Evolution of a student model-building program

We describe the design and development of a highly interactive model-building program to assist students from a diverse range of academic backgrounds to understand the baroreceptor reflex. Our approach is to have students work in small groups to construct their own simple model of such a control system. This model then provides the basis for a structural framework for students to add further complexity without losing overall perspective and allows exploration of deeper issues. Our program is suitable for many disciplines and student backgrounds and provides a visual representation of a difficult concept, providing a basis to ground further knowledge. Audit trail data have been analyzed to identify and resolve areas of student difficulty, and extensive surveys and observations on students' use of the program over three years in several courses have been used to test and improve its effectiveness.