Lessons Learned: Creating Tutorials to Teach Agent-Based Modelling to Archaeologists

Journal of Computer Applications in Archaeology, vol. 8, pp. 354–367

Abstract

Agent-based modelling (ABM) is one of the most widely applied computational modelling research techniques in archaeology, because it is well suited to the questions asked by archaeologists. However, the access to vocational training for ABM is limited. In this paper we present the Open Educational Resources (OER) that we produced in an international cooperation. For this purpose, we created online and open tutorials for ABM for archaeologists. In addition, how-to guides and support material were created, both for teachers and students. The materials adhere to international (European) standards in relation to education and the Digital Skills Passport for archaeology. The teaching materials have been well tested using a diverse group of archaeologists during various international conferences and meetings. It was shown that the knowledge and skills of the participants in relation to ABM improved. In addition, the demand for the teaching materials and the workshops was high, ensuring that the tutorials on ABM will be used in the future.

Authors 10

1. Ronald Visser corresponding

   Saxion

   Affiliation as printed

   Saxion University of Applied Sciences

2. Karsten Lambers Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University, NL; University of Augusburg

3. Kenneth Aitchison
   Affiliation as printed

   Landward Research Teoranta

4. Annemarie Jutte

   Saxion

   Affiliation as printed

   Saxion University of Applied Sciences

5. Doug Rocks-Macqueen
   Affiliation as printed

   Landward Research Teoranta

6. Laura van der Knaap Aachen

   Leiden University · Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

7. Iza Romanowska

   Aarhus University

   Affiliation as printed

   Aarhus University

8. Tom Brughmans

   Aarhus University

   Affiliation as printed

   Aarhus University

9. Jeroen Linssen

   Saxion

   Affiliation as printed

   Saxion University of Applied Sciences

10. Adam Pažout

    Aarhus University

    Affiliation as printed

    Aarhus University