EDEE 270 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Scientific Modelling

• School: McGill University
• Department: Elementary Education
• Course: EDEE 270
• Professor: Dawn Wiseman

Document Summary

So it is a representation of a hypothesis. Models can be changed as new information is obtained. Article focuses on: developing, evaluating and revising scientific models to explain and predict phenomena (a scientific practice) Provide scientists and engineers with tools for thinking, to visualize and make sense of phenomena and experience, or to develop possible solutions to design problems. Includes: diagrams, 3-dimensional physical structures, computer simulations, mathematical formulations, analogies. Must be consistent with the evidence that exists. Different models are appropriate in different situations depending on what is being explained. Students are given the final scientific model that scientists have developed and little time is spent showing them the evidence for the model or allowing them to construct models that will explain the phenomena. Learners often don"t see a difference between the scientific model and the phenomena the model is predicting and explaining, or the value of the model for explaining and finding solutions.