| Teaching Characteristics of Complex Systems in K-12 Education: Lessons Learned |
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Author(s):
Jennifer Andersen, Anne LaVigne, & Lees Stuntz |
Subject:
Research |
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This paper describes lessons learned while completing a pilot project initiated by Professor Jay Forrester through the Creative Learning Exchange. The goal of the Characteristics of Complex Systems Project (CCSP) is to create online curriculum materials for K-12 students and interested adults that will illustrate the characteristics of complex systems first enunciated by Forrester (1969) and appearing repeatedly in the systems thinking/system dynamics literature since then. The pilot project was designed to address the characteristic “The cause of the problem is within the system” through the creation of a family of models that share the generic 2nd order negative feedback loop that generates oscillation. Students can encounter these models in various formats and subject areas. Through repeated exposure to models and materials that incorporate instructional scaffolding principles , students learn to recognize the perceived problematic behavior exhibited is a consequence of the internal system structure. The lessons learned during the pilot project are being used to inform further development of curriculum materials that illustrate Forrester’s characteristics for K-12 students. |
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| The Fish Pond Story |
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Author(s):
Malcolm Brooks, & Richard Tu |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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The sample game developed by Richard Tu in Taiwan and a simple simulation used in Maine based upon that game.
Complex Systems Connection: Cause within System. In systems where renewable resources are used up, people often blame others. Decisions to use the resource faster than it can be replenished is the real cause, however. |
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| The Story of Charles: Introducing Systems Thinking Tools to the Harris School |
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Author(s):
Robert Kalman |
Subject:
Implementation |
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A school principal discusses how using systems thinking tools may help schools to move in more productive, useful directions in response to difficulties. |
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| The Systems Thinking Playbook Exercise 10: Teeter Totter |
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Author(s):
Linda Booth Sweeney, & Dennis Meadows |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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Participants must work together as a team to successfully complete the goal of getting on and off a teeter-totter. The focus is on how teams interdependently function within a defined environment.
Complex Systems Connection: Cause within System. The structure of the teeter totter system creates inherent delays. The participants may not realize how those delays in combination with their individual actions impact the overall success of the team. 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 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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| The Systems Thinking Playbook Exercise 16: Balancing Tubes |
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Author(s):
Linda Booth Sweeney, & Dennis Meadows |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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Individuals balance a newspaper tube on a flat palm. By looking at different parts of the tube, they are either better or worse able to keep the tube balanced.
Complex Systems Connection: ause within System. The exercise creates a balancing, and in this case, oscillating system. The oscillation is built into the structure of the system that includes all the parts along with the physics (e.g. gravity). 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 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 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 20: Dog Biscuits and See Saws |
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Author(s):
Linda Booth Sweeney, & Dennis Meadows |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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A pair working together attempt to balance a see saw in which they can each see only one of the ends. CS connecton: Cause within System, Short and Long Term Conflicts. The exercise creates a conflict between a short-term goal to put as many objects on the see saw as possible and a long-term goal of keeping the system balanced. Also, the balancing nature of the system creates the behavior that's seen over time, which is a building block to more complex systems. 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 22: Postcard Stories |
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Author(s):
Linda Booth Sweeney, & Dennis Meadows |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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CS connection: Cause within System. Small groups work together to use postcards to create a "story" of a feedback loop structure. By changing the structure of the system, they get a different set of cause and effect relationships, thus a different story. This concept of feedback/interdependence is an underlying concept within more complex systems. 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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