Using Systems Thinking Strategy in an Environment Course

Abstract

This study deals with the development of students' systems thinking skills in a college course. Data were collected to answer the following research questions: 1. What are the factors influencing the development of students' systems thinking ability? and 2. What kinds of relationships are existent among the cognitive components of systems thinking? A general education course, Science and Environment, in which the objectives were established to improve students' abilities for making investigations, evaluating environmental information, and taking environmental actions. Thirty-four college students from various technology-related majors participated in this course. The study was situated in a classroom context; normal assessment practices were used to document students' perceptions about the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) (the so-called Mad Cow Disease).Analysis of individual student system maps revealed that most students were able to identify the elements of the issue from different perspectives and recognize the operations of and interactions between elements at the beginning of this teaching unit. Results of the post-course assessment showed that the students' systems thinking traits could be categorized in the Levels 4 and 5. In the interviews, the students reflected the drawing of system maps, which could help them consider a complex issue comprehensively and be more considerate while making decisions.