Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000
To: k-12sd <k-12sd@sysdyn.mit.edu>
From: Ed Gallaher <gallaher@mail.teleport.com>
Subject: Anchored perceptual scales

John makes some interesting comments on anchored vs. unanchored scales. I
can see where this could be quite valuable in many ways, but there would
still be unavoidable caveats.
For example, I've never been plagued with migraine headaches. At least I
don't think I have, but then again, how do I know what other people are
feeling, and what is described as a migraine?
Therefore, my perception of a severe headache may not match someone else's.
This is OK, so long as we don't put too much stock in the anchoring
procedure.
Along the same lines, I know, or at least I think I know, what green looks
like. But I don't really know for sure what -you- see when you see green!
John also makes an important point - we certainly cannot count on a pain
level of 4 as being twice as much pain as a 2. The best we can hope is that
we have a reasonable rank order with 0 being no pain, 10 being maximal
imaginable pain (which in fact has never been experienced by most of us; or
at least most of us males). Gradations in between would be approximate at
best.
Ed Gallaher

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From: Larreynaga@aol.com
Date: Mon, 1 May 2000
Subject: on Tipping Points
To: k-12sd@sysdyn.mit.edu

Dear Will,

You were right on about Gladwell. Thanks for the tip on Tipping Points. I
notice several people have checked it out (including me).
Aint it ironic that the book explaining word of mouth phenomena is
getting some?

Best regards,
Bob Kalman

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From: dsmith@lasalle.edu
Subject: Stream Analysis
To: k-12sd <k-12sd@sysdyn.mit.edu>
Date: Tue, 2 May 2000

I can't help you with chemical or biological issues, but I have had
students build models for storm hydrographs. A storm will typically cause
a rapid rise in stream discharge, which will then fall off exponentially.
If students have rain gauge data and stream discharge data, (which they can
collect themselves or get online) then they can generate a model using a
section of stream as a stock, using a pulsed input for runoff from the
rainfall, and using a feedback loop to link the discharge to the amount of
water in the stream. The results of the model can then be used to evaluate
the potential for flooding in other rainfall events, the amount of rainfall
that runs off compared to the total amount, or the contribution of
groundwater to the stream flow.
Dave
David Lee Smith, Ph.D.
Director of Academic Operations
Institute for Advancement of Mathematics and Science Teaching
Associate Professor of Geology, Environmental Science, and Physics
La Salle University, 1900 W. Olney Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19141

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Date: Tue, 02 May 2000
From: Mike Gallagher <mgallagh@smate.wwu.edu>
To: k-12sd <k-12sd@sysdyn.mit.edu>
Subject: Stream Analysis

David,
Can you point me to some hydrograph sites that have associated rain gauges? I
can find loads of hydrographs, but the rain data is difficult to get.
Mike
mgallagh@smate.wwu.edu

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From: "Curtis Lee" <clee@spusd.k12.ca.us>
To: "'k-12sd'" <k-12sd@sysdyn.mit.edu>
Subject: RE: on Tipping Points

Date: Wed, 3 May 2000
Hi,
Worth noting that Kevin Kelly, in "New Rules for a New Economy", does an
excellent job of explaining how "tipping points" manifest themselves
repeatedly via the "network effect" of massively interconnected nodes (fax
machines, email, Instant Messaging, Napster, etc.). It is practically a must
read for those who want to leverage this effect for change. I particularly
like his mantra about ubiquity.
More is different.
His previous book, Out of Control, is also a really accessible look at the
behaviors of complex systems, both natural and man-made. I think they both
would make excellent reading for juniors and seniors as part of a "systems
awareness" unit.

