Group Learning Supported by Simulation model an Experiment Design

This paper addresses the influence of individual and group information feedback on a decision process supported by the application of system dynamics model. The experiment considered the task of strategy determination with an explicitly defined criteria function under three experimental conditions: a1) individual strategy determination supported by just Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) explanation, a2) determination of strategy with application of the system dynamics (SD) model without group interaction, and a3) determination of strategy with application of the SD model with restricted subject interaction supported by group information feedback. The hypothesis that model application and group feedback information positively influence the convergence of the decision process and contribute to higher criteria function values was confirmed. However, the difference of frequency of simulation runs suggested that group membership might have affected the group work. To eliminate this possibility, we have introduced a pseudo-Solomon experimental design. A model of learning was developed as well.