Chapter 2 - Learning Guide
"Mental Models For Sustainability"
Activities 1: What are mental models and why are they important
Activities 2: Introduction to mental models
- Introduction to mental models (pdf)
- Introduction to mental models (PPT)
- Mental models are operating systems for humans. They comprise the instructions by which we run our lives. Our mental models are highly complex and run with a constant web of interactions between our personal operating systems and those of our communities and cultures of which we are a part. All the time, day in and day out, our lives go on in accord with our personal set of mental models intermixed with the social and cultural mental in which we are immersed. These mental models operate primarily in the background of our lives to regulate not only what we do but how we decide who we are and how we feel about it all. Our mental models set parameters for our expectations of what can, should happen, and who we each are in relation to different situations.
Activities 2: Introduction to mental models
- Learners will post then discuss their perspectives on their own versatility (appropriate flexibility) of thinking (and that of the other learners)
- These activities (2) can take between 50 and 90 minutes.The two files include the Instructor Guide describing the activity and supporting powerpoints.
- Introduction to mental models (pdf)
- Introduction to mental models (PPT)
Activity 3: Developing culturally competent agreements
Activity 4: Appreciative Inquiry
- During this session learners will review the culturally competent terms and the Ladder of Inference in Action. They will review Role Theory (task, process and relationships roles) and then practice writing culturally competent agreements
- This activity takes 90 minutes
- The file include the Instructor Guide describing the activity (there are no powerpoints needed to support this activity). The files name is:
Activity 4: Appreciative Inquiry
- Learners will conduct an Appreciative Inquiry sampler exercise; interview each other about their respective companies; and pool a list of common themes
- This activity takes about 1 and a half hours
- The file included is the Instructor Guide describing the activity (there are no power points needed to support this activity). The file names is:
Activity 5: Versatility of thinking
- Learners will review thinking patterns and what drives those patterns. They will work together to develop practices that will enhance the versatility of thinking in their groups
- This activity takes 90 minutes
- There is a pre-reading to assign prior to the session
- The three files include the pre-reading, the Instructor Guide describing the activity and supporting powerpoints. The files names are:
- Versatility of thinking (pdf)
- Versatility of thinking (PPT)
Activity 6: The Story of the Stuff
From a Movie to a Movement (http://storyofstuff.org/)
We have a problem with Stuff. We use too much, too much of it is toxic and we don’t share it very well. But that’s not the way things have to be. Together, we can build a society based on better not more, sharing not selfishness, community not division.
The Story of Stuff Project’s journey began with a 20-minute online movie about the way we make, use and throw away all the Stuff in our lives. Five years and 40 million views later, we’re a Community of more than a million changemakers worldwide, working to build a more healthy and just planet. We invite you to watch and share our movies, participate in our study programs and join our campaigns. Come on, let’s go!
