The effectiveness of environmental simulations in developing students' awareness of environmental issues, whether perception of environmental relationships was affected by the simulations, and whether the use of microcomputers as the medium of instruction affected student attitudes towards computers were investigated in this study. Undergraduates (N=110) enrolled in an introductory natural resources course at the Ohio State University participated in the study. The treatment group used three microcomputer simulations that were incorporated into the course as individual learning modules while the control group worked with comparable workbook modules. Content presentation techniques were assessed through a knowledge subtest instrument and an Environmental Relationship Perception Survey. A Computer Awareness Survey measured attitudes toward computer enjoyment, anxiety, and user efficiency. The knowledge subtest results were significantly higher for the treatment groups suggesting that computer simulations are more effective for factual recall. However, the lack of significant changes in responses to the Environmental Perception Survey indicated that use of microcomputer simulations may not produce marked results in terms of higher cognitive processes. There was little in the data from the Computer Awareness Survey which would support the idea that increased exposure to computers results in more favorable attitudes toward them. References, tables and figures are appended. (ML)