Using ecology to enhance everyday reasoning: the case of interdependent and reciprocal causality

Abstract

This paper reports on a case study performed in the 3 rd cycle of a developmental research that concerns the design of a CSCL environment of ecology for university students. Our focus here is set on using this environment to help students develop ‘interdependent reciprocal thinking’ about everyday cause-and-effect relationships. To do this, we drew upon the function of feedback loops (a) in ecosystems, (b) in everyday life, and (c) per se, respectively through NetLogo-models, familiar examples, and experiential activity. Analyzing the 44 participants’ pre/post responses showed that a better understanding of how causality works in everyday contexts was finally reached.