Visual Models

Problem Solving with Computers

What’s a model?

A useful representationUseful

Includes those elements of something needed to answer a question or solve a problem

RepresentationJust those elements needed; nothing more

What’s a model?

Can be used to represent …ObjectsProcesses

With respect to Know/Need/Do …Facts and figuresAlgorithmAnswer

What’s a model?

A way to represent an object or a processTangible representation for an audience to examine and relate toAll parties involved can understand and relate to it.*

* “Unified Modeling Language (UML) and Rational Unified Process (RUP)”, Online: http://www.zebrasoft.com/TutorialDirectory/lct_UML_RUP.html

What is a Visual Model?

Utilize graphical elements to convey informationOften makes the abstract concreteExamples:

Street mapsAssembly diagramsCompany organizations charts

Graphical Organizers

OutlinesConcept Maps

Outlines

Hierarchical ordering of stepsLower order steps can be added through refinementUseful for

Stepwise developmentOverall view of process

Algorithms

Structured model of process or methodSequence of stepsExecutableTerminatingUseful for

Stepwise development

Example

How to boil water1. Get pot2. Fill pot with water3. Place pot on burner4. Turn burner to high5. Wait till water boils6. Turn off burner

How would How would you break you break down each down each of these of these steps?steps?

Pseudocode

Structured model of process or methodUses language with loose syntax

Generally English and Programming language combined

Concept Maps“Concept Maps”, Online: http://classes.aces.uiuc.edu/ACES100/Mind/CMap.html

SpiderHierarchyFlowchartsSystemsPicture LandscapeMultidimensionalMandala

Spider Maps (aka Webs)

Place the central theme or unifying factor in the center of the mapOutwardly radiate sub-themes surround the center of the map

Spider Maps

Central Central ThemeTheme

Sub-Sub-ThemeTheme

Spider Maps

Problem Solving

with Computers

KnowNeedDo

DataInformatio

nKnowledge

Models

Visual Models

Symbolic

Models

Physical

ModelsProblem

sNumeric

al

Textual

Logical

Hierarchy

Presents information in a descending order of importanceThe most important information is placed on the topDistinguishing factors determine the placement of the information

Hierarchy

Most important Most important ideaidea

Other ideasOther ideas

Hierarchy

President

Academic Vice-President

Financial Vice-President

Dean, Ancell School of Business

Dean, Arts & Sceince

Dean, Professional

Studies

Could you … ?

Represent the “Boil Water” algorithm as a hierarchy?Or how about your “Build a House” map?

Try this!

Create a spider map that shows the relationships among all materials needed to build a house

Brainstorm a list of materialsTurn the list into a spider map adding one item at a timeUse MS Visio to create a final version

Flowcharts

Structured model of process or methodFocuses on flow from one step to anotherUseful for macro view of process

Flowcharts

This is called a flowchart

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Flowcharts

Boxes represent actions

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Flowcharts

Diamonds represent decision points

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Flowcharts

Arrows show flow

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Flowcharts

The arrow at the top tells us there were previous steps

The arrow at the bottom tells us there are subsequent steps

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Flowcharts:

Boiling Water

Turn off burner

Get pot

Fill pot with water

Place pot on burner

Turn burner to high

Wait till water boils

Lift lid

Lower lid

Are there

bubbles?

Yes

No Wait till water boils

Try This!

Create a flowchart that represents the process of walking from White Hall to Dining Hall, lower level, Student CenterAre there alternate ways to do this?How might you represent alternates “paths” in a flowchart?