We described a study on the use of an online laboratory for self-directed
learning by constructing and simulating conceptual models of ecological
systems. In this study, we could observe only the modeling behaviors and
outcomes; the learning goals and outcomes were unknown. We used machine
learning techniques to analyze the modeling behaviors of 315 learners and 822
conceptual models they generated. We derive three main conclusions from the
results. First, learners manifest three types of modeling behaviors:
observation (simulation focused), construction (construction focused), and full
exploration (model construction, evaluation and revision). Second, while
observation was the most common behavior among all learners, construction
without evaluation was more common for less engaged learners and full
exploration occurred mostly for more engaged learners. Third, learners who
explored the full cycle of model construction, evaluation and revision
generated models of higher quality. These modeling behaviors provide insights
into self-directed learning at large.

本研究通过在线实验室，让学生构建和模拟生态系统的概念模型，使用机器学习技术分析了 315 名学生和他们生成的 822 个概念模型的建模行为，提出了三种主要建模行为：观察、构建和完全探索，并发现完全探索可以生成更高质量的模型，这提供了自我指导学习的洞见。