| Economics and System Dynamics for Young Students |
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Author(s):
Debra Lyneis, Rob Quaden, & Alan Ticotsky |
Subject:
Social Studies |
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Today's students need an understanding of economics and system dynamics to participate effectively and fully in our complex global economy, but very few schools teach either discipline. Carlisle, Massachussetts teachers have developed several basic econom |
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| Effective Use of Simulations in the Classroom |
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Author(s):
(Martha) Jane Dunkel Chilcott |
Subject:
Implementation |
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From Catalina Foothills School District. This paper provides information that will help teachers understand what a simulation is as well as when and why to use one. Both system dynamics simulations and role-playing simulations are explained and related to each other. Detailed information is provided to help teachers implement simulations in the classroom. |
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| Epidemics Game Packet |
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Author(s):
Will Glass |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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From Catalina Foothills School District. This packet includes a description of a simple game to be played in a classroom or with other groups of people as well as follow up exercises. Includes: a) Teaching System Dynamics: Looking at Epidemics (William Glass). Material for teaching system dynamics concepts through a game based on the spread of an epidemic. It includes models, exercises for students, and teacher guidelines. Requires a Macintosh computer and STELLA software if the entire packet is used. b) The Epidemic Game -- Observations (William Glass). A supplemental description of using the Epidemics game in the classroom.
Complex Systems Connection: Separate Cause and Effect.
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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| Everyday Behavior Over Time Graphs. |
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Author(s):
Gene Stamel, & Debra Lyneis |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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This paper gives general suggestions and specific lessons for using behavior over time graphs in language arts, math, social studies, and science. After an introduction and a little bit of practice, students become skilled at using the graphs to both understand patterns of change and express their ideas about them. |
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| EVERYDAY STOCKS and FLOWS PROBLEM SETS for MIDDLE GRADES |
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Author(s):
Alan Ticotsky |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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Stock/flow diagrams and computer modeling are wonderful tools to help us understand and solve complex problems and systems. But they should not be reserved only for those complex scenarios. Teaching young students to draw stock/flow diagrams to understand simpler problems helps them to begin thinking systemically. Using eleven familiar and common situations, this series of problem sets designed for middle school students makes the tools accessible and comprehensible. |
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| Expanding Your Tool Kit: Developing Critical Thinking Skills with System Dynamics |
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Author(s):
Torrey McMillan |
Subject:
Conference |
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In this workshop, appropriate for K-12 teachers or administrators with little to no background in Systems Thinking, we will explore the use of Systems Thinking as an analytical tool to promote complex thinking, research skills, and communication. We will review a range of assignments and applications of Systems Thinking, particularly in the context of global sustainability issues such as poverty, economic development, climate change, and ecosystem health. Participants will practice Systems Thinking, including construction and interpretation of behavior-over-time graphs and causal loop diagrams.
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| Experiences in Developing Single-Discipline and Cross-Curricular Models for Classroom Use |
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Author(s):
Ron Zaraza, & Diana Fisher |
Subject:
Project Histories |
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From CC-STADUS. The experiences of the CC-STADUS staff and participants in the CC-STADUS Project lead to recommendations and suggestions for model development and documentation, and training programs for teachers. Presented at the 1996 International Syste |
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| Fish Banks Packet |
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Author(s):
System Dynamics in Education Project |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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A curriculum to use with Fish Banks, Ltd., a simulation game developed and marketed by Dennis Meadows. Includes: a) Renewable Resource Depletion: A Systems Approach to the Tragedy of the Commons (Matthew C. Halbower). Supplemental materials for Fish Banks, Ltd. This paper is designed to accompany the Fish Banks game. It explains system concepts, proposes exercises, and describes the Fish Banks model. Requires a Macintosh computer and STELLA software. b) The Tragedy of the Commons (Garret Hardin). A discussion of the problems in the use of common resources. (Paper only: c) Fishing in the News. Assorted newspaper clippings to indicate the relevance of Fish Banks for today's fishing industry.)
Complex Systems Connection: Cause within System.
Locally rational choices (such as trying to maximize your own catch of fish) can lead to problems for everyone when the resource disappears. A "Tragedy of the Commons" simulation such as Fish Banks can help students to understand that the structure of a system gives rise to the observed behavior pattern. It does no good to place blame on others when actors in the system are causing their own problems! |
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Zipped (Models & PDF)
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| FishBanks Simulation Guide |
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Author(s):
Anne laVigne |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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FishBanks is an online multi-user simulation to explore the management of a marine fishery. The simulation, created through MIT, is available for educators to use at no cost. Students experience the difficulties of managing a renewable resource, seeing how short-term goals can interfere with long-term success. The lesson includes student handouts, introduction and debriefing slideshows, and a technical guide. |
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| Focus on Folk Tales and Fairy Tales |
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Author(s):
Tori Christopher, & Anne LaVigne |
Subject:
English |
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From Catalina Foothills School District. Students read folk tales and fairy tales and use systems concepts and tools to analyze the events, patterns, structures and mental models within them. |
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