Using ecology to enhance everyday reasoning: the case of interdependent and reciprocal causality

GEORGIOS AMPATZIDIS, MARIDA ERGAZAKI

Abstract

This paper reports on a case study performed in the 3rd cycle of a developmental research that concerns the design of a CSCL environment of ecology for university students. Our focus here is set on using this environment to help students develop ‘interdependent reciprocal thinking’ about everyday cause-and-effect relationships. To do this, we drew upon the function of feedback loops (a) in ecosystems, (b) in everyday life, and (c) per se, respectively through NetLogo-models, familiar examples, and experiential activity. Analyzing the 44 participants’ pre/post responses showed that a better understanding of how causality works in everyday contexts was finally reached.

Full Text:

PDF

References

Assaraf, O. B.-Z., & Orion, N. (2005). Development of system thinking skills in the context of earth system education. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 42(5), 518-560.

Boersma, K., Waarlo, A. J., & Klaassen, K. (2011). The feasibility of systems thinking in biology education. Journal of Biological Education, 45(4), 190-197.

Driver, R., Asoko, H., Leach, J., Scott, P., & Mortimer, E. (1994). Constructing scientific knowledge in the classroom. Educational Researcher, 23(7), 5-12.

Gibbs, G. R. (2005). Qualitative data analysis: explorations with NVivo. Maidenhead, England: Open University Press.

Green, D. G., Klomp, N., Rimmington, G., & Sadedin, S. (2006). Complexity in Landscape Ecology. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.

Gunderson, L. H., Allen, C. R., & Holling, C. S. (Eds). (2010). Foundations of ecological resilience. Washington, DC: Island Press.

Gunderson, L. H., & Holling, C. S. (Eds). (2002). Panarchy: understanding transformations in human and natural systems. Washington, DC: Island Press.

Holling, C. S. (1973). Resilience and stability of ecological systems. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 4(1), 1-23.

Klaassen, C. W. J. M. (1995). A problem-posing approach to teaching the topic of radioactivity. Ultrecht, Netherlands: CD-ß Press.

Mella, P. (2012). Systems thinking: intelligence in action. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer.

Mitchell, M. (2009). Complexity: a guided tour. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Richmond, B. (2004). An introduction to systems thinking. Lebanon, NH: Isee systems.

Scheffer, M. (2009). Critical transitions in nature and society. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Schmitz, O. (2010). Resolving ecosystem complexity. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Sweeney, L. B., & Sterman, J. D. (2007). Thinking about systems: student and teacher conceptions of natural and social systems. System Dynamics Review, 23(2-3), 285-311.

Wilensky, U. (1999). NetLogo. http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/. Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling, Northwestern University. Evanston, IL.


DOI: https://doi.org/10.26220/rev.2788

View Counter: Abstract | 597 | times, and PDF | 354 | times



Re S M ICT E | ISSN: 1792-3999 (electronic), 1791-261X (print) | Laboratory of Didactics of Sciences, Mathematics and ICT, Department of Educational Sciences and Early Childhood Education - University of Patras.

Pasithee | Library & Information Center | University of Patras