increase, then the number of predator will decrease and vice versa. However, the pattern

of the graph remain constant. Through this, we will able to predict the trend and changes of the

graph and can understand the experiment very well.

The main objective of this experiment is to produce a model of a system that illustrates

the population in palm oil that involve the prey-predator relationship. So, to conduct this

experiment, we had to use the model and material from the Stella software. Our purpose is to

elaborate the discussion to explain more about the ideas.

Furthermore, in order to to produce a model of a prey against predator relationship, we

need to understand the relationship for each population is dependent on the other and whatever

happens to one of them will effects the other. In order to run the simulation, we have to set the

zero number of removal rats. Based on the graph 1, the interactions between owls and rats are

constant. So, this state that the population of both species are stable.
 Next, we adjust the reading of the number of rats in graph 2 and we increase it. Based on

that, we can predict as the numbers of owls increase, the number of rats decrease. Therefore,

graph 2 and 3 shows the population growth and decline through the time. From the graph we can

state that the rats population leads the owls population through cycle.

Lastly, the number of owls harvest is adjust up to maximum value. Based on that, we can

make a prediction that there are higher number of rats will consumed do the higher number of

owls. As the number of olws increase, rats will decrease, so the palm oil production will increase.

From the graph also we can see that there are decline in rats population.

Conclusion :
In a nutshell, we will able to identify and understand about the relationship between prey

and predator. Based on the experiment that we have conduct, when the number of prey organisms

decrease, predator will increase and vice versa. Next, based on the graph, it shows the different

pattern based on the number of sumber sawit which have controlled as a variable. Using

simulation in teaching and learning process will help student to learn and conduct experiment

more efficiently. We can explore new experience and knowledge from the STELLA simulation

and model.

One of the important advantages of stellar simulations is that they are able to provide

users with practical feedback when designing real world systems. This allows the designer to

determine the correctness and efficiency of a design before the system is actually constructed.

Lastly, we may explore the best of alternative designs without actually physically create the

systems. By investigating the effects of specific design decisions during the design phase rather

than the construction phase, the overall cost of building the system diminishes significantly.
Reference :

1)System Dynamics Tool: STELLAVersion 9 Tutorial 1 Introduction to Computational

Science: Modeling and Simulation for the Sciences.
2) astrosun2.astro.cornell.edu/academics/courses/astro101/java/evolve/evolve.htm
3) rainman.astro.illinois.edu/ddr/stellar/
4)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STELLA_(programming_language)