Presents a framework that connects concepts such as expert consensus models, target models, intermediate models, preconceptions, learning processes, and natural reasoning skills for thinking about cognitive factors involved in model construction in the classroom. Provides guidance to teachers in the form of instructional principles and reminds…

Discussion of students' prior knowledge and its effect on analogical reasoning focuses on four case studies of high school and college students that were designed to determine factors important for success in overcoming misconceptions via analogical reasoning. Explanatory models are explained, and abstract transfer versus explanatory model…

In this paper examples of the role of analogical reasoning in expert problem solving are presented. These are intended to show that using an analogy can change an expert's understanding of a problem situation by changing the conceptual model he or she uses to think about the situation. This suggests that using a good analogy may allow students to…