The peculiarity of the method of graphical modeling is that the object is studied not directly, but through another object, which is an analog of the original one. The model is located between the follower and the object of cognition and reflects the essential aspects of the latter.
Graphical modeling is a method of studying those characteristics of the object that are of interest to us in a given period of time. In other words, it represents actions with models that allow us to carry out the study of certain characteristics, sides or properties of the object or prototype that are of interest. In school, this method is used to interpret the objects under study in order to make their use more accessible. To do this, students replace rules (algorithms) with graphical models that serve to interpret these rules.
According to the pedagogical objectives, it is necessary to consider model and modeling in a broad sense. It is important to consider the specific pedagogical goal for which the model is chosen or built, as well as the model’s relevance to this goal. The model built can fit multiple purposes or different models can be built for the same purpose.
In order for students to master graphical modeling in the form of a method of scientific knowledge, it is not enough only to consider the interpretation of terminology, as well as the demonstration of various scientific models from the content of direct teaching and the process of graphical modeling of certain phenomena and processes. It is important for schoolchildren to independently build a model, study certain objects and phenomena by means of graphic modeling. Mastering graphic modeling is important from the point of view of scientific cognition, pedagogy and psychology.
There are several psychological theories of learning. The main idea is the mastering of a system of mental actions, which is carried out during interiorization (moving inward) of a certain external practical action, which includes the following actions:
- object (materialized);
- materialized;
- verbal;
- internal mental.
