Ventana software support forum

Posted by Martin Schaffernicht <martin@utalca.cl>
Hi,

it is usually accepted that modeling triggers learning, this is to say:
the modeler's mental model changes as effect of the activity
""modeling"". It wonder if this has been measured. I found studies that
looked for mental model changes of ""simulating"" (secifically ""Measuring
Change in Mental Models of Dynamic Systems: An Exploratory Study"" by
James K. Doyle, Michael J. Radzicki and W. Scott Trees), also studies of
attitute changes during group model building. There is material about
""systems thinking"", however this is ""learning II"" : about the way people
approach situations, not about mental models of the problem/situation.

There are two questions:
- has someone assessed mental model changes triggered by ""modeling""?
- is there a particular theory of ""learning"" that would be used for
predicting learning effects of (SD) modeling?

Thanks for your help,

Martin Schaffernicht
Universidad de Talca - Chile
Posted by Martin Schaffernicht <martin@utalca.cl>
posting date Sat, 22 Jan 2005 13:29:47 +0100

Posted by ""John Gunkler"" <jgunkler@sprintmail.com>


You might take a look at David Ausubel's theory of learning. I won't do it
justice in a couple of sentences, of course, but he was the first (I think)
to put forth the idea of ""mental Velcro."" It is a similarity theory -- you
easily learn things that are related to what you already know. The
likelihood that new information will be retained is related to how much
previous learning there is that provides ""hooks"" on which to hang the new
information. He advocated teaching principles most teachers use today --
like giving people preview or outline information (building some hooks)
before hitting them with more detail, like introducing new learning by
talking about how it is like and unlike something else.

His ""hooks"" seem to me to be much like parts of mental models. It would
predict, for example, that change in one's mental model happens more readily
when you have a mental model similar to the one you're trying to learn; that
evolution of mental models is the norm, not revolution (much like Thomas
Kuhn's idea); and that it will be easier to change a mental model after you
become more consciously aware of its structure.

Posted by ""John Gunkler"" <jgunkler@sprintmail.com>
posting date Sun, 23 Jan 2005 07:27:54 -0600