Using a computer model to assist in teaching the interaction between land use, transport and the environment

Knowledge of the interaction between land use, transport and the environment is fundamental in understanding the impact of transport on cities´ environment. Many students do not fully understand the complexities of this interaction. Traditional lectures and tutorials alone do not do justice to the level of interaction and a more interactive educational approach is required. This paper discusses an interactive learning approach built around an educational computer system called LAND. Environmental and land use modellers have made considerable steps forward in the development of theory and the incorporation of this theory into computer models. Also, recent developments in computer software provide considerable potential for creating a user friendly, interactive, dynamic, easy to learn, and visually stimulating computer environment which can assist students in interacting with computer models. LAND has brought together these developments in a form that can assist in education. This paper introduces the teaching aims and approach, briefly describes the model and then outlines experiences in using this interactive teaching tool