The Use of Heuristic Strategies in Modelling Activities

For students working on realistic modelling problems as autonomously as possible the support by a tutor is indispensable. However, how this support can be realised is a still not sufficiently answered question. In the paper we describe a study in which students are working on complex, realistic, authentic modelling problems over three days supported by tutors. The tutors participated in a teacher training prior to the modelling activity. The focus of the study is the usage of heuristic strategies by students within modelling activities and the promotion of strategic help provided by the tutors. Based on videotaping of ten groups while they were working on the modelling problem of the optimal placement of a bus stop, the study could show that heuristic strategies are an indispensable basis for adequate decisions in the modelling process. Their promotion by the tutors seems to be highly adequate in order to foster modelling competencies under a broader perspective.