Subject: Bored students: Another try at focusing the discussion

Posted by Connie Woodberry on 12/31/2010
In Reply To:Bored students: Another try at focusing the discussion Posted by Jay Forrester on 12/30/2010

Message:

Dear Jay

I have "listened" intently to the discussion, which has been very spirited indeed, over the past few weeks/days. For what it is worth my take on the natural despair and frustration expressed is that yes, things aren't good in the education realm but there are ways, proven ways to make things better and using the premises behind systems dynamics as well as what we know to be true, not only about how people learn, but also about how everyone in their different ways, needs to be taught may just be the right way forward.

We all crave ways to give meaning to the things we do with our lives and our time and young people locked in their classrooms are no exception.

I am not a systems dynamics expert and struggle with some of the technical aspects but I do know that the fundamental thinking behind systems thinking opens up possibilities for learning that has inspired me. I have been fortunate to have been able to introduce a highly successful industry and community supported problem based learning approach into a particularly challenging school system. While there are elements of systems dynamics, a happy accident rather than any real knowledge on my part, much more clarity is required about how specifically the philosophy and mechanics of systems thinking can be introduced and supported before I can safely conclude that formal systems dynamics is a real winner.

My motivation for joining this forum was to learn more about what I don't know and I don't know how to simply and visually demonstrate how systems dynamics can be used to identify and solve problems, extend learning and give meaning to the experience.

So here's my challenge - what would a systems dynamics approach look like for say - a group of students developing a remote water sampling and testing devise in urban wetlands?

Cheers

Connie Woodberry

Follow Ups:

Bored students: Urban Wetlands and Ecology - Tim Joy 12/31/2010 
Bored students: Urban Wetlands and Ecology - Connie Woodberry 1/1/2011