Subject: Discussion at International System Dynamics Society

Posted by Sushil Bajpai on 8/22/2008
In Reply To:Discussion at International System Dynamics Society Posted by Lees N. Stuntz on 8/19/2008

Message:

Dear Lees and other members,



There is a very small, but highly committed group of teachers and SD/ST practitioners in India who are trying to encourage the use of ST/SD in K-12 and rural non-formal education in India.



The list you have provided is comprehensive. However, I would like to add a few points:



1. The SD curriculum for K-12 should reflect international collaboration and not just centre around one or two countries. The SD community should also encourage exchange of teachers and ideas – perhaps create a North-South and South-South collaborative efforts.

2. In India, we are badly constrained by non-availability of SD software in which one could work in Hindi and other Indian languages. We definitely see a lot of hope in Forio as it accepts HTML/Flash that can be used to create localised content, but these are additional skills with which we need to burden the teachers. We have some funds and resources available for translation of software and manuals if someone could get IseeSystems to agree to incorporate the translations into STELLA.

3. The cost of software is another issue.

4. We should also work at creating open learning programs for children and others who for various reasons are not able to pursue formal education. I think SD can play a crucial role in this area.

5. Environment Education is getting a massive push from both the Supreme Court and the Government in India. Further there appears to be congruence of exploring new, innovative and engaging ways of teaching about Environment and Development in K-12, pre-college and universities. I think SD can play a crucial role here.

6. Both, SD and Environment Education are integrative disciplines. If we develop SD material that helps in greening various subjects, there will be a possibility of funding opportunities as well, considering the fact that the world is waking up to the issues of resource depletion (oil prices) and excessive waste (global warming). India and China have potential to accelerate the pace of the problems staring at the humanity, and more than anywhere else, it is here that we quickly need the ST/SD inputs in K-12 curricula. We are rapidly getting locked into the path dependence of blindly aping the western model of development without adequately exploring other means. It is our belief that ST/SD provide the key to expand the temporal and spatial boundaries and well uncover the dynamics of our actions.

7. I therefore propose greater collaboration in model building and pedagogy development through North-South and South-South collaborations.

8. Funding is always an issue – particularly with highly populous and poor country like India. However, I am confident that if we all come together, we could overcome many issues.



With regards,

Sushil Bajpai

Pune, India

Follow Ups:

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