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Theoretical Perspectives on Complex Systems in Biology Education

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Fostering Understanding of Complex Systems in Biology Education

Part of the book series: Contributions from Biology Education Research ((CBER))

Abstract

For this chapter we will briefly discuss the importance and ubiquitous nature of complex systems throughout biology, life sciences and many other STEM domains. We then explore various theoretical perspectives which have been used in the teaching and learning of systems and systems models- from Systems Dynamics and Systems Thinking, Structure-Behaviour-Function, Phenomena-Mechanisms-Components, Agent-Based Modeling, Complexity and lastly Thinking in Levels. Through using biological examples, we illustrate how these theoretical perspectives have been utilized within biology to aid in the teaching and learning of complex systems within this field. We end by briefly describing developing interventions, designed to further improve learners’ understanding of complex systems and to enhance the support provided to biology educators.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA

    Karyn Housh & Cindy E. Hmelo-Silver

  2. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Susan A. Yoon

Authors
  1. Karyn Housh
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  2. Cindy E. Hmelo-Silver
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  3. Susan A. Yoon
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Correspondence to Karyn Housh .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate Program for Science and Technology Education, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

    Orit Ben Zvi Assaraf

  2. Freudenthal Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Marie-Christine P. J. Knippels

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Housh, K., Hmelo-Silver, C.E., Yoon, S.A. (2022). Theoretical Perspectives on Complex Systems in Biology Education. In: Ben Zvi Assaraf, O., Knippels, MC.P.J. (eds) Fostering Understanding of Complex Systems in Biology Education. Contributions from Biology Education Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98144-0_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98144-0_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-98143-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-98144-0

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