This paper outlines the potential gains for Constructionist research and praxis in modelling that might be obtained by recognising the power of the Patch—a humble computational being in the NetLogo modelling environment that has been overshadowed by its more popular fellow agent, the Turtle. To contextualise this opportunity, I describe how Constructionist modelling has thrived by promoting forms of learning that rely on learners’ identifying with agents. I argue that patches are a neglected agent type in this multi-agent modelling tradition, and that the possibilities for learners to adopt the patch perspective in support of exploratory forms of modelling and aesthetic expression have been under-researched. Nevertheless, I show there are a variety of powerful ways for learners––both individually and in groups––to identify with patches. I describe ongoing research showing how taking an aesthetic approach to patches has the potential to support individuals and groups in powerful forms of learning with and about multi-agent modelling.

中文翻译：

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补丁作为探索性多智能体建模的表达媒介

本文概述了构建主义研究和实践在建模方面的潜在收益，这些收益可能通过认识到 Patch 的力量而获得 - NetLogo 建模环境中的一个不起眼的计算存在，它已被其更受欢迎的伙伴代理海龟所掩盖。为了将这个机会融入情境，我描述了构建主义建模如何通过促进依赖于学习者与代理的认同的学习形式而蓬勃发展。我认为，在这种多代理建模传统中，补丁是一种被忽视的代理类型，并且学习者采用补丁视角来支持探索性建模和审美表达形式的可能性尚未得到充分研究。尽管如此，我还是向学习者展示了各种强大的方式——无论是个人还是群体——来识别补丁。