The Many Faces of Models

摘要

Models used in computer simulation provide a way of abstracting certain information about a physical or engineered system, usually in an accessible, visual form. Even though the practice of simulation over the past twenty years has encouraged model output, first in two and then in three dimensions, the model structures themselves have not undergone a similar representational evolution. In the talk that accompanies this paper, we present a methodology that encourages experimentation with model representation. The paper includes two examples of an event graph model to illustrate how such experimentation has been used in two classes at the University of Florida to motivate students to apply creativity in their system modeling activities. We have found that students are highly motivated to learn simulation and models by being allowed more flexibility in not only representing models, but also designing interfaces where model and behavior can coexist in the same virtual space.