Identification of Systems Thinking Fundamentals Within Post-Secondary HVACR Programs

Abstract

Post-secondary HVACR programs have been identified as a resource for developing high-performance building technicians to match the ever-increasing complexity of modern commercial building systems. Systems thinking has been identified by both nationally recognized organizations and published literature as a skillset needed for modern HVACR technicians. This study aimed to identify fundamental systems thinking skills within nationally recognized post-secondary high-performance building technician education programs. The research for this study was a two-part grounded theory approach. National DACUM (developing a curriculum) data was analyzed to develop a question set to drill down to a fundamental building systems layer and develop questions that could be asked of educators who teach building systems to understand how they teach systems. The purpose of this method was to provide discernible data for the research objectives of this study. The research found that systems thinking existed in post-secondary HVACR education. This research will be a foundation to further systems-thinking research leading to curriculum revision and program revision of HVACR programs in the community and technical college systems.