Children and computer modelling: making worlds with WorldMaker

WorldMaker is a new modelling system which can be used by children to explore and create their own computer ‘worlds’. While many modelling systems already exist, most involve ideas such as specifying algebraic relationships between variables. But young children think of the world not in terms of variables, but in terms of objects and what they do. WorldMaker allows children to create objects and define the rules which govern their behaviour. Because WorldMaker models are essentially simple, even young children are able to discuss the nature of these models and their relationship to the real world. The importance of children creating their own models is stressed in order that they may understand the nature of computer models and be able to evaluate their strengths and limitations.