Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preliminary Material / Patrick Blumschein , Woei Hung and David Jonassen -- Part I: Introduction and Foundations / Patrick Blumschein , Woei Hung and David Jonassen -- Modeling and Simulation in Learning and Instruction: A Theoretical Perspective / Norbert M. Seel and Patrick Blumschein -- Mental Models and Problem Solving: Technological Solutions for Measurement and Assessment of the Development of Expertise / Norbert M. Seel , Dirk Ifenthaler and Pablo Pirnay-Dummer -- Utilizing System Modeling to Enhance Students’ Construction of Problem Representations in Problem Solving / Woei Hung -- Part II:Learning by Modeling / Patrick Blumschein , Woei Hung and David Jonassen -- Modeling Thinking Processes by Building Cognitive Simulations / David H. Jonassen -- Can Modeling Foster Analogical Reasoning? / Karen Carney , Kenneth D. Forbus , Leo C. Ureel II and Danielle Fisher -- Ecosystem Modeling for Environmental Education: From Stocks and Flows to Behavior and Interactions / Peter Reimann and Kate Thompson -- Generating Dynamic Stories from Complex Simulation Models: A Learning Approach Applied in Information Security / Stefanie Hillen and Jose Gonzalez -- A Modeling Methodology for Assessing Learning in Complex Domains / J. Michael Spector -- A Framework for the Assessment of Learning by Modeling / Sylvia P. van Borkulo , Wouter R. van Joolingen , Elwin R. Savelsbergh and Ton de Jong -- Part III:Learning to Model and Modeling Tools / Patrick Blumschein , Woei Hung and David Jonassen -- Modeling a System and Teaching a System: Enhancing what Students Learn from Modeling / Stephen Alessi -- Scientific Model Construction by Pre-Service Teachers using Stagecast CreatorTM / Christiana Th. Nicolaou , Iolie A. Nicolaidou and Constantinos P. Constantinou -- Collaborative Model Construction / Andreas Harrer , Lars Bollen and Ulrich Hoppe -- Artificial Life Simulations: Discovering and Developing Agent-Based Models / Matthias Scheutz -- Modeling Rural, Social, Economic and Environmental Interactions of EU Agricultural Policy / Tom Johnson , John M. Bryden and Karen Refsgaard -- Modeling the Effects of Training: Design and Development of a Performance Model based on Research Studies about Learning / Tristan E. Johnson and Eric G. Sikorski -- After word: Where do we go from here? / Woei Hung and Patrick Blumschein.

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Model-Based Approaches to Learning provides a new perspective called learning by system modeling. This book explores the learning impact of students when constructing models of complex systems. In this approach students are building their own models and engaging at a much deeper conceptual level of understanding of the content, processes, and problem solving of the domain, which is proven to be successful by research from the area of mindtools. Topics covered include the foundations of knowledge structures and mental model development, modeling for understanding, modeling for assessment, individual versus collaborative modeling, and the use of simulations to support learning and instruction in complex, cognitive domains. The thread tying these chapters together is an emphasis on what the learner is doing when he is engaged in modeling and simulation construction rather than merely interacting with constructed simulations. Model-Based Approaches to Learning is an interesting book for Educators (Instructors, K-12 Teachers), who are looking for forms to use advanced computer technology in classrooms. Also Teachers’ educators who are working on the integration of technology into their teacher preparation classrooms can find new concepts and best-practice examples in this book. This also holds true for all Educators and Researchers who are interested in modeling as an activity to successfully work with ill-structured and complex problems.