System Blocks: A Physical Interface for System Dynamics Learning

摘要

We present System Blocks, a physical interface that makes it easier for children to model andexplore dynamic systems. A set of computationally enhanced blocks, made of wood andelectronics, System Blocks can assist K-6 educators to teach the complex concepts of systemdynamics and causalities. Learning to understand dynamic systems is an essential step inunderstanding the world around us. However, learning it at university, high school or even middleschool level might be too late. By this age children have already developed their own models ofhow the world works. In this paper we will show how a set of physical objects can be used as amodeling and simulation tool, merging hands-on tinkering with computer simulation. Usingblocks that behave as stocks, flows, variables and constants, our hope is that System Blocks willenable children younger than sixth grade to model, simulate and analyze systems that aremeaningful to them.