In order to teach different modeling techniques we demonstrate equation-based, block-schema based, compartment and component-based modeling using acausal and object-oriented modeling language - Modelica. Hands-on implementation using all these techniques and comparing them towards same system (in our case glucose-insulin regulation) we teach pros and cons of each technique.
Equation-based or block-schema based may be rapidly implemented from literature. However, compartment based or component-based models brings better understanding of modeled reality.
When students have such experience, they tend to assess published papers more critically and do more complex system analysis.