The primacy of ‘noticing’: A key to successful modelling

The notion of productive modelling-oriented noticing (pMON) is proposed within an anticipatory metacognition framework for the implementation of successful modelling. pMON involves modellers noticing what is important (or not) in order to generate strategies for responding to, or initiating, activities necessary for successful engagement in modelling. In this chapter, we address the question: How does ‘noticing’ feature as an enabler and a displayer of modelling ability? From student work at an extra-curricular event, we identify global and specific noticing of a strategic and explanatory nature, which evidences anticipatory aspects of mental activity taking place during modelling, and illustrate a coding system for identifying and labelling components of pMON.