Wheat, David, "Simplifying Learning Environments for Introductory Students", 2005 July 17-2005 July 21
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An interactive learning environment (ILE) appropriate for intermediate macroeconomics students has
been simplified for students in introductory college and high school courses. Without changing the
underlying model or the simulation options, the simplified instructional approach relies on feedback
loop diagramming more than stock-and-flow diagramming. Interactive Vensim causal loop diagrams
are embedded in a STELLA interface, using slide show and video software. In addition, students appear
to learn more as model-users if they engage in preliminary model-building activities using simple
word-and-arrow diagrams.