Using Systems Thinking to Improve Interdisciplinary Learning Outcomes: Reflections on a Pilot Study in Land Economics

Abstract

Systems thinking is an inquiry-based method of learning that uses the technique of perspective-taking, fosters holistic thinking, and engages in belief-testing. This paper describes a pilot study in an undergraduate Land Economics course that investigated how systems thinking could be used to facilitate the process of interdisciplinary integration. Results suggest that systems thinking is well suited for this purpose.