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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Sustainability through Soccer: Systems-Thinking in Action by University of Virginia

4.0
stars
42 ratings

About the Course

This course takes learners on a journey through a progression of systems-thinking and sustainability concepts. Using the beautiful game of soccer (also known as football in many parts of the world) as an analogy, we'll work together to illuminate real-world interdependencies (such as between climate change and human rights), building the chain of concepts in a fun, accessible way. Soccer/Football nerds and newbies alike will be entertained and, ultimately, rewarded with the epiphanies that come from seeing in systems more clearly. Those who complete the course will: create examples of systems parts, boundaries, and behaviors related to sustainability (and soccer/football); practice evaluating the sustainability of systems they care about using several complementary methods; generate ideas to improve the sustainability of a system they care about; and explain a mindset shift that would enhance the sustainability of a system they care about....

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1 - 10 of 10 Reviews for Sustainability through Soccer: Systems-Thinking in Action

By Min-Chul K

Sep 24, 2017

Worst online course that I have taken so far - and I have taken quite a few on edX, Coursera, and Udacity.

The peer review system is a joke. If not enough people take this course, well then what you have submitted weeks ago will remain as 'grading in progress' forever.

This course is designed to sell the book. The entire course is a series of interviews with the author, talking about the chapters about the book, followed by excerpts from the book to read.

The content is not in anyway good or at least intellectually stimulating. Where is the value in this course? To what audience is this course designed for? In contrast, the Design Thinking course from the same university is far more refined and well-prepared.

The author has little understanding of science from which this way of thinking comes from. Right from the beginning the author "compares" systems thinking with science. As a physicist and a chemist, I can tell you that the author's understanding of science is not coming off as that deep at all. Systems thinking is an integral part of science - in fact, it comes from science (think biological and earth systems). In fact, there is an entire branch of physics dedicated to complex systems. To degrade science just to promote Systems Thinking as some sort of branding is typical business/management bullshit. This translates into this very shallow view of systems thinking where someone without any knowledge of systems thinking could already go about thinking the world. I mean come on! Didn't the author go through primary education? Ecosystem? Water cycle? You really didn't come across systems thinking (or some version of it) until after college? Perhaps the target audience is for those who didn't pay attention in school, but maybe - just maybe - the level of the target audience is way too low.

Even though I am giving a harsh review, I am still guessing that the author is not an idiot, and that the author is genuinely concerned about issues such as sustainability. It must be frustrating that the society as a whole does not pay more attention to such issues. The author must have put in effort to try and make such material accessible to the wider public, even throw in a little soccer to make the content more relatable. I do commend that. But perhaps the target demographic and the medium is not well thought out. Something like a 40 minute interview/presentation on a youtube channel would have been much better. I would expect something more academic on coursera, rather than trying to pass off something not quite ready as a course worthy of a certificate or spending 6 weeks on.

The course title was so interesting that I thought this would be a very innovative delivery of a subject matter that really triggers thought and provides insight. But the course ended up being overwhelmingly disappointing.

By SANJAY S

May 4, 2020

I have enjoyed doing the course. Its is different and informative as well. Thank you

By Timur A

Oct 11, 2019

To be honest, I expected more insights from the course.

By Sendil K J

Oct 31, 2022

I had completely a different and never experienced this method of learning, enjoyed a lot while learning as the references were pulled from soccer and its legendary players, it was amazing experience of learning and definitely recommend others who are looking forward to learn about sustainability and system thinking.

Thanks for the great content

By Neha N

Oct 27, 2021

The course was an eye opener. It also gave me methods that I can use to understand very complex systems.

By Zenobia V

Apr 10, 2020

very easy to understand though some examples took time as i belong to a different cultural background

By Alwielland B

Jul 16, 2020

great course

By cristiano d

Aug 31, 2020

Esperava mais do Curso!!!!!

By Лія

Mar 31, 2023

An interesting and instructive course. The information is presented in an accessible form. It's easy and interesting to watch videos and read articles.

By Prime i F C

Oct 24, 2023

Lovely to have this course!