Ventana software support forum

Posted: **Wed Apr 30, 1997 11:55 am**

We regularly use PIVIT from University of Michigan for developing concept
maps related to ecology and other biological concepts. We have a course at
Western Michigan University which uses a systems software package (Extend)
to simulate ecosystems problems. Our students are preservice elementary
teachers, who learn complex systems ideas very well in the context of this
course. The biology is much more reasonable to them when approached with
concept mapping, sometimes, and much of the "systems thinking" required to
pose and solve their own ecosystems problems is pretty intuitive, I suspect.

Im very interested in ecosystems simulation with respect to problem solving,
as it is the subject of my dissertation. I would be happy to share more
about my dissertation and my course to anyone who might be interested.
==========================================================Missy Howse
Department of Science Studies home phone:(616)372-1834
Western Michigan University (fax capability)
Kalamazoo, MI 49008 Internet:x91howse@wmich.edu
=====================================================================

Posted: **Wed Apr 30, 1997 4:48 pm**

In relation to your question about software for mapping "knowledge and
information network"
it could be interesting for you to get a copy of the work which has been
made
during 1995 and 1996 for the European Comission.
The name of the final document is:

"Computer based modelling, simulation and graphic representation of
Technology Innovation Networks"

EIMS PROJECT 94/118, May 1995
EUROPEAN COMISSION DG XIII D/4

It deals with: Network mapping, thinking and modelling.

Jose Perez Rios
joperrio@offcampus.es
Universidad de Valladolid
Spain
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Posted: **Wed Apr 30, 1997 4:56 pm**

To All:

I know this is a bit off the topic, but it seems that "knowledge
mapping" and "semantic networks" could be a good precursor to developing
a system dynamics model so perhaps someone here is familiar with the
subject.

I was wondering if anyone could give me some pointers regarding software
for this type of work. Sem-Net looked like a good possibility, but it
is only available for the Mac and most of our clientele are not Mac
users. We have looked at MindMan and Inspiration, but the basis of these
seem to be too hierarchical and not truly network oriented. SNePS seems
to be for Unix systems. We are looking at Protege/Win which looks like
a possibility.

I would be interested to receive any comments or alternate suggestions.

I am working with some folks who are interested in mapping the
"knowledge and information network" regarding Criteria and Indicators
for Sustainable Forest Management. This would become a resource for
people working in this field.

--
Richard G. Dudley

rdudley@indo.net.id
http://home.indo.net.id/~rdudley

Posted: **Thu Oct 30, 1997 7:53 am**

Richard et.al.,

I think your idea is on target, and should be addressed on the front end of
any investigation. It would let you quickly collect the thoughts of
everyone involved as to the objects and system parameters that are likey to
prove relevant. Then you could set about to see what data might be or
become available, and define surrogate variables where necessary.

A semantic net should be good vehicle for accomplishing the first part of
this.

There isnt anything magic about semantic nets (or mind maps), and usually
no rigor. I wouldnt advise special purpose software for the task, since
many of its assumptions would be hidden, and because you dont need a
rigorous approach. You could use Visio to quickly draw the semantic nets,
and print and exchange them easily. Then if you want to get rigorous, you
could use a database such as MS Access integrated with Visio to give you an
industrial strength relational database to capture that which you put into
Visio graphically.

To summarize, I believe youre really on the right path, and I recommend a
facile, general purpose graphical tool (with good "rigor-expansion"
potential) to rapidly sketch out the semantic nets to capture ideas and
gain consensus on the relevant objects and their conceptual relationships,
BEFORE you start into the System Dynamics "heavy-lifting".

Let us know how its going.

-Bob
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Robert H. Murray huskynet@wolfenet.com
Issaquah, WA, USA 1-425-391-2363
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