Systems thinking in Education : Mumpsimus Exposed

In one of the previous article we discussed little bit about about Systemic thinking in Education. This article will continue the discussion based on an article available on ASCD on How Systemic thinking applies to education. (Click here to read).

Why do we need systemic change ?

We have seen that reforms are just not working out. We keep coming up with newer solutions which are only as new as the older ones ! We are unable to break free from the notorious "schooling" process. Inspite of many good teachers willing to learn and change, many alternative schools daring to walk the new road - we still see only marginal changes in world education.

Systems thinking proposes a paradigm shift not an incremental change. It provides an approach that is not only more practical and effective but also more scientific and modern.

The shift from one to many  model

One of the most urgent change we need to accept that our kids have more avenues to learn than ever before. Thus, we need to abolish the ancient method of one to many teaching. (one expert, many students). We must realize that a more real model is many to one and many to many. This will call for a change in the very structure of our schooling system.

Schools as learning communities

Systems thinking proposes looking at schools as open and organic system where there are lot of subsystems and elements with a relationships web. Thus a school must :-

• Constantly change and adapt with time


• Have a clear purpose


• Work on improving relationships to co-exist and reduce conflicts


• Consider impact of various systems and subsystems.


• Develop capacity for self regulation, self correction and self renewal


• Value both diversification and integration

A systemic approach in education will have more of following components -

• broad statements of purpose;


• assessment based on performance compared to benchmarks, not to other students (feedback);


• self-assessment;


• triangulation (use of multiple forms of assessment by multiple assessors to increase the validity and reliability of feedback);


• immediate intervention;


• generative learning ;


• reflective practice ;


• varied learning structures (self-directed, one-to-one, small groups, lecture, field study, apprenticeships, mentoring);


• assignment to learning groups based on individual performance, rather than age-grade distinctions;


• intact teams working over an extended period of time (more than one year) to achieve a common goal;


• increased access to information;


• multilingual resources;


• hierarchy of small, six-to-eight person, self-sufficient, semiautonomous teams (sub-systems).


• Constructivism


• Thematic and project based learning


• Considerations for Multiple intelligences


• Holistic development


• Eradication of outdated and dead subsystems

Another relevant article can be found here.

Systemic thinking makes for one of the strongest case in transforming our education system and this blog will try to continue the discussion to spread the awareness and generate more ideas.