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ST/SD Survey
Posted by Ruth Fruland on 11/19/2003
Recently I sent out a survey to learn about teachers' experiences using ST/SD in their K-12 classes in order to help design my research related to introducing ST/SD concepts to preservice teachers. In spite of the fact that it was a bit long, I have received a few very helpful replies.
I would like a few more responses, however. So I offer two alternatives:
1. If you would prefer that I call you and have a conversation rather than your filling out a survey, I would be happy to do so if you gave me your phone number, a time you could be available (and even an indication of how long you would have to talk).
2. If you would prefer to simply provide key "do's" and "don'ts" or any insights based on your experience, that would also be helpful.
Although my ultimate goal is to support K-12 STUDENT learning, the means by which I plan to do this is by introducing ST/SD to PRESERVICE TEACHERS, for many reasons, including simply, "the sooner the better."
Because these are new ideas for most of the College of Education faculty, I will also be bringing these concepts to them. This is an extremely important, albeit, indirect and unspoken, point of my research, because I want ST/SD to be appropriated by the teachers of teachers, and ultimately mainstreamed into teacher education programs. The more evidence of its success in K-12 practice, the more seriously its usefulness in teacher education will be considered by current faculty.
I've included the survey below, for your convenience. Please reply to me only at fruland@hitl.washington.edu. I will share the results in December to the whole listserv.
Thank you for whatever you are willing to share.
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Teaching Background Information
1. Year you started teaching:
2. Current Grade/Subject(s):
3. Year you first heard about systems thinking or system dynamics:
4. Education and work experience other than teaching:
Systems-related Background Information
5. How did you learn about system dynamics?
6. Initial reaction (positive, negative, neutral, mixed):
Why?
7. Attitude after you used ST/SD in the classroom:
Why?
8. Which needs (e.g., educational goals) have you found that ST/SD supports well in practice?
a. Your teaching needs (instructional objectives, meeting standards,
etc.):
b. Your students' learning needs:
c. Ways you use ST or SD to meet these needs:
9. What are the advantages you experience when you use ST/SD rather than traditional ways of thinking, teaching and learning?
10. What are the disadvantages you experience when you use ST/SD rather than traditional ways of thinking, teaching and learning?
Student Information
11. Did you observe differences based on gender (yes, no)?
Please describe, if yes:
12. Did you observe differences based on minority status (yes, no)?
Please describe, if yes:
13. Did you observe differences based on learning styles (yes, no)?
How would you describe them?
14. Did you observe differences based on personality traits (yes, no)?
How would you describe them?
15. Did you observe differences based on academic level and learning outcomes (yes, no)?
a. High Achievers (gained, lost, no difference):
If there is a difference, what do you think may explain it?
b. Average achievers (gained, lost, no difference):
If there is a difference, what do you think may explain it?
c. Low achievers (gained, lost, no difference):
If there is a difference, what do you think may explain it?
16. Please describe any general changes that could be attributed to ST/SD related to students'
a. participation
b. motivation
c. performance
d. learning outcomes (including changes on standardized tests) e. self-efficacy as learners f. level of interest in subject matter and/or school g. other:
Cautions
17. Based on your own experiences, is there anything that you would caution me NOT TO DO when introducing ST/SD to preservice teachers?
Recommendations
18. Based on your own experiences, is there anything that you would recommend that I DEFINITELY DO when introducing ST/SD to preservice teachers?
References and Resources
19. Are there any references that have been particularly helpful in your practice that you would also recommend for my research and/or preservice teachers?
20. Are there resources you used and found particularly helpful in your practice that might make preservice teachers more open to incorporating systems thinking and system dynamics in their practice? For example, what has been your experiences with Stratagem, Fish Banks, The Systems Thinking Playbook, others?
Thank You!
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