Diagram of the updated model of how engineers learn

2019-04-13

• In How engineers learn, there is a diagram "Execute, verify results, Cycle in which the model is modified." I drew it because I might be able to draw it better now that I have an iPad.

• First, I think, "I'd like an A."
  • For example, "I want to create software with a certain function X" or "I want to eat fried eggs.
• Think "How can I get A?"(HOW)
• Think, "If I combine B and C, I might get A."
  • 
  • Like, "If you put a frying pan on the stove top and put an egg in it, it's going to be a fried egg."
  • Model M produces this
• I'll actually try it.
• I expected to get an A and I got a D.
  • be surprised
  • 
  • We now have the observed fact that "combining B and C gives us D, not A."
  • It's hard to tell that this says "Do" (2025-04-16)
• Consider why D instead of A (why)
  • Model M, which generated the hypothesis that "if you combine B and C, you get A," is wrong.
  • Modify model M (M')
    • One thing that was in the 2014 figure but not depicted here is that this correction is a "Why did this happen?" to "Isn't this what caused this?" (2025-04-16).
  • 
• Using the new model M', we again ask, "How can we get A?" (how).
  • 'Wouldn't it be nice to combine the B's and G's?' and so on.
  • I'll actually try it.
  • 

Q: What is model?

• A model is an emulator.
  • The model is a reality emulator

Postscript (2025-04-16)

• To add something that was not clearly stated, this "model" is a "set of hypotheses," and the certainty of the hypotheses gradually increases as one acts on the hypotheses and they turn out as expected.
  • A model is a set of hypotheses.
  • Knowledge must be validated by action.

original drawing

• [Chapter 3: How to Understand Deeply - Learning by Comparison, Learning from History, Learning by Making: How Engineers Learn - Efficiently Obtain Knowledge and Link It to Results｜gihyo.jp ... Gijutsu-Hyohron Co. https://gihyo.jp/lifestyle/ feature/01/engineer-studying/0003?page=2]

This figure is the form before the illustrator made the drawing. 2014-03-10

This page is auto-translated from /nishio/エンジニアの学び方のモデル更新の図 using DeepL. If you looks something interesting but the auto-translated English is not good enough to understand it, feel free to let me know at @nishio_en. I'm very happy to spread my thought to non-Japanese readers.