VMODEL
STEPS IN MAKING A MODEL


 Target   PLAN   Describe   Connect   Predict   Check


 Plan the model

Planning the model means figuring out what processes and basic objects and will be in the model.

When you plan the model, you should think about what basic objects should be in the model, and what processes might be happening to make the changes in your model target. You should list what will be in your model, and also think about kinds of basic objects they are. Something in your model could be a "thing" a "multiple thing" a "substance" or a process.

 More information on basic objects and processes.

An example model plan:

Target "The level of water in the bathtub is decreasing."
Processes

Draining (This is a process that might lower the level of the water.)

Evaporating (This is also a process that might lower the level of the water.)

Filling (This is a process that might raise the level of the water.)

Floating (The rubber duckie floats.)

Basic Things

water (a substance)

the bathtub (a thing.)

My rubber duckie (a thing.)

When you first make a model plan, you might leave something out or you might put in something that really doesn't belong there because it doesn't help explain the problem statement (like the floating rubber duckie) That's o.k. You can go back to it later and add or take things out.

When you make your model in build mode, add the basic things and processes you need to the screen. Go to the library tag, click on them, click on the screen and then double click inside to name them. (See a screenshot.) If this is not your first model, you might want to use things or processes or other models that you have stored in your library. You can check your library and see if there is anything you have already used that might be reusable for this model. Even if this is your first model, you could check the library to see if your teacher has put anything in the Vmodels section that you might want to use.

GO BACK to making the model target    GO ON to describing the things in your model

Help on how to make and understand a Vmodel model
Help on the model building blocks
OVERVIEW
MAIN PAGE
What should be in my model?
Basic objects   
 How does the Model explain the model target?
processes

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