Modeling instruction is a method of education where students will interact with and develop models in an attempt to develop a comprehensive understanding of natural phenomena. Often students will start the modeling cycle with some form of interactive lab, simulation or observation. Students will wrestle with their own understanding of the phenomena by developing individual, small group and then large group consensus models.
Whiteboards are often used to display understanding. Whiteboards may take on a variety of formats. Below is the most common format to a board that a student may develop to display their understanding of a concept or idea.
The modeling cycle is a continuous process by which students will make discoveries, build meaning/understanding, discuss those understandings, remediate, and further construct understanding. It is an unending process that may occur in sequence or out of sequence based on prior or developed knowledge.
What does the research say about the modeling pedagogy? Below is a google drive folder with a number of publications associated with the pedagogy and its effectiveness.