Critical Thinking Skills Enhancement through System Dynamics-Based Games: Insights from the Project Management Board Game Project
This study aims to explore and discuss the role of systems thinking and system dynamics-assisted games in enhancing critical thinking skills in learners. In more detail, the study relies on the use of a system dynamics-based interactive learning environment related to project management issues, foll...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Systems |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/11/11/554 |
| _version_ | 1797457616661643264 |
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| author | Federico Barnabè Stefano Armenia Sarfraz Nazir Alessandro Pompei |
| author_facet | Federico Barnabè Stefano Armenia Sarfraz Nazir Alessandro Pompei |
| author_sort | Federico Barnabè |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study aims to explore and discuss the role of systems thinking and system dynamics-assisted games in enhancing critical thinking skills in learners. In more detail, the study relies on the use of a system dynamics-based interactive learning environment related to project management issues, followed by systems thinking-supported debriefing sessions. The interactive learning environment was developed and used in the form of a single-player, online, computer-based game. The game was designed to mimic all the necessary planning and operational activities needed to organize a wedding ceremony. The acquisition of critical thinking skills in learners was evaluated in three main ways: (1) players’ performances were analyzed through a scoring system embedded in the game that considers several performance dimensions; (2) feedback from the players was collected and analyzed by using basic content analysis; (3) players’ performances were analyzed using five main categories of structures that are typical of project management domains, i.e., project features, the rework cycle, project control, ripple effects, and knock-on effects. The findings show that the joint use of system dynamics and systems thinking tools and principles within a gaming environment has the potential to facilitate and enhance the acquisition of critical thinking skills in learners and may also provide valid support for educators and practitioners interested in the enhancement of project management skills. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:24:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6751a9690688469eb1575a69574b0065 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-8954 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:24:34Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Systems |
| spelling | doaj.art-6751a9690688469eb1575a69574b00652023-11-24T15:09:12ZengMDPI AGSystems2079-89542023-11-01111155410.3390/systems11110554Critical Thinking Skills Enhancement through System Dynamics-Based Games: Insights from the Project Management Board Game ProjectFederico Barnabè0Stefano Armenia1Sarfraz Nazir2Alessandro Pompei3Dipartimento di Studi Aziendali e Giuridici, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, ItalyDipartimento di Scienze Umane, IUL of Florence, 50122 Firenze, ItalyDipartimento di Scienze Economico-Aziendali e Diritto per l’Economia, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, ItalySchool of Advanced Defense Studies (CASD), Defense Analysis and Research Institute, 00165 Rome, ItalyThis study aims to explore and discuss the role of systems thinking and system dynamics-assisted games in enhancing critical thinking skills in learners. In more detail, the study relies on the use of a system dynamics-based interactive learning environment related to project management issues, followed by systems thinking-supported debriefing sessions. The interactive learning environment was developed and used in the form of a single-player, online, computer-based game. The game was designed to mimic all the necessary planning and operational activities needed to organize a wedding ceremony. The acquisition of critical thinking skills in learners was evaluated in three main ways: (1) players’ performances were analyzed through a scoring system embedded in the game that considers several performance dimensions; (2) feedback from the players was collected and analyzed by using basic content analysis; (3) players’ performances were analyzed using five main categories of structures that are typical of project management domains, i.e., project features, the rework cycle, project control, ripple effects, and knock-on effects. The findings show that the joint use of system dynamics and systems thinking tools and principles within a gaming environment has the potential to facilitate and enhance the acquisition of critical thinking skills in learners and may also provide valid support for educators and practitioners interested in the enhancement of project management skills.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/11/11/554critical thinkingsystem dynamicssystems thinkinginteractive learning environmentproject managementgame |
| spellingShingle | Federico Barnabè Stefano Armenia Sarfraz Nazir Alessandro Pompei Critical Thinking Skills Enhancement through System Dynamics-Based Games: Insights from the Project Management Board Game Project Systems critical thinking system dynamics systems thinking interactive learning environment project management game |
| title | Critical Thinking Skills Enhancement through System Dynamics-Based Games: Insights from the Project Management Board Game Project |
| title_full | Critical Thinking Skills Enhancement through System Dynamics-Based Games: Insights from the Project Management Board Game Project |
| title_fullStr | Critical Thinking Skills Enhancement through System Dynamics-Based Games: Insights from the Project Management Board Game Project |
| title_full_unstemmed | Critical Thinking Skills Enhancement through System Dynamics-Based Games: Insights from the Project Management Board Game Project |
| title_short | Critical Thinking Skills Enhancement through System Dynamics-Based Games: Insights from the Project Management Board Game Project |
| title_sort | critical thinking skills enhancement through system dynamics based games insights from the project management board game project |
| topic | critical thinking system dynamics systems thinking interactive learning environment project management game |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/11/11/554 |
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