SimPark is a dynamic simulation of an actual nature park. It allows the user to become a park ranger and create his/her own unique ecosystem. The user creates the park by inserting plants, animals, and people. SimPark is simulation software. This means it allows the student to study processes instead of events. It allows students to explore and test their ecological hypotheses on a real life simulation. SimPark lets the user explore his/her imagination and incorporate it into the park’s design. The program has the user identify different plants and animal species, as well as their interdependencies. SimPark lets the user explore the food chain and web relationships of the plants and animals in their park. SimPark provides superb details of each plant and animal in the park. All the survival information is provided to ensure a successful ecosystem. The requirements for plants and animals to flourish together are accurately illustrated. If the requirements are not added to the park, the plant or animal will die. The program monitors all the animals and plants in the park and graphs their survival rate. SimPark also allows the user to compare and contrast the adaptability of organisms to different regions and climates. It lets the user investigate what happens when people are introduced into an ecosystem and what changes proceed.

An interesting feature of the program is the simulated E-mail section. Here, other park rangers, your boss or even your mom may send you a message. The messages can provide helpful tips on growing shrubs or silly reminders from mom. Sometimes, the boss will inform you of a pay raise or bonus. Another special feature is the field guide, which lists all the plants and animals by their species name. In the plant section, information about optimal temperature and sunlight is provided, as well as a listing of what animals will be attracted to that particular species of plant. The animal section details any special needs the animal may have as well as its favorite food. An additional entertaining feature is the bird song game. The game can be played by one or two players and has two levels of difficulty. The last engaging highlight is the budget segment of the program. Here, students can see how much money they have spent, what their tax revenue was, and what their park revenue was for the year. SimPark bases its scoring on an economic system; the more accurate and ecologically balanced your park is, the more money you make.

The program is well developed and profoundly accurate. The plants and animals are described in great detail, accompanied by elaborate illustrations. SimPark is an open-ended program, appealing to a wide audience. The software displays no ethnic bias, incorporating all nationalities into the simulation. The navigation system takes a little practice and instruction to locate all the features. For better clarity, the program could include more labels. Another drawback is the limited amount of plants and animals included in the software. Simulation software is a valuable learning and teaching tool but it does have limitations; SimPark may provide a far amount of complexity and diversity but it does not compare to the complexity of the real world. Students need to be aware of this factor and understand that the repercussions of the real life events are far more devastating than in the SimPark simulation. The statistics provided by the park census and the population graph may be slightly inaccurate, but general trends are correct.

The technical quality is good. Even a novice computer user, with an initial explanation, can manipulate the program with ease. The installation is very self-explanatory. The navigation system can be a little difficult at first but mastered quickly. Additional words combined with symbols would help speed up the navigation process. The animation and animal sounds are life-like. The graphics contribute to the realness of the program. The maps and geographical layouts are easy to follow and make maneuvering through the park a snap. There does not seem to be any errors or bugs in the program.

The application makes adequate use of the computer through simulation, but it does not utilize any video footage or quick time. Inclusion of such features would add to the realism and authenticity of the program. Teachers can modify the program by focusing on just predator/prey relationships or by inducing a drought. The students are able to print their park census and population growth graph. This data can be used as a means of evaluation. A profit tally is also kept, which can be another monitoring tool. Unfortunately, the tally may not be the most accurate way to measure ability, due to the fact that random additions of organisms will increase your revenue without reflecting the knowledge of the species.

The user is completely in control of the park’s outcome. The students get to experience first-hand decision making and the consequences that follow. The students are more than mere observers. They are active participants in the creation of an ecosystem. In order to maintain a balanced park, the user is responsible for adding and removing species. The program is designed to be manipulated by a single user but could easily be utilized by a small group. There are many elements needed to maintain a balanced ecosystem. Consequently, several students discussing the different aspects would be very beneficial. There is a section called "Name that Song" where students compete against each other while naming certain birdcalls. This section also lends itself to a group setting. The program is definitely student-centered, placing the learning outcomes on the user.

SimPark does lend itself to external coaching. The teacher can explain why certain plants and animals live well together, while others do not. Animal and plant facts are briefly addressed in the program and can be supplemented by the teacher. In addition, the teacher can select certain animals to add and have the students monitor the implications to their park. Initially, the teacher might need to serve as a guide, directing and assisting students through the program. There are many wonderful lesson ideas and plans included in the software package, including materials that can be printed for distribution. The lessons are very interactive and make excellent use of the technology. They also provide a means of evaluation.

SimPark can be used in a classroom as a demonstration to introduce a new unit or to review a completed one. It can be used as a culminating activity for the unit, allowing students to apply their new knowledge. SimPark can be utilized to test current theories on ecology. The whole class can compare the historical results to their SimPark results. Students may also work independently on a park, then compare their park census with their classmates. SimPark also lends itself to cooperative/collaborative learning. Students can act as recorders, checkers, researchers, facilitators, and computer operators. SimPark provides the students with an opportunity to test their hypotheses and reflect on their outcomes. It is an open-ended program with endless amounts of simulations.

SimPark is a unique ecosystem simulation, which allows the student to actively participate in the creation of an ecologically balanced nature park. Throughout the simulation, students are faced with environmental dilemmas. They must be the decision-makers and suffer or reap the consequences. The user must be knowledgeable of the interdependencies between animals and plants. Therefore, the software provides excellent resources to learn and study the needs and facts about each park species. The program also provides excellent species monitoring services. This helps the user stay on top of the predator/prey battle. SimPark provides the user with many choices and freedoms, an important issue for middle school children. The simulation encourages reasoning and allows each student to express his or her own style of learning. SimPark fosters active learning by allowing the user to compare and contrast organism adaptability, investigate the food chain, distinguish different species, and investigate how humans affect the environment.

SimPark provides an excellent means of applying subject knowledge to a real life scenario. It gives the students an opportunity to actively participate in their learning. The program is a realistic simulation of a nature park but lacks the live-action footage that would make it more authentic. The graphics are good but at times difficult to clearly understand. The navigation system could be simplified by adding image labels.