Local structure is determined by delineating models. Models are primary units of coherently structured knowledge. Coherence derives primarily from the coordinated application of physical laws to the construction and analysis of models . Conventional instruction induces students to organize their learning around problems and their solutions as units of knowledge. Modeling instruction is organized around a small number of basic models.
Problem solving is subsidiary to modeling.
One model solves many problems. Large scale structure is determined by thematic use of physical laws threaded through the curriculum. Developing skills in scientific discourse Discourse structured around models to make scientific claims, explanations and arguments clear and precise. We have applied the same ideas to University Physics, but with some modifications and improvements. J. Phys .