The Systems Movement has gained considerable impetus in this decade. This article reflects on the applicability of a systems approach to many problems in numerous fields. Two books related to this topic are reviewed in detail with content summaries and analyses. (MA)

Written for training directors and human resource developers who have had experience and now need a systematic way to plan new programs, this book presents a new way of thinking about human learning and of organizing programs which has been developed from the systems engineering field. A first chapter explains what is meant by "systems"…

This document conceptualizes the university as a living social system with technical, managerial, service, and institutional subsystems that have specialized goals. The document discusses models of university compliance systems--the compliance of university participants in different models such as formal, semiformal, and informal. In developing…

Objectives of the study (summarized in Chapter I) were (1) to propose a task-oriented viewpoint in which the scientist actively participates as an integral part of the system in performing research tasks, (2) to identify major system planning decisions and criterion concepts for use in evaluation of proposed information systems, and (3) to…

This document presents a systems theory approach to post-secondary education. Terms such as entropy, energy, and "essergy" together with the laws of thermodynamics are applied to educational concepts. A philosophical approach with interspersed quotations from Hegel, Korzybski, and Adelman is used to design a new educational paradigm based upon…

Containing articles published in recent issues of "Educational Technology" magazine, this volume in the review series provides an introduction to the systems approach. Included are articles which cover management demands and prerequisites, systems concepts and computers, personnel training, accountability, systems models for educational functions…

This report describes the U.S. Navy Shore Activity Manpower Planning System (SAMPS) advanced development research project. This effort is aimed at large-scale feasibility tests of manpower models for large Naval installations. These local planning systems are integrated with Navy-wide information systems on a data-communications network accessible…

The paper describes progress in the development of the Advanced Instructional System's Instructional Strategy Subsystem. Described are procedures for developing the Student Evaluation Component (which includes selection and validation of preassessment and within-course measures necessary for the development of a Student Data Profile) and the…

In this presentation the outlines of a general systems model for education which may be of value in the areas of curriculum development, course design and teaching are offered. It is based on what is called the "Principle of Natural Organization" which is defined as follows: every form tends to articulate its elements into functional structures;…

Using effectivemess, efficiency, self-sustenance, and communicability as criteria, a conceptual model, called SCRAPE, was developed at the University of Texas to systematically describe educational behaviors. The key elements of the system are: (1) diagnosis and prescription, (2) instructional events, (3) achievement evaluation, and (4) consequent…

The system approach to planning and managing educational change features the use of an adaptive framework and a strategy for planned system change. The approach focuses management attention upon (1) relevant future states of expectations or goals, (2) present and future state variables and contexts, (3) human organization factors, and (4)…

The guidebook is intended to acquaint vocational educators with two specific management strategies: Management by Objectives (MBO) and the Program Planning and Budget System (PPBS). The long range goal of this project is the formation of a model local annual plan and model five year plan for vocational education in local school districts…

The system approach to planning and managing educational change features the use of an adaptive framework and a strategy for planned system change. The approach focuses management attention upon (1) relevant future states of expectation or goals, (2) present and future state variables and contexts, (3) human organization factors, and (4)…

This paper presents some suggestions about and evidence on how research theories from social psychology can be used to improve the operation and effects of short term educational programs whose objectives include the education or reeducation of individuals. The document is intended for people connected with the kindergarten through college…

A demand for more and better education has driven educators to seek the help of systems analysis in the process of decision making. Basic to the entire systems notion is the concept of a model, a simplified but controllable version of the real world. The systems approach, once the problem is defined, is to specify the subfunctions and…