Thanks,
Curtis Lee
Director of Instructional Technology
South Pasadena Unified School District
Tel: 626.441.5700 x1134
Fax: 626.441.8262
Cell: 626.665.9870
Email: clee@spusd.k12.ca.us
 

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Date: Thu, 11 May 2000
To: k-12sd@sysdyn.mit.edu
From: "WatersCenter WatersCenter" <wat-cent@trinityvt.edu>
Subject: Training announcement

INTRODUCTORY TRAINING IN SYSTEM DYNAMICS FOR EDUCATORS
The Waters Center for System Dynamics is offering "Introduction to Systems
Thinking and Systems Tools" this summer. This is the first and
prerequisite course in a five-course sequence leading to a Certificate in
System Dynamics for Educators. A general description of this course (CSED
341) and the Certificate in general can be found at our web-site:
http://www.trinityvt.edu/waters/Services/GradCert/GradCert.htm
We are planning to offer this course at two times and locations this summer
(our web site will be updated to reflect this as soon as we are convinced
that the of the recent LoveBug infestation has been fully cleaned up; the
current information available on our site concerning content, organization,
and costs of this course ARE still fundamentally accurate):
10-14 July; Trinity College in Burlington, VT. We will use College
facilities and housing (the latter at a nominal charge) for a week's
intensive introduction to the tools and underlying mindset of System
Dynamics.
24-28 July; Sturgeon Bay, WI. We are contracting to offer this course to a
cohort of educators from NE Wisconsin. We anticipate that space (limited
to some degree) will be available for other participants who might wish to
join this particular session. If time or travel constraints limit your
ability to participate in the first session at Trinity, please contact us
to explore the possibility of joining this second section.
If you are interested in either of these opportunities, or subsequent
courses in the Certificate (we anticipate conducting the second course,
CSED 342, which focuses on building computer simulations, through an
on-line format in the fall), please contact us by one of the means below.
Thank you very much for your attention and interest.

John Heinbokel
Director, Waters Center for System Dynamics
(802) 846-7230 (Waters Center - voice)
(802) 846-7001 (fax)
wat-cent@trinityve.edu
http://www.trinityvt.edu/waters/

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Date: Tue, 09 May 2000
From: Marion Brady <mbrady@digital.net>
To: k-12sd <k-12sd@sysdyn.mit.edu>
Subject: Article

From: Marion Brady
Cocoa, Florida
<mbrady@digital.net>
I have the feature article in this month's Kappan, if anyone is
interested.
http://www.pdkintl.org/kappan/kappan.htm

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Date: Wed, 24 May 2000
From: William Costello <WILL@cvumail.cvu.cssd.k12.vt.us>
To: k-12sd@sysdyn.mit.edu
Subject: DynaminQUEST results

DynamiQUEST 2000: a resounding success!
On Fri/Sat, May 19-20, at Trinity College's Delehanty Hall, 38 Grade 5-12
students from the U.S and Canada exhibited 20 projects that utilized
systems thinking and dynamic modeling to address complex issues or
questions. Topics ranged from population growth to an analysis of "Native
Son", building and managing a resort spa to chemical dynamics of
oscillating clock reactions, dynamic analysis of the "Giver" to production
and distribution dynamics of a supermarket, and many others!
Student work was evaluated by "coaches"(professional systems specialists)
who met with students and reviewed their work. Students were given
feedback on what was accomplished, what "better questions" could be asked,
and instructed on how to take some "next steps." The "coaching staff"
included George Richardson (Rockefeller College at SUNY, Albany), Richard
Karash (consultant), Ginny Wiley (Pres., Pegasus Communications), Jeff
Potash (Vermont historian), Tim Lucas (School Superintendent, NJ), Dessa
Dancy (Leslie College), Lees Stuntz and Deb Lyneis(CLE), and David Packer
and Paul Newton (Consultants). Several professionals in the field, as well
as a number of Vermont educators, also attended.
The 2-day event was sponsored by Jay W. Forrester (MIT), Pegasus
Communications, Amber Blocks Consultants, Ventana Systems, Pugh-Roberts
Assoc., and the Waters Center for System Dynamics (Trinity College of
Vermont)

.
Hope to see you all at DynamiQUEST 2001 in the Boston area!

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Date: Wed, 31 May 2000
From: "RICHARD TURNOCK" <Richard_Turnock@pgn.com>
To: k-12sd@sysdyn.mit.edu
Subject: Re: DynaminQUEST results

Congratulations on having a successful event!!!!!
Maybe we can infect another location to have a similar event.
Richard
richard_turnock@pgn.com
503-464-8503

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End of May 2000