OVERCOMING Time CONSTRAINTS for Systems Thinking
OVERCOMING Time CONSTRAINTS for Systems Thinking
Embedded Files
The challenge and opportunity:
The challenge and opportunity:
“I just don’t have the time to redesign my course to include something as complex as systems thinking."
“I just don’t have the time to redesign my course to include something as complex as systems thinking."
Educators are often given limited time to learn and implement new curricula such as systems thinking. Institutional inertia, lack of structured support or incentives for professional development in systems thinking are barriers educators may face.
These challenges can be overcome through a variety of practical strategies and tools, both individually and collaboratively, along with new educational standards that provide motivation for institutional support.
practical Strategies for Instructors
practical Strategies for Instructors
1. Start small
Integrate systems thinking gradually—begin with one example, a unit, a case study, or an assignment.
2. Use ready-made resources
Leverage existing tools, modules, and case studies from networks like the systems thinking framework examples created from SaSTICE, the ACS Green Chemistry Institute Systems Thinking Modules, the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community (GCTLC) resource library as well as example case studies implemented in first year chemistry courses.
3. Leverage collaboration
Share workload by co-developing systems-thinking activities or courses. Join the Systems Thinking in Chemistry Education group on the GCTLC to form collaborations and share ideas!
4. Share what you have done
Share how you have implemented systems thinking with others.
5. Advocate for institutional support
Encourage departments to recognize time spent on innovation as part of workload or merit reviews. The ACS Approved chemistry programs are expected to demonstrate the importance of developing a comprehensive view of the interconnection between physical, chemical, and biological systems. This “systems thinking” skill set is now a part of the professional skills and competencies section of the guidelines.
5. Prioritize with purpose
Replace content-heavy topics with systems-focused activities that promote deeper, integrative learning.
What Research says
What Research says
Delaney et al (2021), Jackson and Hurst (2021), Szozda et al (2022), & York and Orgill (2024)
These studies highlight that time to learn and implement systems thinking is one of the most commonly reported challenges by chemistry educators worldwide.
Delaney, S.; Ferguson, J. P.; Schultz, M. Exploring Opportunities to Incorporate Systems Thinking into Secondary and Tertiary Chemistry Education through Practitioner Perspectives. Int. J. Sci. Educ. 2021, 43 (16), 2618–2639. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2021.1980631.
Jackson, A.; Hurst, G. A. Faculty Perspectives Regarding the Integration of Systems Thinking into Chemistry Education. Chem. Educ. Res. Pract. 2021, 22 (4), 855–865. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1rp00078k.
Szozda, A. R.; Bruyere, K.; Lee, H.; Mahaffy, P. G.; Flynn, A. B. Investigating Educators’ Perspectives toward Systems Thinking in Chemistry Education from International Contexts. J. Chem. Educ. 2022, 99 (7), 2474–2483. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.2c00138.
York, S.; Orgill, M. Experienced Tertiary Instructors’ Perceptions of the Benefits and Challenges of Systems Thinking in Chemistry Education. J. Chem. Educ. 2024, 101 (1), 10–23. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c01000.
Redman and Wiek (2021)
This systematic review in education for sustainability recognizes systems thinking as a key competency for advancing sustainable transformations, reinforcing the need for institutional prioritization and investment in educator training.
Redman, A.; Wiek, A. Competencies for Advancing Transformations Towards Sustainability. Front. Educ. 2021, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.785163.
Future Jobs Report (2025)
This report lists systems thinking as a core and emerging skill for the future workforce.
The Future of Jobs Report 2025; Insight Report; World Economic Forum: Switzerland, 2025. https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse