| Using Dynamic Simulation to Teach Physics in a Real-World Context |
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Author(s):
Gary B. Hirsch |
Subject:
Science |
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This paper describes a family of simulators that have been developed to teach several topics in physics, including circular motion, collisions, energy storage, and heat flow. These simulators provide students with laboratories for experimenting with the phenomena in the context of real world situations such as driving, home energy conservation, and sports. The paper contrasts dynamic simulation and traditional approaches to teaching physics. It also discusses the value of simulators with "user friendly" interfaces, compared to using System Dynamics models alone. The paper describes how each phenomenon was modeled and presents interfaces for each simulator. Note: The simulator works only with Windows.
Complex Systems Connection: Incorrect High-Leverage Policies. Physical systems can be feedback-rich, complex systems, in the same manner as social systems. They can provide counterintuitive responses to leverage points. In these simulations, students can experience some of the consequences of pushing high-leverage policies in the wrong direction. |
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 PDF Zipped (Models & PDF)
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| The Systems Thinking Playbook Exercise 6: Warped Juggle |
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Author(s):
Linda Booth Sweeney, & Dennis Meadows |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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Participants in this group activity attempt to improve performance as they toss an object among individuals in a particular order.
Complex Systems Connection: Cause within System, Incorrect High-Leverage Policies. Participants attempt to improve performance by changing the structure of the system, but the action is only effective up to a point. Participants must change a mental model about the rules in order to create significant change in the system.
Available from Chelsea Green Publishers. |
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PDF
More about the book at: http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/the_systems_thinking_playbook:hardcover%20with%20dvd
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| The Systems Thinking Playbook Exercise 30: Group Juggle |
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Author(s):
Linda Booth Sweeney, & Dennis Meadows |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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Participants in this group activity attempt to improve performance on a particular task.
Complex Systems Connection: Cause within System, Incorrect High-Leverage Policies. Participants attempt to improve performance by changing the structure of the system, but the action is only effective up to a point. Participants must change a mental model about the rules in order to create significant change in the system. Available from Chelsea Green Publishers. |
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More about the book at: http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/the_systems_thinking_playbook:hardcover%20with%20dvd
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| The Systems Thinking Playbook Exercise 28: Avalanche |
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Author(s):
Linda Booth Sweeney, & Dennis Meadows |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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Given a pole, participants must lower the pole to the ground without losing contact with the pole or allowing washers to fall off the ends.
Complex Systems Connection: Cause within System, Incorrect High-Leverage Policies. As participants attempt to reach a shared goal, the tendency is to blame one another for failure rather than looking at the underlying structure of the system Available at Chelsea Green Publishers. |
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PDF
More about the book at: http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/the_systems_thinking_playbook:hardcover%20with%20dvd
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| The Systems Thinking Playbook Exercise 18: Squaring the Circle |
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Author(s):
Linda Booth Sweeney, & Dennis Meadows |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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A group holding onto a rope must reshape the rope into a square while they are blind-folded.
Complex Systems Connection: Cause within System, Incorrect High-Leverage Policies. Participants attempt to complete a task but may simply try to move in isolation rather than considering how moving more holistically will likely get better results. Available from Chelsea Green Publishers. |
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More about the book at: http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/the_systems_thinking_playbook:hardcover%20with%20dvd
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| The Systems Thinking Playbook Exercise 17: Touch Base |
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Author(s):
Linda Booth Sweeney, & Dennis Meadows |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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A group standing around a circle must cross, touch the middle, but avoid touching any other participants.
Complex Systems Connection: Cause within System, Incorrect High-Leverage Policies. Participants attempt to complete a task but may simply try to move faster rather than considering how moving slower in a more organized manner will likely get better results. Available at Chelsea Green Publishers. |
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More about the book at: http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/the_systems_thinking_playbook:hardcover%20with%20dvd
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| The Systems Thinking Playbook Exercise 13: Moon Ball |
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Author(s):
Linda Booth Sweeney, & Dennis Meadows |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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Participants attempt to improve performance by changing the structure of the system, but the action is only effective up to a point. Participants must change a mental model about the rules in order to create significant change in the system.
Complex Systems Connection: Cause within System, Incorrect High-Leverage Policies. Participants attempt to improve performance by changing the structure of the system, but the action is only effective up to a point. Participants must change a mental model about the rules in order to create significant change in the system. Available from Chelsea Green Publishers. |
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More about the book at: http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/the_systems_thinking_playbook:hardcover%20with%20dvd
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| Shape of Change (Lesson 9): The Connection Game, including Stocks and Flows |
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Author(s):
Rob Quaden, Alan Ticotsky, & Debra Lyneis |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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From "The Shape of Change." Students play a game in which their movements around the room depend on the movements of other players.
Complex Systems Connection: Ineffective Action, Incorrect High-Leverage Policies. This lesson can be used to gain an intuitive understanding of what it means to say a policy has "low leverage." This lesson can be used to gain an intuitive understanding of what it means to say a policy has "high leverage." |
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PDF
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| Modeling Dynamic Systems Section 8 |
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Author(s):
Diana Fisher |
Subject:
System Dynamics |
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Policy analysis gives students an opportunity to learn first-hand that complex systems are rich in feedback. They will experience the frustration of implementing well-meaning interventions, only to have them defeated by the feedback mechanisms of the system itself. They will learn why some policies have more leverage than others, and why those policies are often the most difficult to implement correctly in real life. |
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PDF
Link to the simulation: http://www.iseesystems.com
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| Modeling Dynamic Systems Section 7 |
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Author(s):
Diana Fisher |
Subject:
System Dynamics |
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The dynamics of epidemics can be used to impart an intuitive understanding of what it means to say a policy has "high leverage." Students can be tasked with conducting policy analysis to determine the leverage points in preventing an infectious illness from becoming an epidemic. Along the way they will learn why well-intensioned but low-leverage policies in real life often fail to have the desired effects in complex systems.
For some illness/disease, symptoms appear long after initial infection. Sometimes people travel great distance while infected because they are unaware of the infection. Medical "detectives" faced with an epidemic must understand how the infection spreads and how quickly. Delays in the system make this more difficult. |
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Link to the file: http://www.iseesystems.com
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