Abstract for: Adventures in Open Source System Dynamics

Currently under heavy development are two free and open source system dynamics tools, OpenSim and Open Dialect. OpenSim is a new modeling program designed with an emphasis on collaboration. While individuals can use it to create models on their own, its strength lies in its support of multiple people working on the same model at the same time, collaboratively. The second tool Open Dialect allows users to easily develop and maintain aesthetically pleasing online learning environments to OpenSim and other models. Simple ILEs are easy to create and more complicated ones (with multiple people interacting in a simulation, for example) can be created as well. This workshop will showcase these new tools and demonstrate their features through creating a simple model and online interface package, followed by a discussion to guide future development.