Teaching population dynamics with a simulation exercise

Abstract

Because many students learn general points best by an empirical demonstration rather than by a purely analytical approach, most of the mysteries of the formation and the evolution of a population under the action of mortality and fertility can be conveniently demonstrated on a computer in the form of population projections under various assumptions. Such an exercise can be simple and yet constitute a powerful teaching tool. Not only will it enable the student to observe the effects of central demographic processes but also it will serve to integrate through concrete applications many of the more technical concepts usually covered in an introductory population course, but rarely made meaningful to average beginning students. An easily administrable exercise along these lines is described in hopes that other instructors in population courses will find it as useful a teaching device as we did. © 1970 Population Association of America.