Students' Application of Abstract and Systems Thinking Skills for Modeling Software Systems.
Saved in:
| Title: | Students' Application of Abstract and Systems Thinking Skills for Modeling Software Systems. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Thomas, Paul J.1 (AUTHOR) pjosekut@purdue.edu, Magana, Alejandra J.1 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Computer Applications in Engineering Education. Nov2025, Vol. 33 Issue 6, p1-16. 16p. |
| Subjects: | Abstract thought, Systems theory, Computer science education, Unified modeling language, Thought experiments, Software architecture, Cognitive Strategy Instruction, Cognitive ability |
| Abstract: | Software modeling is an essential practice in software engineering, requiring the application of both abstract thinking and systems thinking. Despite its importance, there is limited empirical research on how these cognitive skills are enacted during the modeling process. This study investigates how undergraduate students apply abstract and systems thinking while constructing software models using Unified Modeling Language (UML). Employing a case study approach with think‐aloud protocols, the research is framed through the lens of epistemic forms and games to analyze student reasoning. Six students who had completed a second‐year systems analysis and design course participated in the study. Thematic analysis of their modeling sessions revealed how abstract and systems thinking were enacted through structural, functional, and process‐oriented epistemic games. Two distinct modeling sequences—structural‐before‐behavioral and behavioral‐before‐structural—were identified, each associated with different cognitive strategies. Chronological visualizations were developed to illustrate these modeling paths. Key contributions of this study include a novel integration of epistemic games into modeling analysis, a detailed characterization of student modeling behavior, and actionable recommendations for instructional scaffolds to support the development of modeling proficiency in computing education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Computer Applications in Engineering Education is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 |
|---|---|
| Header | DbId: egs DbLabel: Engineering Source An: 190859894 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
| IllustrationInfo | |
| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Students' Application of Abstract and Systems Thinking Skills for Modeling Software Systems. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Thomas%2C+Paul+J%2E%22">Thomas, Paul J.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> pjosekut@purdue.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Magana%2C+Alejandra+J%2E%22">Magana, Alejandra J.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR) – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Computer+Applications+in+Engineering+Education%22">Computer Applications in Engineering Education</searchLink>. Nov2025, Vol. 33 Issue 6, p1-16. 16p. – Name: Subject Label: Subjects Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Abstract+thought%22">Abstract thought</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Systems+theory%22">Systems theory</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+science+education%22">Computer science education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Unified+modeling+language%22">Unified modeling language</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thought+experiments%22">Thought experiments</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Software+architecture%22">Software architecture</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+Strategy+Instruction%22">Cognitive Strategy Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+ability%22">Cognitive ability</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Software modeling is an essential practice in software engineering, requiring the application of both abstract thinking and systems thinking. Despite its importance, there is limited empirical research on how these cognitive skills are enacted during the modeling process. This study investigates how undergraduate students apply abstract and systems thinking while constructing software models using Unified Modeling Language (UML). Employing a case study approach with think‐aloud protocols, the research is framed through the lens of epistemic forms and games to analyze student reasoning. Six students who had completed a second‐year systems analysis and design course participated in the study. Thematic analysis of their modeling sessions revealed how abstract and systems thinking were enacted through structural, functional, and process‐oriented epistemic games. Two distinct modeling sequences—structural‐before‐behavioral and behavioral‐before‐structural—were identified, each associated with different cognitive strategies. Chronological visualizations were developed to illustrate these modeling paths. Key contributions of this study include a novel integration of epistemic games into modeling analysis, a detailed characterization of student modeling behavior, and actionable recommendations for instructional scaffolds to support the development of modeling proficiency in computing education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Computer Applications in Engineering Education is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=egs&AN=190859894 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1002/cae.70086 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 16 StartPage: 1 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Abstract thought Type: general – SubjectFull: Systems theory Type: general – SubjectFull: Computer science education Type: general – SubjectFull: Unified modeling language Type: general – SubjectFull: Thought experiments Type: general – SubjectFull: Software architecture Type: general – SubjectFull: Cognitive Strategy Instruction Type: general – SubjectFull: Cognitive ability Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Students' Application of Abstract and Systems Thinking Skills for Modeling Software Systems. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Thomas, Paul J. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Magana, Alejandra J. IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 11 Text: Nov2025 Type: published Y: 2025 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 10613773 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 33 – Type: issue Value: 6 Titles: – TitleFull: Computer Applications in Engineering Education Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
