Kate Thompson
Postdoctoral Fellow |
Teaching
I am currently co-teaching edpc 5024: Learning and Change a Systems View for the Master of Learning Science and Technology Program. (current students of the program can find more unit information in the MLS&T section.) and also ICE
About Me
I submitted my PhD in December 2007 and have since been working as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at CoCo Research Centre. My research interests lie broadly in the field of using technology for environmental education. This includes research into using simulation models (system dynamics models and agent based models), mobile learning, and online learning. Other research that I am involved in involves how teams work together in online learning environments, and understanding complex systems. I am a co-convenor of the SIG for Emerging Researchers in the Australian Association of Environmental Education
PhD
System Dynamics as a Mindtool for Environmental Education - in a Classroom and in a National Park.
The study examined a number of methods for effective environmental education, focussing specifically on a system dynamics and an agent-based modelling approach. The study examined three strategies for school aged children to understand a complex environmental system, in this case a National Park. The strategies were learning from pre-built models, learning from multiple representations and learning in a collaborative learning environment. Ecological systems are complicated systems that have a variety of entities that interact and affect aspects of these systems in a manner that is often predictable. A National Park has the added complexity of incorporating human behaviour, which is generally unpredictable. System dynamics provides a framework that can accommodate this complexity in order for people to more easily understand such a system.
Publications
Davison K. & Reimann P. (2005) System dynamics as a mindtool for environmental education. Presented at AARE 2005 (Australian Association for Research in Education), Sydney.
Thompson K. & Reimann P. (2006) Knowledge and understanding of an environmental system using two different types of computer-based models - a pilot study. Presented at AAEE 2006 (Australian Association Environmental Education), Bunbury.
Thompson, K., & Reimann, P. (2007a). Do school students learn more about the environment from a system dynamics model by themselves or with a partner? Paper presented at the 25th International Conference of the System Dynamics Society 50th Anniversary Celebration, Boston, USA.
Thompson, K., & Reimann, P. (2007b). Patterns of using system dynamics models and agent-based models to understand a complex environmental system - a comparison. Paper presented at the Earli, 12th Biennial Conference, Budapest, Hungary.
Reimann, P., Thompson, K., & Weinel, M. (2007). Decision making patterns in virtual teams. In T. Hirashima, U. Hoppe & S. S.-C. Young (Eds.), Supporting learning flow through integrative technologies (pp. 213-220). Amsterdam: IOS Press.
Reimann, P., Thompson K., & Weinel W. (2007) Collaborative learning by modelling in an online setting. Atkinson, R.J., McBeath, C., Soong, S. K. A. & Cheers, C. (Eds) (2007). ICT: Providing choices for learners and learning. Proceedings ascilite Singapore 2007. Centre for Educational Development, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 2-5 December. http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/singapore07/procs/
Thompson, K. & Stewart, K. (2007) The mobile jigsaw - a collaborative learning strategy for mlearning about the environment. Presented at mlearn: Making the connections, Melbourne.
Thompson, K. (2008) The value of multiple representations for learning about complex systems. To be presented at the International Conference for the Learning Sciences, International Perspectives in the Learning Sciences: Cre8ing a learning world, June 24-28, 2008. Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Reimann, P., & Thompson, K. (in press). Ecosystem modelling for environmental education: From stocks and flows to behavior and interactions. In P. Blumschein, J. Stroebel, W. Hung & D. Jonassen (Eds.), Model-based approaches to learning: Using systems models and simulations to improve understanding and problem solving in complex domains. Rotterdam, Netherlands: Sense Publishers.
Qualifications
BSc (hons) majoring in Environmental Science, UNSW, 2001
Honours Project: A Discrete Event Simulation Model of Visitor Usage at Botany
Bay National Park, Kurnell
Grad. Cert. Environmental Management, UNSW, 2003
Relevant Work Experience
Postdoctoral Fellow (current), CoCo, The University of Sydney
Postgraduate Fellow (2004-2008), CoCo, The University of Sydney
Research Assistant (2001-2004), AEGIS, The University of Western Sydney
Environmental Scientist (2002), EnviroTech Pty Ltd
Student Activities Manager (2001), Entertainment Department, The University of New South Wales
Professional Associations
SIG Convenor (Early Career Researcher and Research Student SIG) AAEE (The Australian Association for Environmental Education). visit our website
