Solving Real Business Problems Using System Dynamics
K-12 Students and Business People Learning Together
by
Solving Real Business Problems using System Dynamics
Paul Newton
Original draft July, 1998
Revised draft in December, 1998
667 St. James Circle
Green Bay, WI 54311
paulnewton@ibm.net
920-465-1896
Table of Contents
Background and Problem Statement 5
Solution Overview 6
Solution Detail 7
CSDM Education and High School Curriculum 7
Student interest, pre-requisites, teaching, and assessment 8
K-12 Teacher Participation in the High School Course 9
Elementary and Middle School Program 9
Full-time role for the CSDM 10
Follow-up to the First Year of the Program 10
Solution Benefits 12
Potential concerns 13
Capability of Students 13
Adequacy of One Course 15
Benefit to Businesses and Other Community Organizations 18
Opportunity 21
Vision 22
Background and Problem Statement
"System dynamics is a method for studying the world around us."[1] That "world around us" consists of the various aspects of our home life, our work life, our school life, our community life, etc. System dynamics has proven its value for improving business performance[2], and there is a significant and increasing body of evidence that system dynamics can significantly improve the learning that takes place in K-12 education[3]. Further, many people believe that a society that is more 'systemic' in its thinking would be better able to address its environmental, social, and economic problems, whether they be home, community, county, state, national, or global.
Despite these advantages, it has been difficult for both the typical businessperson and the typical K-12 teacher to take advantage of system dynamics. I think this is primarily because becoming sufficiently fluent in system dynamics to use it effectively requires more time than most working adults can spare. Many businesses and teachers end up
by
Solving Real Business Problems using System Dynamics
Paul Newton
Original draft July, 1998
Revised draft in December, 1998
667 St. James Circle
Green Bay, WI 54311
paulnewton@ibm.net
920-465-1896
Table of Contents
Background and Problem Statement 5
Solution Overview 6
Solution Detail 7
CSDM Education and High School Curriculum 7
Student interest, pre-requisites, teaching, and assessment 8
K-12 Teacher Participation in the High School Course 9
Elementary and Middle School Program 9
Full-time role for the CSDM 10
Follow-up to the First Year of the Program 10
Solution Benefits 12
Potential concerns 13
Capability of Students 13
Adequacy of One Course 15
Benefit to Businesses and Other Community Organizations 18
Opportunity 21
Vision 22
Background and Problem Statement
"System dynamics is a method for studying the world around us."[1] That "world around us" consists of the various aspects of our home life, our work life, our school life, our community life, etc. System dynamics has proven its value for improving business performance[2], and there is a significant and increasing body of evidence that system dynamics can significantly improve the learning that takes place in K-12 education[3]. Further, many people believe that a society that is more 'systemic' in its thinking would be better able to address its environmental, social, and economic problems, whether they be home, community, county, state, national, or global.
Despite these advantages, it has been difficult for both the typical businessperson and the typical K-12 teacher to take advantage of system dynamics. I think this is primarily because becoming sufficiently fluent in system dynamics to use it effectively requires more time than most working adults can spare. Many businesses and teachers end up