Dr. Sean Bridgen Dr. Terry Musser Penn State...
Transcript of Dr. Sean Bridgen Dr. Terry Musser Penn State...
Dr. Sean BridgenDr. Terry Musser
Penn State University
At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
Identify the primary concepts of systemic thinking
Articulate connections between systemic thinking and systemic inquiry
Identify ways to utilize systemic inquiry in their own settings
What is systemic thinking?
Looking at the whole
Adding parts does not = the whole
Change is necessary
Interaction with the environment is inevitable
Human Social Systems
Assembly of people organized to accomplish a purpose;
Maintain sets of relations among system members;
Are open to and interact with the environment.
Human Social Systems
Change occurring in 1 part affects all parts
Structured activities
◦ Information processing
◦ Planning
◦ Performing
◦Monitoring
Traditional assessment does not show how effective a system is within the larger system.
Judging the quality is illogical & unimportant
Ontology (what) study
Epistemology (how) study
Two world views of scientific inquiry:
1. The world consists of “things”
Things are “stills” from a moving picture
2. The world consists of processes
Properties of systems emerge after an understanding of the organizing relationships between entities
We design systems that value and serve people. We design systems that build and nurture human qualities. We believe that it is our destiny -- and it is within our power -- to guide our evolution and the evolution of our systems and to shape our individual and collective future by design. Therefore, we should embrace systems design as an essential part of our professional repertoire. We can attain this by developing organizational capacity and individual and collective capability in systems design.
- Banathy, 1996
What is a concept map?
• A visual representation of knowledge
• Concepts usually words or pictures in circles
or boxes
• Relationships between concepts depicted on
lines linking the concepts
Using the paper and markers, draw a concept map of the advising system in which you work;
Be sure to include lines which connect sub-systems;
You have 10 minutes!
GO!
THE ADVISING
TABLE
Advisor
StudentInstitution
Values
Cultural Beliefs
Educational Goals
Interests
Strengths/Weaknesses
Past performance
Mission
Advising History
Advising Culture
Educational
Opportunities
ResourcesValues
Cultural BeliefsDisciplinary Theories/Knowledge
Past Advising Experiences
Institutional Knowledge
Desire to Advise/Mentor Students
External
Influences
Finances
Family Economic Outlooks
Career Trends and Counseling
Advising Theories/Techniques
THE CONCEPT OF ADVISING
Race/Ethnicity
IQ
Religion
Aptitude
Motivation
Family
StructureSupport or Lack of Support
Scholarship Requirements
Financial AidDebt Load
Sexual Identity
Politics
Investments
MajorMinor
Study AbroadGrad School Prep
InternshipHobbies
Passions
Race/Ethnicity
Religion
Sexual Identity
Student Development Theory
Decision-Making Theory/Skills
Communications skills (listening, reflecting, etc.)
Teaching/Learning Theory/Skills
Academic Programs
Referrals
Support Services Policies/Procedures
Good or Bad?
Personal arsenal of theories/philosophies
Institutional Type
Technology
Personnel$$
Physical Plant
Institutional History
Faculty
Industry
Solid Line = Direct connection or impact
Dashed Line = Indirect connection or impact
Use of technology in advising
Advising Styles/Theories (developmental, appreciative, etc.)
Faculty or professional adviser?
shap
es
determ
ines
Vision
imp
acts
Methodology
Determined by the context, content, & type of system being examined;
How does the system change and adapt?
Constructivist approach◦ Allow the system to determine its meanings;◦ Members & sub-systems may apply different
meanings to the same thing;
- Banathy, 1996
Study of university advising system
Conducted over a full academic year
Used Hutchins 10 principals for Systemic Thinking
Also observed systemic change
Conclusions
Advising needs a “distinct identity”
The behavior of a system defines its identity, not its “rhetoric or stated goals” (Meadows)
How does the behavior of a system compare to its stated purposes?