DOI
10.1002/sdr.1550

Summary
Current teaching and learning of system dynamics are based on materials derived from the expertise of masters. However, there is little explicit reference to neither the stages which beginners go through to become proficient nor what is learned at each of these stages. We argue that this hinders cumulative research and development in teaching and learning strategies. We engaged 15 acknowledged masters in the field to take part in a three-round Delphi study to develop an operational representation of the competence development stages and what is learned at each stage. The resulting system dynamics competence framework consists of a qualified, expert-evaluated, empirically based set of seven skills and 265 learning outcomes. The skills provide a common orientation, in the language of current educational research, to facilitate research, course design and certification efforts to ensure quality standards. To conclude, this paper provides avenues for future work. Copyright © 2016 The Authors System Dynamics Review published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of System Dynamics Society

Relevance for Complex Systems Knowledge
This article present a framework for teaching and learning system dynamics. The framework consists of seven skills that are learned over four development stages from beginner to proficient. For each skill and each development stage, learning outcomes are defined following Bloom’s revised taxonomy. The framework also accounts for the increasing dynamic complexity of the content to be learned. It is based on a review of the skills system dynamic masters have gained over years of practice, compiled into a template that researchers and instructors can use and adapt.

The seven skills, linked to *Blooms taxonomy*, are:

1. *remember* System dynamics language

2. *understand* Dynamic reasoning

3. Model analysis *(skill for analysis built on the 1 and 2)*

4. *creation through* System dynamics project initialization

5. *creation through* Model creation

6. Model *validation*

7. Policy evaluation and design
Each of these seven skills are detailed in the article.

Point of Strength
The article contributes with methodological approaches at several levels. It can be applied and modified to specific teaching situations. It can also serve as a methodology to map skills of those who master a subject. The contribution of systematically link the skills to Blooms taxonomy can also be inspiring.