Ecological/System Theory

1
Ecological/System Theory

• An Emerging Approach to Education

2
Theory Whats the big deal?

• Theory shapes how we understand, what we
  understand, and, consequently, how we solve (or
  fail to solve) problems.

3
Why I use this approach

• I am interested in applying systems principles to
  schooling and educational problems.
• Innovation Learning to think about ideas and
  problems systemically.

4
Why Ecological Thinking?

• Problem of Reductionism Just looking at one
  thing at a time.
• Ecological Thinking requires that we look at
  issues in terms of context, relatedness, and
  connections.

5
System Theory and Science

• This is scientific, in that the usual rules of
  science apply.
• The shift is a matter of focus Instead of
  looking at parts, we look at how those parts
  affect and are affected by other parts.
  Relationships and context are very important.

6
System A Definition

• Complex of interacting elements.
• Open to, and interact with their environment.
• Acquire qualitatively properties new through
  emergence.
• Constantly evolving.

7
Application
8
Implications for Education

• Rethinking the purposes of education.
• Rethinking educational problems.
• Rethinking the curriculum.
• (Re)thinking power.

9
What are the purposes of education?
10
What problems do we face in education today?
11
What have you liked/disliked about your education
so far? Do you feel empowered by your education?
12
Politics and education

• How is educating someone a political act?

13
What were up against

• Culture devoid of meaning.
• The media.
• Decline of communities.

14
Consumerism

• The idea that problems can be solved through
  material means, (i.e., buy stuff)
• Problem this creates A vicious cycle.

15
Other Implications

• Opens the possibility of using insights from both
  liberal and conservative perspectives.
• Provides some synthesis of disparate theoretical
  orientations.