Subject: Discussion at International System Dynamics Society

Posted by Linda Booth Sweeney on 8/21/2008
In Reply To:Discussion at International System Dynamics Society Posted by Alice Squires on 8/19/2008

Message:

I agree with both of these recommendations, Alice. And with Steve Crowley’s


thoughts as well.

The teachers I work with appreciate what we jokingly call “The Trojan Horse”
strategy: teach systems thinking but bring it in under name, for instance,
literacy development, critical thinking, science literacy and so on.

I’m seeing some positive signs. The most recent issue of the NSTA Journal
(Science Scope, July ‘08) focuses on “Teaching Science Through a Systems
Approach” (see:
http://www.nsta.org/store/product_detail.aspx?id=10.2505/4/ss08_031_09_21).

Here’s the abstract for one article -- “Teaching Science Through a Systems
Approach” (note the one citation):

Based on the recommendation of the AAAS and the NRC, middle level science is
the rightful introduction for a systems approach, including the study of its
parts, subsystems, interconnections, and interrelationships. Dr. Seuss’s The
Lorax provides an excellent opportunity to combine ecological consequences
within a systems approach (Booth Sweeney 2001). The inquiry-based lesson
described here is designed using the 5E instructional model and develops
students’ critical-thinking skills as they create concept maps to depict the
relationships among components of a larger system. small victory: one
article even cites.

Ok, it’s a small victory but at least it’s progress. .

Linda