February 2nd, 2009Limitations of Model Building
Cognitive load.
The construction of models is not an easy task; it demands a greater cognitive effort from the person doing the constructing. Integrating of the textual and diagrammatic information are said to place heavy demands on working memory. The fact that integration of multiple sources of information needs to be integrated in constructing of models can lead to discouragement or non engagement of learners.
Developmental differences
Models that are constructed require a specific level of intellectual development therefore; different kinds of models would require different kinds of intellectual development. Databases and concept maps might be easy for younger learners whereas system modeling tools might be more advanced. The complexity of the content as well as the requirement of the specific model might pose to big a challenge to those who are not on a high intellectual level. Specific support should be put in place to ensure the context as well as the developmental level of the learners is taken into account when they are requited to construct models.
Fidelity
Models are easily misunderstood because persons understand them to be identical to the models themselves. The fact is that models are representations of the phenomena they implicate. To be able to represent the world by means of a model are indeed very complex. Models have assumptions which are sometimes not illustrated very directly; which leaves the interpreter vulnerable to interpretation of the model. Models can be timeless, but phenomena might change a lot.
