Subject: Thesis about learning how to model

Posted by Maria Larsson on 1/6/2010

Message:

Dear all,
I presented my Ph. D. thesis with the title “Learning System Thinking. The role of semiotic and cognitive resources” at Lund University on Dec 14. It regards the process of learning systems thinking and learning how to model, which may be an interesting topic for some of the members of the CLExchange and the System Dynamic Society. The thesis is written in English and available for all those that are interested.

Three empirical studies provide detailed analyses of video-recorded collaborative work in System Dynamics education. In a Master’s program in environmental studies, students are introduced to systems thinking and the method of creating Causal Loop Diagrams and interactive computer models for analyzing and solving complex problems. They learn how to use the terminology, symbols and methods of a specific semiotic domain. The research questions concern how interacting with systems thinking tools affect students in the process of collaboratively analyzing and modeling complex problems, and how cognitive and semiotic resources are used in this process. The study provides a conceptual lens with which to discuss and perceive the complexity of learning to express knowledge with new representational tools: both its visual and spatial formalism and the related terminology. Three theoretical perspectives are applied: the socio-cultural perspective, the social semiotic, and the constructivist perspective.

A link to the thesis including an abstract and a pdf to download:
http://www.lu.se/o.o.i.s?id=12588&postid=1503748
The headings are in Swedish. The fourth says: Fulltext. Tillgänglig som pdf. If you click on that text, the document is downloaded.

If one should prefer the printed book, it is possible to order at Bokus:
http://www.bokus.com/b/9789197738064.html

Best regards,
Maria Larsson

Lund University Cognitive Science
Sweden