Systems Thinking: Tools for Interdisciplinary Learning

1. L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

2. Systems Thinking: Tools for Interdisciplinary Learning Lisa Kensler Assistant Professor Educational Leadership May 8, 2013 L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

3. Seeing wholes and understanding complexity SYSTEMS THINKING L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

4. Ludwig von Bertalanffy 1901 (Vienna) – 1972 (New York) Mathematical model of individual growth (biologist) General Systems Theory L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

5. “Von Bertalanffy opened up something much broader and of much greater significance than a single theory (which, as we now know, can always be falsified and has usually an ephemeral existence): he created a new paradigm for the development of theories."Laszlo Org Theory Systems Dynamics Learning Theory Computer Science Psychology Engineering General Systems Theory Bertalanffy (1930’s-1950’s) Sociology Physics Anthropology Ecology Chemistry Biology L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

6. Sustainability Organizational Learning Meadows, 1941-2001 Fifth Discipline, Senge(1990) Bill Isaacs Jay Forrester, 1918- present Ed Schein, 1928- present Chris Argyris, 1923- present David Bohm, 1917-1992 Douglas McGregor, 1906-1964 Communities of Practice Kurt Lewin, 1890-1947 Lave, Wenger (1991) John Dewey, 1859-1952 Bateson, 1904-1980 Mead, 1901-1978 L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

7. Systems thinking is a discipline for seeing wholes. It is a framework for seeing interrelationships rather than things, for seeing patterns of change rather than static 'snapshots.' It is a set of general principles -- distilled over the course of the twentieth century, spanning fields as diverse as the physical and social sciences, engineering, and management.... During the last thirty years, these tools have been applied to understand a wide range of corporate, urban, regional, economic, political, ecological, and even psychological systems. And systems thinking is a sensibility -- for the subtle interconnectedness that gives living systems their unique character. Peter Senge L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

8. "All the important problems we face are systemic problems: the survival of the planet's ecology, world peace, the elimination of hunger and disease, the education of youth, and social justice--just to name a few. Over the past several decades the systemic nature of these complex problems has gradually entered the public's consciousness. Complex problems are systemic, complex problems are counterintuitive, systemic problems are everywhere, systemic problems are messy problems."  Hutchins L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

9. www.watersfoundation.org L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

10. ICEBERG MODEL • React to Events – What do we notice? • Describe the Patterns and Trends • Identifythe Systemic Structures - causal relationships • Transform our Mental Models L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

11. ICEBERG MODEL • React to Events – What do we notice? • Describe the Patterns and Trends • Identifythe Systemic Structures - causal relationships • Transform our Mental Models TOOLS Describe what you notice. Behavior over Time Graphs  Connection Circles & Causal Loop Diagrams  Identify the Mental Models L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

12. What do we notice? Walkability in Auburn Walkscore = 37 [Car Dependent] L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

13. What has been happening over time? Behavior over time graphs L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

14. Patterns and Trends Behavior over time Graphs (BOTGs) -Represent your perception -General trends OR -Data intensive -Detailed BEHAVIOR – be specific – define your scale! TIME – define your scale! – seconds, days, years? L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

15. DATA INTENSIVE DETAILED L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

16. Walkability in Auburn -Represent your perception -General trends OR -Data intensive -Detailed BEHAVIOR – be specific – define your scale! TIME – define your scale! – seconds, days, years? L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

17. What is related to these trends? Connection circles L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

18. www.watersfoundation.org L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

19. Walkability in Auburn What factors are related to walkability? [Use nouns/noun phrases that +/-] L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

20. www.walkscore.com L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

21. What are the systemic structures? Causal Loop diagrams L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

22. Unclassified document from the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – 12/2009 CLD’s may be simple to VERY COMPLEX L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

23. Walkability in Auburn L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

24. BOTGs describe WHAT happens in a system (observed patterns) CLDs explain WHY (BEWARE: CLDs are always a simplified representation of reality!)

25. What is the thinking that perpetuates these systemic structures? Mental Models L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

26. ICEBERG MODEL • React to Events – What do we notice? • Describe the Patterns and Trends • Identifythe Systemic Structures - causal relationships • Transform our Mental Models L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)

27. Thank YOU!!! L.A.W. Kensler (lisakensler@auburn.edu)