Subject: Discussion at International System Dynamics Society

Posted by Lees N. Stuntz on 8/19/2008

Message:

Dear Members of the list,


I have gotten several requests for the notes from the brief discussion at the ISDC in Athens on how to encourage the use of System Dynamics in K-12 education. We had a good open discussion which generated the following list. Does anyone have anything they would like to add??


I hope that everyone is having a good end of the summer.


Take care,
Lees



ISDC 2008

K-12 Open Discussion:
· Build the K-12 community SD capacity in order to develop materials.

· More organization of materials addressing all levels.

· Define sequences of SD skills.

· Identify ST/SD skills at what level we want students to have.

· Create an iterative process of assessment and skills.

· Identify gaps and address these gaps.

· Convey understanding of what SD is/ develop dynamic insights.

· Assessment research: Explore useful and careful assessment research to assess both skills and effectiveness of the use of SD in K-12.

· Develop materials in training in SD for pre-college.

· Coordination between K-12 training and “SD curriculum”

· Equal collaborative partnerships between those who know SD and K-12 educators.

· Encourage PhD dissertations centered in developing SD skills in K-12 as well as assessing materials/effectiveness.

· Encourage older (or retired) SD practitioners as pool to help.

· Encourage willingness to learn from teachers.

· Be careful about creating dichotomy between teachers and SD practitioners.

· How can we identify which teachers are prime candidates?

· Correlate SD with standards.

· Emphasize the value of SD in assisting in discovery more easily, helps with retention and deeper understanding.

Follow Ups:

Discussion at International System Dynamics Society - Sushil Bajpai 8/22/2008 
Discussion at International System Dynamics Society - David Wheat 8/22/2008
Discussion at International System Dynamics Society - Dexter Chapin 8/26/2008
Discussion at International System Dynamics Society - Jennifer Arzberger 8/27/2008
Discussion at International System Dynamics Society - Dexter Chapin 8/29/2008
Discussion at International System Dynamics Society - Stephen Crowley 8/20/2008 
Discussion at International System Dynamics Society - Cal Halliburton 8/20/2008 
Discussion at International System Dynamics Society - Gary Hirsch 8/20/2008
Discussion at International System Dynamics Society - Alice Squires 8/19/2008 
Discussion at International System Dynamics Society - Linda Booth Sweeney 8/21/2008