Describes a social development program for elementary school children that was developed using systems methodology. All school members were involved. Both students and teachers reported positive changes, as well as improved school attendance. The problem-solving approach included: needs assessment, specifying objectives, generating alternative…

The application of a systems approach to intergenerational programs is described. This collaborative programing involves structured thinking about program development and problem solving. Components of the process of linking systems are presented, and some examples of local, state, and national efforts are described. Anticipated outcomes of the…

One of the difficulties encountered by novice problem solvers in introductory physics is in the area of problem solving. It has been shown in other studies that poor problem solvers are affected by the surface aspects of the problem in contrast with more efficient problem solvers who are capable of constructing a mental model of the physical…

The first report of an ongoing case study examining the impact of using a laboratory of microcomputers as a tool for teaching science and social science courses in a high school, this paper reports on a sociological investigation of the organizational change in the structure and functioning of the school brought about by the introduction of the…

A training program for upper-middle to upper-level managers of a company in Iran uses the lecture/seminar approach. The goals of the course are to develop insights into problem areas connected with the development of a pragmatic intercultural management model, and to introduce approaches and prerequisites for modern management. The 10 lectures…

Children and adolescents are prone to develop a range of social problems in family and peer relationships, mental health, substance abuse, and school performance. With a reduction in support available to them in many family environments, peer relationships become increasingly important. A number of the social problems children and adolescents face…

Systems analysis is about problems and their solutions. Analysts are warned that in a field of constant change, this text can only provide some of the needed tools and information, not all of the answers. Wise systems analysts never become fixed on one technique or technology, knowing that they will change, but instead focus on learning…

School psychology is a very complex field further complicated by current socio-political contexts which mandate the development of a psychology of school psychology, requiring two things as first steps. The first step is a model which outlines the conceptual map of the area, gives direction to investigations in the area, and checks on the…

This document presents Nevada's standards for K-12 technology education. The first section provides guidelines for grades K-3, 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12 for the following content standards: (1) students will utilize problem-solving processes through the use of resources to reach a desired outcome; (2) students use appropriate productivity tools…

This study examines, from an organizational perspective, decision rules guiding program discontinuance, testing the framework of decision rule rationality versus action rationality. A multi-site case study method was used; interviews were conducted with 11-16 individuals at each of four research I or II universities that had discontinued at least…

This paper describes a theoretical perspective in which teacher performance and classroom procedures in technology-based settings can be observed and compared. The paper uses as an example the Systems Thinking and Curriculum Innovation Network (STACIN) Project, which implements a simulation-modeling software package as an analytic problem solving…

This study compared the efficiency (time) and accuracy of two representations of instructional algorithms--list versus flow chart--for the task of using indexes to search for document numbers in the U.S. Documents Monthly Catalog. Participants were 55 undergraduates and 5 adults at the Virginia Military Institute. Two sets (flow charts and lists)…

This paper examines the effect of using a systems thinking approach in existing secondary school curricula to teach content-specific knowledge as well as general problem solving skills, and the effect of using STELLA (Structural Thinking Experimental Learning Laboratory with Animation), a simulation-modeling software program, as a tool by which to…

This report favors a systems-oriented evaluation for improving minority student achievement, an inclusive approach, which may require funds to be (at least temporarily) withdrawn from other research activities. When financial resources are limited, such an evaluation may focus on a relatively limited range of related evaluation issues. In…

Ideas that have been developed in the decision support systems (DSS) literature that seem particularly relevant to institutional research, planning, and analysis (IRPA) are reviewed. In addition, a survey of practitioners in Canadian universities that provides new information on the rapidly changing current state of information technology,…