Image credit: Image: Arek Socha/ Pixabay
In this lesson, students will:
A system is a collection of parts that are arranged and connected in a specific way. Interactions between the parts within the system, and between systems, influence the stability of the system as a whole.
A systems thinker uses a wide perspective and traces interrelationships to ‘join the dots’ and draw conclusions or make predictions about a system. They note events and patterns of behaviour and understand how these are caused by system structures such as feedback loops. Systems thinkers use tools to help with their thinking, such as causal loop diagrams and models.
Students will use the Habits of a systems thinker cards (download the cards as a PDF). These cards are introduced in the lesson idea Habits of a Systems Thinker.
Whole class – Revise the habits of a systems thinker by listing and discussing them.
Seeks to understand the big picture | Observes how elements within systems change over time, generating patterns and trends |
Considers an issue fully and resist the urge to come to a quick conclusion | Uses understanding of a system structure to identify possible leverage actions |
Checks results and changes actions if needed: 'successive approximation' | Surfaces and tests assumptions |
Changes perspectives to increase understanding | Identifies the circular nature of complex cause and effect relationships |
Recognises the impact of time delays when exploring cause and effect relationships | Considers how mental models affect current reality and the future |
Recognises that a system's structure generates its behaviour | Considers short-term and long-term consequences of actions |
Pays attention to accumulations and their rates of change | Makes meaningful connections within and between systems |
Whole class – Introduce an AI application to model the application of systems thinking habits
In the following example, the focus is on using AI to assist with skin cancer detection. You could use one of the following videos to exemplify how some businesses are using AI and machine learning in the area of health. (Note: this is not an exercise in endorsing the businesses themselves.)
Ask students to consider which habits of a systems thinker apply to the problem of skin cancer detection within the healthcare system. Explain how the habit applies, and include an example.
Students may suggest habits such as:
Students complete the sentences below to revise the concepts of positive and negative feedback loops covered in the lesson idea Habits of a systems thinker.
When a change is happening in a system, a _________ feedback loop tends to dampen or buffer the change, leading to more stability.
An example is _____________________________________________________________.
When a change is happening in a system, a _________ feedback loop tends to amplify or exacerbate the change, leading to less stability.
An example is _____________________________________________________________.
Whole class – Identify any positive or negative feedback loops in the healthcare system in the context of skin cancer detection, the system discussed earlier. Draw these using causal loops.
Source: The Ripper Group
Students consider a new AI application they think will benefit society or the environment, and may use the worksheet called A new AI application to answer the questions below.