Delivery Systems | SimBio

It's time for some updates!

The SimUText delivery system is moving online, making our interactive content more accessible to a variety of biology classrooms. Both the classic SimUText® and the new SimBio Active Learning System™ are customizable and subscription-based, allowing instructors to pick and choose content to fit their curriculum. Selected materials are assigned and delivered via feature-rich platforms designed to help instructors and students stay organized and on track.

Background
The original SimUText System was released in 2010 with partial funding from the National Science Foundation and is currently used in hundreds of classes. As client-based software, SimUText requires installation on a user's computer, a prerequisite that presents challenges for certain users. In response, we initiated the development of the SimBio Active Learning System, a new web-based version of SimUText that increases accessibility and functionality and runs on Chromebooks. While some features are still under development, after the success of a year of classroom-testing we are excited to officially release our new SimBio Active Learning System for Winter/Spring 2026 courses!

Which platform is right for you?

Choose the SimBio Active Learning System if:

Your students use computer operating systems other than Mac or Windows (such as Chromebooks) and would benefit from the convenience and ease of the web-based system.
You want access to our NEW content, including a brand-new tutorial/lab exploring photosynthesis.
Your assessments needs are met by simple, downloadable spreadsheets of student scores.

Choose the SimUText application if:

You require detailed performance tools in your Instructor Platform. (These features are not included in the Winter/Spring 2026 SALS release but are currently in development.)
You require access to content that has not yet been converted to the new system.

“[SimBio’s modules] provide a powerful environment for hands-on, active learning in Ecology and Evolution. The depth, design, and pedagogical effectiveness of these packages is unequaled. They have greatly enriched student interest and understanding in all of my courses, from Introductory Biology to Advanced Population Biology”

— Dr. Brad Lister

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

“The lab simulations have been very helpful to reinforce the lecture content and encourage students to use critical thinking skills to solve problems.”

— Patti Fallest-Strobl

Neumann University

“I was amazed how quickly and effortlessly the simulation taught them a dynamic system.”

— Paula Philbrick

University of Connecticut

“The students like [it] so much that they are working ahead of what I have assigned. They just think it’s fun. And from the quiz results I have so far, they’re really getting it. You guys are geniuses.”

— Paulette Bierzychudek

Lewis & Clark College

“Since we began using Simbio’s Ecology chapters our students consistently come to class better prepared. This is a key to the success of our hybrid flipped classroom approach.”

— Dr. Peter Curtis

Ohio State University

“That was the most fun I’ve had teaching ecology and, I would venture to guess, the most fun my students have had taking ecology from me.”

— Matt Orr

Oregon State University, Cascades

“Our students are more prepared and our class discussions are more sophisticated because SimUText is such a great out of class “instructor”. Since our students have SimUText preparation we can spend class time applying concepts and evaluating new information.”

— Emily Bernhardt

Duke University

“I LOVE that every lab is based on a real study. I LOVE that all of the labs offer an open-ended inquiry. I LOVE that the labs gradually teach the concepts and build up a repertoire of data collection techniques. Thank you, for creating them.”

— Jeanette Williams

Community College of Vermont

“I just wanted to say how great simutext has been. I could have memorized facts about the electron transport chain and passed the test, but would not have had any solid concept of what was happening inside. I hope that we continue to use it often even when things return to normal.”

— Student

Rochester Community and Technical College

“Congratulations for developing such a high quality chapter. I was very impressed by its comprehensiveness, accuracy, and thoughtful design. It really is superb.”

— Richard Boone

Humboldt State University

“I recommend your modules to anyone I can, because of all the online materials I’ve found, SimBio is really the best in content and best managed. I am definitely a SimBio fan!”

— Valerie Anderson

Marymount California University