In individual-based models (IBMs), individual organisms and their behavior are represented explicitly. This approach is chosen if one or more of the following three aspects are considered essential for answering an ecological question: heterogeneity among individuals, local interactions, and adaptive behavior. Formulating IBMs requires making decision on what entities, state variables, and processes to include in the model. Moreover, important design concepts unique to this kind of modeling need to be taken into account. Implementing IBMs requires programming, which can be cumbersome when using all-purpose programming languages. In this workshop, we will introduce the ODD protocol (Overview--Design concepts--Details) for thinking about and formulating IBMs; NetLogo, a free software platform for IBMs that is easy to learn yet powerful (Wilensky, U. 1999. NetLogo. http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/. Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL); and a new textbook that uses these tools (Railsback & Grimm 2012 http://press.princeton.edu/titles/9639.html). We will demonstrate how IBMs can be used for theoretical and applied problems, and for simple and complex systems. The workshop will include lectures, guided tours, and exercises. Participants need to bring computers with NetLogo installed, and are strongly encouraged to become familiar with the textbook in advance. The goal of the workshop is to prepare participants to teach themselves and even a university class using the textbook.