Creating engaging courseware using system dynamics

摘要

There is much discussion in the instructional technology literature concerning the importance for engaging courseware, especially in contrast to page-turning courseware. While we believe that there is a useful place for simple, page-turning courseware (e.g., in tutorials accompanying software products, for overview introductions to a topic, etc.), we agree that for more sophisticated and complex learning situations the key to a successful learning environment is the degree to which learners are cognitively engaged with the subject matter. System dynamics has been shown to be an effective tool in managing (representing, modeling, and comprehending) the complexities of domains that involve complex structures, especially those characterized by feedback loops, delays, and uncertainty (Forrester, 1961, 1985, 1992; Senge, 1990). In this paper, we shall suggest a framework for using system dynamic tools and technologies as the basis for constructing highly engaging learning environments.