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Mental models and computer modelling
Author(s) -
Wild M.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of computer assisted learning
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.583
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-2729
pISSN - 0266-4909
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2729.1996.tb00033.x
Subject(s) - mental model , process (computing) , computer science , context (archaeology) , mental process , cognition , process modeling , human–computer interaction , cognitive science , psychology , work in process , engineering , programming language , paleontology , operations management , neuroscience , biology
This paper is concerned with the place of mental models in the process of knowledge construction and in particular, the relationship between mental models and computer models in that process. It identifies what is meant by mental models and outlines why they might be seen to be central to the process of acquiring knowledge. In this context, the second part of the paper analyses and discusses children's use of a spreadsheet to build their own computer models. It is suggested that the process of building models on a computer may provide direct support to the cognitive processes of constructing mental models, although the relationship is not straight forward.