If you don't mind tracking down books, I would recommend a few that do a good job introducing modeling.
B.S. Bennett, "Simulation Fundamentals" covers basic simulation from a programmer's perspective. It covers both discrete and continuous systems. It has an "older" feel to it than many resources (for instance, it compares analog vs digital computer implementations), but for me this basic approach made it a useful introduction.
Andrew Ford, "Modeling the Environment: An introduction to system dynamics modeling of environmental systems" is nice because it looks at real (albeit simplified) environmental systems, which gives it a useful grounding. Focus is continuous systems (i.e., characterized by ordinary differential equations).
Arthur Few, "System Behavior and System Modeling" treats simpler systems than Ford's book. I recall this being a very direct, easy-to-read book (I was researching books to teach systems dynamics to high school students). Unfortunately, this one may be hard to find now.
B.S. Bennett, "Simulation Fundamentals" covers basic simulation from a programmer's perspective. It covers both discrete and continuous systems. It has an "older" feel to it than many resources (for instance, it compares analog vs digital computer implementations), but for me this basic approach made it a useful introduction.
Andrew Ford, "Modeling the Environment: An introduction to system dynamics modeling of environmental systems" is nice because it looks at real (albeit simplified) environmental systems, which gives it a useful grounding. Focus is continuous systems (i.e., characterized by ordinary differential equations).
Arthur Few, "System Behavior and System Modeling" treats simpler systems than Ford's book. I recall this being a very direct, easy-to-read book (I was researching books to teach systems dynamics to high school students). Unfortunately, this one may be hard to find now.