Denise E. Dedman, Ph.D. & Kathleen Woehrle, Ph.D ... · Dedman & Woehrle - Social Work Dept. Fun & Games with Systems Theory: Interactivities for Learning Denise E. Dedman, Ph.D.

Dedman & Woehrle - Social Work Dept.

Fun & Games with Systems Theory:

Interactivities for Learning

Denise E. Dedman, Ph.D. & Kathleen Woehrle, Ph.D.

University of Michigan—Flint

Presented March 19, 2009 at BPD Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ


Systems thinking became fun and games...

• Over time....since early 1990s

• Moved from reading assignment

(Anderson, Carter & Lowe) to an

abridged version w/ case study

• Study guide / vocabulary words

• Class case study

• Toys as demo in lecture, MIT beer game

• Experiential learning

http://beergame.mit.edu/



Kolb’s model of experiential learning


Application of Kolb’s model

• Concrete: play at designated stations

• Observation & reflection: at each

station, and through discussion with

peers

• Forming abstract concepts: journaling

about the systems principles they saw

• Testing in new situations: applying to a

case study


Concept Distribution

Activity Principle 1:

3 levels of

system

Principle 2:

Connected,

boundaries,

energy

Principle 3:

Equilibrium,

feedback

Principle 4:

Context

YoYo &

Puzzle + +Parachute

+ +Slinky

+ + +Obstacles

+ +


• Principle 1: Levels of systems

• Principle 2: Systems are connected

• Principle 3: Systems maintain equilibrium

• Principle 4: Systems exist in a context

Principles of Systems Theory


Principle 1: Levels of System Ecology:

–Microsystem

–Mezzosystem (meso)

–Macrosystem


Slinky


Microsystem

• An individual, group or family

• One’s physical state

• The smallest social interactions within

primary relationships

• Usually based on enduring, intimate

(close) relationships


Mezosystem

• The relationships of micro systems

interacting with each other

• The client’s immediate social network

• Can include agency service delivery

systems


Micro

Micro

Micro

Mezzo


Micro

Micro

Micro

Mezzo

Micro

Micro

Micro

Micro

Micro

Micro


Macrosystem

• The upper levels of a bureaucracy

• Values, cultural ideals

• Concerns of society on a large scale


Micro

Micro

Micro

Mezzo

Macro

Micro

Micro

Micro

Micro


Principle 2: Systems are Connected

• Boundaries: define a system and its

internal operations

• Open systems: permeable; allow for

growth, input, output, interactions

• Closed systems: no input, no interactions

from outside, entropy

• Energy exchange: systems interact

through exchange of energy


YoYo & Puzzles


Principle 3: Systems maintain equilibrium

• Homeostatic balance--relatively fixed

interaction pattern & rigid control on relationship

patterns

– Minimal adjustments, quick return to previous

state

• Steady state balance--dynamic balance &

favors responding to environmental change

– Enacts flexible roles and functions, sustains

these adaptations after the change has been

resolved.


Obstacle Course


Pothole

• You maneuver around it in a quick

adjustment, without changing your

direction of travel, and resume your path.

Homeostatic balance


Detour

• You must stop your direction of travel

and change your route. May take a

while.

Steady state balance


Feedback

• Either there is no data (feedback) coming

in (negative feedback = none)

• Or there is feedback (positive feedback)

indicating a change (adjustment) is

needed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EguLmX3o30w


Reinforcing feedback

http://www.systems-thinking.org/arch/arch.htm


Balancing feedback



Braking feedback



Principle 4: Systems exist in a context

• Context has two elements, time and place

• Time:

–biological, historical and political time

• Place:

–geographic, political and psychological

place


Parachute

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EguLmX3o30w


Edgar

Ms. Smith

Mike

Mezzo

Mother, grands

Principal,

Sch. Bd.parents

Macro

AfterColumbine:

Macro-system=

State & national

beliefs changed &

legislation was

passed to require

that Mike be

suspended

180 days if he brings

a little knife

BeforeColumbine:

Macro-system=

Community,

State, national

beliefs & values

regarding school

allow Ms. Smith

to take away the

little knife Mike

brought


Timeline of systems perspective in social work

• Hearn, Gordon (1958, 1969)

• van Bertalanffy, (1971) (physics and

biology)

• Pincus & Minahan (1973)

• Siporin (1975) (ecological systems)

• Bronfenbrenner (1979) (eco. systems)

• Payne (2005)


References

• Ambrosino, R., Heffernan, J., Shuttlesworth, G., & Ambrosino, R. (2001).Social Work and Social Welfare: An Introduction. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

• Anderson, R. E., Carter, I, & Lowe, G. R. (1999) Human behavior in the social environment: A social systems approach. Hawthorne, NY: Aldine de Gruyter.

• Li, M. & Simchi-Levi, D (2002). The web based beer game. Retrieved on June 2, 2008 from http://beergame.mit.edu/guide.htm

• Longres, J. F. (2000). Human Behavior in The Social Environment. (3rd ed). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

• O’Connor, J. & McDermott, I. (1997). The Art of Systems Thinking. San Francisco, CA: Thorsons.

• Senge, P. (1990). The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. New York: Currency Doubleday.

• Smith, D. M., & Kolb, D. A. (1986). Users guide for the learning style inventory: A manual for teachers and trainers. Boston, MA: McBer & Co.

• [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Denise E. Dedman, Ph.D. & Kathleen Woehrle, Ph.D ... · Dedman & Woehrle - Social Work Dept. Fun & Games with Systems Theory: Interactivities for Learning Denise E. Dedman, Ph.D.

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