Introducing Digital Design Methods to System Dynamics Education

摘要

One of the origins of system dynamics is control theory. Thus, it is worthwhile to investigate how the growing use of digital models as means of control should affect the field of system dynamics. In particular, it would be interesting to explore how the introduction of digital models could enrich the learning of system dynamics in K-12 curriculum.This paper proposes to do so through hybrid systems modeling. Hybrid systems are dynamic systems in which a digital element controls a continuous process. The paper illustrates the relevance of hybrid systems to K-12 education, and describes how hybrid systems may be modeled by using icon-based software such as STELLA. Two examples showing an implementation that is suitable for high school students are presented as well as an outline for future research.