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Strategies and Rubrics for Teaching Chaos and Complex Systems Theories

This journal article explores strategies and rubrics for effectively teaching chaos and complex systems theories in geoscience education. The article discusses the logistic system, population growth, feedback mechanisms, and modeling evolutionary systems using the logistic equation. It also explores the concept of deterministic chaos and the unpredictability of system behavior.

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Strategies and Rubrics for Teaching Chaos and Complex Systems Theories

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  1. Strategies and Rubrics for Teaching Chaos and Complex Systems Theories as Elaborating, Self-Organizing, and Fractionating Evolutionary Systems Fichter, Lynn S., Pyle, E.J., and Whitmeyer, S.J., 2010, Journal of Geoscience Education (in press)

  2. The Logistic System Xnext

  3. Population Growth and the Gypsy Moth

  4. Population Growth and the Gypsy Moth rate of growth Xnext = r X this years population Next years population

  5. Population Growth and the Gypsy Moth rate of growth Xnext = r X this years population Next years population Human population growth curve

  6. Population Growth and the Gypsy Moth Negative feedback Positive feedback Xnext = r X (1-X) Equilibrium state The logistic function or logistic curve models the S-curve of growth of some set P. The initial stage of growth is approximately exponential; then, as competition arises, the growth slows, and at maturity, growth stops.

  7. Modeling an Evolutionary System Xnext :A Model of Deterministic Chaos (A.k.a. the Logistic or Verhulst Equation) (1-X) X next = rX X = population size- expressed as a fraction between 0 (extinction) and 1 (greatest conceivable population). X nextis what happens at the next iteration or calculation of the equation. Or, it is the next generation. r= rate of growth - that can be set higher or lower. It is the positive feedback. It is the “tuning knob” (1-X)acts like a regulator (the negative feedback), it keeps the growth within bounds since as X rises, 1-X falls.

  8. Modeling an Evolutionary System Xnext :A Model of Deterministic Chaos (A.k.a. the Logistic or Verhulst Equation) (1-X) X next = rX Logistic– population ranges between 0 (extinction) and 1 (highest conceivable population) Iterated– algorithm is calculated over and over Recursive – the output of the last calculation is used as the basis of the next calculation.

  9. X = .02 and r = 2.7 X next = rX (1-X) X next = (2.7) (.02) (1-.02 = .98) X next = .0529 Modeling an Evolutionary System Xnext and Deterministic Chaos Iteration X Value 0 0.0200000 1 0.0529200 2 0.1353226 3 0.3159280 4 0.5835173 5 0.6561671 6 0.6091519 7 0.6428318 8 0.6199175 9 0.6361734 10 0.6249333 11 0.6328575 12 0.6273420 13 0.6312168 14 0.6285118 15 0.6304087 16 0.6290826 17 0.6300117 18 0.6293618 44 0.6296296 45 0.6296296 46 0.6296296 47 0.6296296 48 0.6296296 49 0.6296296 50 0.6296296 X next = rX (1-X) Equilibrium state .65 .64 .62 .62 .61 .60 .58 .35 X = .02 and r = 2.7 X next = rX (1-X) X next = (2.7) (.02) (1-.02 = .98) X next = .0529 .13 .05 .02

  10. But, what about these irregularities? Are they just meaningless noise, or do they mean something? Last run at 20 generations

  11. Experimenting With Xnext and Deterministic Chaos X next = rX (1-X) A time-series diagram

  12. r = 2.7

  13. r = 2.9

  14. r = 3.0

  15. r = 3.1

  16. r = 3.3

  17. r = 3.4

  18. r = 3.5

  19. r = 3.6

  20. r = 3.7

  21. r = 3.8

  22. r = 3.9

  23. r = 4.0

  24. r = 4.1

  25. Learning Outcomes 1. Computational Viewpoint: In a dynamic system the only way to know the outcome of an algorithm is to actually calculate it; there is no shorter description of its behavior. 2. Positive/Negative Feedback Behavior stems from the interplay of positive and negative feedbacks. 3. ‘r’ Values Rate of Growth, or how hard the system is being pushed. High ‘r’ means the system is dissipating lots of energy and/or information. 4. Deterministic does not equal Predictable At high ‘r’ values the behavior of the system becomes inherently unpredictable.

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