Subject: Introducing System Dynamics to grade 8 students

Posted by John F. Heinbokel on 1/15/2009
In Reply To:Introducing System Dynamics to grade 8 students Posted by Anthony Vassallo on 1/15/2009

Message:

I hope this doesn't sound too non-responsive, but I'm curious, before trying to answer that question, why YOU ARE planning to introduce them to SD.

In our experience there are two broad approaches to such an introduction in the educational system: 1) providing generic instruction, skills, insights in SD as a tool- and skill-set that can be applied across a wide range of problems. Or 2) using specific SD skills and tools to help address a specific problem that you would otherwise want/need to address. Such a problem might reside within a particular disciplinary field, span across multiple fields, or focus on organizational or behavioral issues.

Either approach can work but each needs to be targeted to the specific objective. They are very different in the approach that would be used to provide student motivation, the actual sequence of activities used in the classroom, and the expectations of take-away (say 1 - 10 year retention) learning.

I suspect that if you share with this group a bit more detail on your hopes and aspirations with this activity, we'll be able to provide some more focused assistance.

john

Follow Ups:

Introducing System Dynamics to grade 8 students - Anthony Vassallo 1/16/2009 
Introducing System Dynamics to grade 8 students - Niall Palfreyman 1/16/2009