1. Systems Thinking Foundations in Education Equity
1.01 Systems Thinking Iceberg: Diving Beneath the Surface in Education Systems
This purpose of this brief is to unpack the Systems Thinking Iceberg as a way to organize reflection and dialogue about systemic challenges in education.
1.02 Characteristics of Complex Problems
The purpose of this brief is to share (some) characteristics of complex problems, and introduce system dynamics as a set of tools for managing this complexity.
1.03 Mental Models
The purpose of this brief is to introduce the concept of mental models, and to discuss how system dynamics tools can be used to elicit, negotiate, and transform them.
1.04 Framing Dynamic Problems
The purpose of this brief is to help the reader recognize problems as dynamic or changing over time, and to present this thinking using graphical tools such as reference modes.
1.05 Understanding Systems from a Feedback Perspective
The purpose of this brief is to introduce the concept of feedback thinking through the lens of challenges in K-12 education, and present Causal Loop Diagrams as tools to describe feedback relationships between components of a system
1.06 Accumulations
The purpose of this brief is to describe how the concept of accumulation can help us understand system behavior and to introduce how stock and flow diagrams can be used to help us model problems and find solutions in K-12 education.
1.07 System Archetypes
The purpose of this brief is to describe how education stakeholders can use system archetypes as a tool for recognizing, anticipating, and addressing the system dynamics driving the common patterns of problems in their school communities.