Terry Elliott's List: Systems Thinking

• In the classroom, systems thinking explores the interdependencies among the elements of a system, looking for patterns rather than memorizing isolated facts. Systems thinking encourages creativity, questioning and problem solving.  Systems thinking involves shifting attention 

  • from the parts to the whole, 
  • from objects to relationships, 
  • from structures to processes, 
  • from hierarchies to networks,
  • from the rational to the intuitive, 
  • from analysis to synthesis, 
  • from linear to non-linear thinking.

• • Definitely need to check this out.

• Industrial ecology

  • Never heard of this before. Perhaps there is an emerging field like this in education--educational ecology?
• • A system is a set of elements inter-relating in a structured way.
  • The elements are perceived as a whole with a purpose.
  • The elements interact within defined boundaries.
    
  • A system's behavior cannot be predicted by analysis of its individual elements.
  • The properties of a system emerge from the interaction of its elements and are distinct from their properties as separate pieces.
  • The behavior of the system results from the interaction of the elements and between the system and its environment. (System + Environment of System = A Larger System )
  • The definition of the elements and the setting of system boundaries are subjective actions. So the assumptions of the definers or observers of any system must be made explicit.

  • Modify these for educational leadership analysis of browser extension use at WKU.
• systems practice

  • http://muse.jhu.edu/login?uri=/journals/ethics_and_the_environment/v008/8.1rosenthal.html
• In this time of complex and rapid change, systems thinking has immediate, pragmatic value for companies and agencies of any size.

  • Justification for systems thinking in business life.
• Understanding that we construct a system from a particular point of view is crucial to working with systems thinking

  • I would be interested in finding out whether or not this industrial ecology is ultimately tied to natural ecology and as such ultimately limited by and within natural systems. Isn't Mother Nature's the final point of view? Until we can to planetscaping, I have to think so.
• 1. Managers in a mini-mill company are interested in such elements as the reliability of supply and costs of recycled scrap, technological breakthroughs that increase strength and durability, and process changes that lower emissions. For them, the purpose of the system may be to build a competitive edge for recycled steel.
  
  2. Managers in an auto company, on the other hand, may define a system focused on materials selection that enables them to weigh the relative environmental, production, and cost factors of steel, aluminum, and plastic. They may choose design for environment or life-cycle analysis tools to gain competitive advantage for their product designs.
  

  • Is niche a description of viewpoint? Fascinating. Apply to literature and critical stances.
• In transportation, an industrial ecologist would support short-term enhancements in automobile design through such tools as Design for Environment (DFE). The basic question would be: How can we optimize trade-offs to reduce energy use and pollution in the production process as well as during use of the product?
  
  At another level, an industrial ecologist might ask, how can we transform small vehicle design to capture levels of efficiency and freedom from pollution not possible within the internal combustion model. Rocky Mountain Institute's Hypercar and hybrid electric vehicles are examples.
  
  At a still broader level, an industrial ecologist (possibly in public policy or a competing business) would ask, how can we design integrated transportation systems to move people with highest resource efficiency and lowest possible pollution? How can telecommunications, urban planning, and design of work patterns reduce the number of trips and distance traveled.
  

  • Excellent questions here and ones that can and should be adapted to higher education especially the one about using telecommunications to reduce the number of trips.

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• Systems Thinking in Education

  • I need this.
• perspective that  helps us see and understand

  • more here
• he Network for Creative Change

  • More

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