The Didactic Potential of Computer Aided Modeling for Physics Education

This article describes how computer aided modeling in physics education can help to accentuate the concept structure of a physical domain, to examine more complex and realistic phenomena, and to advance student orientation of physics instruction. Several examples from high school physics courses working with the modeling system Stella show how this didactic potential can be realized in the classroom. The effects of computer aided modeling on physical reflection and the development of physical competence are evaluated.