Take a look at the following site:
http://www.clexchange.org/ and join their listserve discussion group
(recently there was a serious discussion of K-12 pedagogy).
A few years ago for third graders, I gave an introduction to systems with
some games from the above site and its links. We then walked around the
school
and the kids pointed out natural and man-made systems, identifying causal
relationships. Then we used very basic System
Dynamics modeling methods including causal loop diagrams on a white board
and then in a computer to discuss system behavior of systems of their
choice; they all chose some question about wildlife population dynamics. It
was their introduction to thinking about systems in nature and
behavior-over-time graphs (their previous knowledge of graphs was for the
most part histograms and pie charts). They realized that behavior of a
system actor does not correlate directly to system behavior.
Causal diagrams and Stock and Flow diagrams are very accessible to students
grades 3-12+. System Dynamics modeling tools only require students (and
adult stakeholders) to recognize causal links between actors of a system
followed by the
input of simple algebraic relationships. (The System Dynamics software
solves
the resulting ODEs/integrations with Eulers or Runga-Kutta). The result is
a discussion of system state change over time and its implications. With
the diagrams in front of you, students can discuss possible leverage points
to manage or change the outcomes.
Perhaps combining diagrams and computer modeling in the classroom with
nuthatch and creeper games outdoors will be an effective combination of
students' love for computers and outside exploration.
Lou
Louis Macovsky
Dynamic BioSystems
28695 SW Sandalwood Dr.
Wilsonville, OR 97070
503-570-0115
[email protected]
