Systems Thinking & System Dynamics

There are several key concepts important to systems thinking and system dynamics that can be incorporated into an introductory geoscience course.

These include:

• Equilibrium and stability
  • System's behavior over time
  • linear thinking
  • Delays
• Positive and negative feedback loops
• closed loop and system thinking
  • Daisy World Example

The links above explore each topic in enough detail so that you could start introducing these ideas into your course. References are also provided for those interested in exploring these ideas more deeply.

References

• http://www.systemswiki.org/ Introduction to Systems Thinking
• Creative Learning exchange: A great site for resources. Although billed as primarily for K-12 educators this site has some great material to expose you to systems thinking and is a good resource for preconstructed "Stella" models that apply to geoscience.
• Ford, Andrew. 2009. Modeling the Environment: An Introduction to System Dynamics Modeling of Environmental Systems , Island Press, Washington D.C.
• Kim, Daniel. 1995. "Systems Thinking Tools: A User's Reference Guide" Part of the Toolbox Reprint Series. Pegasus Communications Inc.
• MIT System Dynamics in Education Project (SDEP) ( This site may be offline. )
• Roberts, N., D. Andersen, R. Deal, M. Garet, W. Shaffer. 1983. "An Introduction to Computer Simulation: A System Dynamics Modeling Approach. " Productivity Press, Portland, Oregon.
• Ruddiman, W. 2001. "Earth's Climate: Past and Future" W.H Freeman and Co., New York.
• Road Maps (more info) at the System Dynamics in Education Project has lots of information on learning systems dynamics with Stella II, good articles and some textbook chapters in PDF format.

Resource List

• Modeling the environment: an introduction to system dynamics models of environmental systems. (citation and description)
  
• Earth's climate: past and future. Ruddiman, 2001 This book deals with the history and mechanisms of climate change. (citation and description)