Systems Thinking at schools and universities

Schools and universities around the world use the iMODELER to teach the method of "systems thinking" as a key competence of the future. This takes place either as part of regular lessons or in the form of project days/weeks at schools.

Systems Thinking in the classroom

Many schools are already using qualitative cause-and-effect modeling, including the freeware version of iMODELER, to better convey teaching content. This means that pupils are no longer simply told (receptive learning) what the relationships are between a wide range of topics (e.g. the water cycle), but instead work them out themselves in an interdisciplinary way (explorative learning). You can find more information and sample applications in the e-book "future models".

In addition, quantitative cause-and-effect modeling is also used in the education version of iMODELER in schools. Not only in Hamburg is the "simulation of dynamic systems" one of the topics in their school’s final examination - with iMODELER as the preferred program.

The iMODELER is also used for teaching purposes at colleges and universities around the world - particularly in the areas of systems thinking and complexity management.

Practical example: "We use iMODELER for teaching purposes in undergraduate courses. As part of our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) course, over 150 students independently carry out scenarios for optimal resource planning. ERP systems are usually very complex. The iMODELER, on the other hand, is intuitive to use despite its powerful analysis functions. In addition, the iMODELER is suitable for a quick and comprehensive presentation of complex business and economic relationships intuitively and evaluating them easily as part of student work." Karlheinz Schwer (ZHAW School of Management and Law, Center for Knowledge and Information Management)

Using simulation games in the classroom

In order to sensitize pupils and students to the topics of systems thinking, sustainability and complexity management, our business games are also used at schools and universities - in particular the Beergame and Future for All. In addition, business game competitions are also held in various regions.

Project weeks & days at schools

We support the implementation of school project weeks or project days to promote youth participation and sustainability action. As part of the project activities, pupils engage intensively with their own region and school in order to make them more sustainable. In particular, they also question and change their own everyday behavior - by using systems thinking.