EVOLUTION OF A STUDENT MODEL-BUILDING PROGRAM

1 Higher Education Development Unit, Centre for Learning and Teaching Support, Monash University, Victoria, 3800 2 Department of Physiology 3 BioMedical Multimedia Unit, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010 4 Teaching and Learning Development Support, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia 4811 Abstract We describe the design and development of a highly interactive model-building program to assist students from a diverse range of academic backgrounds to understand the baroreceptor reflex. Our approach is to have students work in small groups to construct their own simple model of such a control system. This model then provides the basis for a structural framework for students to add further complexity without losing overall perspective and allows exploration of deeper issues. Our program is suitable for many disciplines and student backgrounds and provides a visual representation of a difficult concept, providing a basis to ground further knowledge. Audit trail data have been analyzed to identify and resolve areas of student difficulty, and extensive surveys and observations on students’ use of the program over three years in several courses have been used to test and improve its effectiveness. Key words: baroreceptor reflex; model building; negative feedback; formative evaluation