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The Invisible Remains Invisible: A Study of Systems Thinking in Compulsory School Students' Descriptions of a Wastewater System

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Title: The Invisible Remains Invisible: A Study of Systems Thinking in Compulsory School Students' Descriptions of a Wastewater System
Language: English
Authors: Nina Emami, Susanne Engström, Claes Klasander
Source: Design and Technology Education. 2025 30(3):122-142.
Availability: Design and Technology Association. 11 Manor Court, Banbury, OX16 5TB, UK. Tel: +44-1789-470007; Fax: +44-1789-470-007; e-mail: info@data.org.uk; Web site: https://openjournals.ljmu.ac.uk/DesignTechnologyEducation
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Grade 9
High Schools
Junior High Schools
Middle Schools
Descriptors: Systems Approach, Thinking Skills, Compulsory Education, Water Pollution, Sanitation, Secondary School Students, Grade 9, Knowledge Level, Scientific Concepts, Teaching Methods, Freehand Drawing, Visualization, Simulation, Technology Education
ISSN: 1360-1431
2040-8633
Abstract: This study investigates how ninth-grade students in Swedish compulsory school describe and explain a technological system: the wastewater system. The analysis focuses on students' verbal explanations while illustrating their self-drawn models of the system. Eleven students (aged 15-16) participated through semi-structured individual interviews. Transcripts and models were analysed using Hallström et al.'s (2022) classification model for system understanding and thematic analysis. The results indicate that most students were able to identify the system's purpose, namely, the collection and treatment of domestic wastewater, and describe components such as household outlets, sewer pipes, and treatment plants. However, their descriptions were largely linear and focused on visible components, such as inlets and manholes. Few references were made to energy flows, information control, system boundary, or interdependencies with other systems. Most students' reasoning remained at the Multistructural level; only two demonstrated relational understanding, and none reached an extended abstract level. The thematic analysis revealed that students faced difficulties in understanding temporal processes, feedback mechanisms, and the consequences of system failures, highlighting difficulties in grasping system complexity. The study calls for instruction that explicitly makes hidden structures, interconnections, and sustainability aspects visible in technological systems. It proposes combining student-generated drawings with visualizations, simulations, and structured reflection to promote deeper and more transferable systems thinking in technology education. Although grounded in a Swedish context, the findings and suggested teaching strategies may inform broader educational settings and contribute to strengthening systems thinking as a core competence in technology education globally.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1493902
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: The Invisible Remains Invisible: A Study of Systems Thinking in Compulsory School Students' Descriptions of a Wastewater System
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nina+Emami%22">Nina Emami</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Susanne+Engström%22">Susanne Engström</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Claes+Klasander%22">Claes Klasander</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Design+and+Technology+Education%22"><i>Design and Technology Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 30(3):122-142.
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  Data: Design and Technology Association. 11 Manor Court, Banbury, OX16 5TB, UK. Tel: +44-1789-470007; Fax: +44-1789-470-007; e-mail: info@data.org.uk; Web site: https://openjournals.ljmu.ac.uk/DesignTechnologyEducation
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  Data: 1360-1431<br />2040-8633
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study investigates how ninth-grade students in Swedish compulsory school describe and explain a technological system: the wastewater system. The analysis focuses on students' verbal explanations while illustrating their self-drawn models of the system. Eleven students (aged 15-16) participated through semi-structured individual interviews. Transcripts and models were analysed using Hallström et al.'s (2022) classification model for system understanding and thematic analysis. The results indicate that most students were able to identify the system's purpose, namely, the collection and treatment of domestic wastewater, and describe components such as household outlets, sewer pipes, and treatment plants. However, their descriptions were largely linear and focused on visible components, such as inlets and manholes. Few references were made to energy flows, information control, system boundary, or interdependencies with other systems. Most students' reasoning remained at the Multistructural level; only two demonstrated relational understanding, and none reached an extended abstract level. The thematic analysis revealed that students faced difficulties in understanding temporal processes, feedback mechanisms, and the consequences of system failures, highlighting difficulties in grasping system complexity. The study calls for instruction that explicitly makes hidden structures, interconnections, and sustainability aspects visible in technological systems. It proposes combining student-generated drawings with visualizations, simulations, and structured reflection to promote deeper and more transferable systems thinking in technology education. Although grounded in a Swedish context, the findings and suggested teaching strategies may inform broader educational settings and contribute to strengthening systems thinking as a core competence in technology education globally.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1493902
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 21
        StartPage: 122
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Systems Approach
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Thinking Skills
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Compulsory Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Water Pollution
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sanitation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Grade 9
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Knowledge Level
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Scientific Concepts
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teaching Methods
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Freehand Drawing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Visualization
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      – SubjectFull: Simulation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Technology Education
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: The Invisible Remains Invisible: A Study of Systems Thinking in Compulsory School Students' Descriptions of a Wastewater System
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            NameFull: Nina Emami
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            NameFull: Susanne Engström
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            NameFull: Claes Klasander
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              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
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