Collaborative modelling lab to increase learning engagement

Modelling is one of the critical skills that engineering students need to acquire. Models are used to represent complex processes or systems in order to enhance understanding of a particular aspect. Hence, models need to be constructed in such a way that information and understanding of a complex reality can be reduced to a pragmatic assessment at the project level. In modelling education we find a paradox. The end-result of a modelling exercise is, by definition, a less complex representation of the system or process that is studied. Therefore, when providing examples of a modelling task, the true complexity of the analysis and process is often underestimated. Consequently, studying worked examples of a model or observing a teacher during the modelling process is insufficient to learn how to analyse and to model a system or a process. The difficulty of the task is only experienced and understood when students try to model by themselves. However, from the authors’ experience, this is difficult to accomplish in a classroom setting. In this study we tested a new method for a modelling lab: a semi-structured interactive workshop in which students work in groups on large whiteboards using flexible modelling blocks. We evaluated the method using a questionnaire and the results are encouraging.