Developing and using Models, Constructing Explanations, and Designing Solutions

Developing and using Models, Constructing Explanations, and Designing Solutions

In OpenSciEd materials, models are positioned as intellectual tools used to reason with and develop explanations for phenomena. This intellectual work happens through negotiation between students, whether in small groups or in a whole group setting, and important learning happens in the discussions students have while deciding how to construct or revise models, or how to explain a phenomenon or design a solution. Students have multiple opportunities to return to their ideas to revise, discard, add to, or expand them as they gain new evidence from investigations and other sources. Modeling and explanation are collaborative endeavors that advance the understanding of the members of the classroom community, which means that the work of the community is made public, and students have opportunities to share, critique and build on one another’s ideas.