Transparency and Interaction in System Dynamics Based Learning Environments.

This paper describes issues related to interactivity and access to underlying models and representations in system dynamics based learning environments. There is some evidence to suggest that system dynamics can be used effectively to promote understanding in complex domains (P. Davidsen, 1994, 1996; Sterman, 1988, 1997). However, there is insufficient evidence to establish whether this is in fact the case. Moreover, there has been little effort to address strategic design issues pertaining to the effective use of system dynamics in promoting learning in and about complex systems. This paper reviews relevant conceptual issues in promoting learner engagement with appropriate and relevant representations for complex domains. A unifying framework is used to describe a specific framework that provides opportunities for learner interactivity and that also capitalizes on learner access to explicit models and structures. This framework is illustrated in a simulation in which participants play the role of a leader in a multiple phase project for large-scale instructional development. (Contains 3 figures and 63 references.) (SLD)