Animal use in teaching: Implementation of alternatives

Abstract

The use of animals as teaching tools has come under increasing scrutiny. Expanding technology has greatly increased the range of teaching tools available and these are being used to replace animals and increase the breadth of teaching/learning methods. The paper considers the implementation of a computer simulation to replace an animal-based practical in an undergraduate unit on animal behaviour. Staff and students involved in the animal behaviour unit were interviewed with the goal of qualitatively evaluating the unit with reference to the changes to the educational outcomes, including animal welfare issues and student motivation. The introduction of computer simulations, to replace animals, requires a clear understanding of the educational outcomes desired and a high level of planning, designed to motivate the students.