This article presents a simile for understanding the power of paradigms, mental models, and mind-sets as religion-like phenomena. The author clarifies the meaning of the three phenomena to help readers to see how the phenomena become significant sources of resistance to change. He concludes by outlining a paradigm-shifting process to assist…

Higher education is under enormous pressure to transform itself and embrace a new paradigm. Operating under an outdated model that no longer aligns with the realities of modern society, institutions of higher education are recognizing the need to drastically remake themselves or possibly cease to exist. This article explores the current landscape…

The importance of public education has never been greater as we enter the dawn of a new millennium. Innumerable efforts have been focused on improving public education, but the unfortunate result has been an array of fractured, piecemeal efforts. What is needed is a systemic approach to go from "tweaking" to "transforming"…

At-risk student bodies in public school districts have very different cultures of learning from mainstream learning communities. Policies and practices in schools tend to isolate these student bodies for convenience in administration and instruction, and little consideration is given to whether these experiences of isolation from the larger…

This article, the third in a series of four installments, begins by discussing the need for paradigm change in education and for a critical systems approach to paradigm change, and examines current progress toward paradigm change. Then it explores what a learner-centered, Information-Age educational system should be like, including the APA…

Discussion of redesigning the educational system focuses on a framework for exploring design options for a new educational system. The need to develop a systems view of education is discussed; systems design is described; and the relationship of education to society is considered. (two references) (LRW)

Author argues that managing for change is desirable. It is necessary, but not a sufficient, condition to assure that future important ideas in education become more than passing fads that have little impact upon educational practice and educational output. (Author)

Author categorizes most changes in educational practice as "educational bandwagon phenomenon" and proposes a model describing the factors necessary for effective change. (HB)

Reflects on the shift in educational technology from an innovative style attempting useful change, to a narrow, conservative style emphasizing practicality. Systematic model types are analyzed in terms of five organizational elements. (RAO)

Discusses the current situation in educational systems based on a consideration of scientific concepts including chaos theory, complexity, and dynamical social systems. Highlights include systemic change in education; perturbation; self-organization; dissipation of rigid structures; sensitivity to initial conditions; entropy; bifurcations; and…

Discussion of educational systems design focuses on a framework for exploring the scope of design options to help transform the existing educational system. Staying within the existing system, adjusting the boundaries by adding specific additional issues, and choosing the community or society as the overall context are considered. (LRW)

Examines the concept of systemic change in education and reasons why it is needed in education today. Paradigm shifts in society and the relationship between society and education are considered; and features of an information-age educational system based on changes in the workplace and family are presented. (13 references) (MES)