Models
Models
Models motivate students to ask new questions and to propose new hypotheses.
Modeling makes students’ thinking visible.
Modeling makes students’ reasoning available to their peers.
The process of modeling helps students see the value of changing their thinking in response to new evidence and ideas.
Nature of Models
Models can represent non-visible and non-accessible processes and features
Different models can have different advantages
Models are representations that have limitations in what they represent about a phenomena
Models can be changed to reflect growing understanding of the phenomena
There are multiple types of models: diagrams, material models, simulations, etc.
Purpose of Models
Models are sense-making tools for constructing knowledge
Models are communication tools for conveying understanding or knowledge
Models can be used to develop new understandings, by predicting new aspects of phenomena
Models are used to illustrate, explain, and predict phenomena
Criteria for evaluating and revising models
Models need to be based on evidence about the phenomena
Models need to include only what is relevant to their purpose
From Schwartz et al., (2009) Developing a Learning Progression for Scientific Modeling: Making Scientific Modeling Accessible and Meaningful for Learners
Model
A set accepted scientific idea that has already been illustrated.
Modeling
Facilitating the creation of models.