In system dynamics we seek to understand the relationship between the structure and the behavior of dynamic systems. In problem solving, for instance, we must identify the structure underlying problem behavior and find how the structure can be modified to create a more desirable systems behaviour. To enhance such an understanding, we utilize the graphical techniques. Whether in print or in software, however, there has been a significant gap between our representation of structure and behaviour. In this paper, we first present a series of ways to link structure and behaviour such that behaviour can be more easily understood on the basis of the underlying structure. These techniques are computerized using PowerSimTM. Within the framework of an EEC research project on distance education for professionals, JITOL (Just In Time Open Learning), we have investigated how to facilitate System Dynamics distance education on electronic networks. One of the main challenges consists of finding an effective way to present the results of a simulation. Such an interpretation of simulation results is normally partitioned in accordance with the various phases of the system development, portrayed by the simulation, and requires that references be made to the assumptions embodied in the underlying simulation model. Consequently, the author or any other user of a model must be allowed to comment on the various phases of a specific dynamics development. Moreover, these comments must be made available to any reader of the model, ie anyone who runs the model under the conditions specified by the author or user. And these readers must be allowed to respond by adding their own comments to the same fragments of the model development. This paper outlines a technique developed to, at runtime (ie as the model is running), link such annotations to graphs that represent simulation results, and to make such annotations available to readers at runtime when they inspect that specific simulations.

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Date created

• 1994

Type

• Document

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• Processing documentation available at: https://wiki.albany.edu/display/SCA/Processing+Ingested+Digital+Files

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• Creative Commons BY-NC-ND Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International

  
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Collection

System Dynamic Society Records

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• This collection is part of the University Archives