Working with Self-Check Models

Summary

In this tutorial, educator Emit walks viewers through the self‑check functionality of Model Builder, a web‑based platform that lets students construct causal, conceptual, or stock‑and‑flow models. The feature works like a jigsaw puzzle: a pre‑designed model is disassembled into component objects, and learners must reassemble it, receiving instant validation without revealing the complete solution.

Emit demonstrates the workflow using the "Natural Selection of the Rock Pocket Mouse" causal model. Students drag variables from a left‑hand bank onto the canvas, then link them with blue positive or red negative arrows to represent promotion or inhibition. The instructor explains the step‑by‑step process—selecting the tail object, choosing the connector, and clicking the head object—while highlighting the on‑screen hints and undo/redo tools that aid navigation.

Key examples illustrate how the self‑check engine compares the learner’s construction against a hidden answer key. When a connector is mis‑typed (e.g., a positive arrow where a negative is required), the check button flags the error with a red dot, while missing objects are similarly highlighted. Upon completing the model correctly, the check returns a clean slate, allowing students to move on to reflective questions about how habitat darkness influences mouse populations.

The broader implication is that self‑check models provide scalable, formative assessment for STEM educators. By delivering immediate, targeted feedback, the tool reduces the need for constant teacher intervention, promotes independent problem‑solving, and supports deeper conceptual understanding of complex causal systems.

Original Description

Educator Amit Morris provides a detailed overview of how to use Model Builder’s self-check feature to allow students to check their own work as they build a model, including practical tips for classroom implementation.

For more Model Builder resources, go to the BioInteractive website: https://www.biointeractive.org/classroom-resources/model-builder