0 Simulative modelling in physics and access to reality: From aspects of research practices to solutions for education

ABSTRACT: Simulative modelling is an extensively used in physics research, and it has many interesting implications concerning the modelling in physics education. Foremost, the knowledge produced by simulative modelling comes in the form of instrumentally reliable computational models rather than in form models having a close similarity with real systems. Through the instrumentally reliable models, simulative modelling can act as a cognitive tool bridging the conceptual reality and real phenomena, achieved through mutual fitting of simulations and experiments. In that process of fitting, the mimetic similarity of simulations and experiments acquire a central epistemological role. In the core of simulative modelling is the creative use of theoretical as well as empirical elements of modelling, explorative manipulation of real conditions to fit the models, and in addition, creative use of analogies from diverse areas of physics in constructing the models. Such modelling activity supports well constructively oriented and creative teaching solutions. 1 1