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Dissertation
FOSTERING SYSTEMS THINKING AS A BASIS FOR PARADIGM CHANGE IN LEARNING: EXPLORATIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Washington State University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
01/2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000005471
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/118975
Abstract
The focus on systems has been a part of science education for many decades, and more recently there has been a new emphasis on teaching with a “systems thinking” approach. Integrating systems thinking methods involves enhancing a student’s understanding the complexity of systems, particularly the interactions that occur within and outside of the system. The use of systems thinking skills, habits, and tools has been shown to be an effective pedagogical approach for use in science education. The appropriate implementation and instruction of these habits and tools is vital to developing systems thinking skills and a holistic approach to problem-solving. This dissertation explores the background of systems thinking and traditional education, the development and integration of systems thinking in an undergraduate environmental science course, and the analysis of individual students’ development of systems thinking competencies and skills. This dissertation begins with an in-depth literature review that analyzes the benefits of shifting from traditional to a more holistic education setting that includes systems thinking and a better understanding of cognitive approaches. The next section details a revised systems thinking taxonomy which not only considers the cognitive domain but the affective domain of learning as well in connection with systems thinking. The first study investigates how different individual learning approaches of students impact how effectively they use and develop systems thinking tools and skills. The final study investigated student’s application of key systems thinking tools and habits when addressing a real-world issue concerning the food-energy-water nexus. The dissertation concludes that using systems thinking as an educational method can vastly help improve how students approach problem-solving situations with a systems lens. The final chapter ends with lessons learned and the next steps of systems thinking education in the realm of environmental science.
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Details
- Title
- FOSTERING SYSTEMS THINKING AS A BASIS FOR PARADIGM CHANGE IN LEARNING: EXPLORATIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
- Creators
- Jennifer Elizabeth Johnson
- Contributors
- Allyson Beall King (Advisor)Catherin Cooper (Committee Member)Francene Watson (Committee Member)Lisa Shipley (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- School of the Environment (CAHNRS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 218
- Identifiers
- 99900592056201842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation