This volume is both a state-of-the-art display of current thinking on second language development as a complex system. It is also a tribute to Diane Larsen-Freeman for her decades of intellectual leadership in the academic disciplines of applied linguistics and second language acquisition. The chapters therein range from theoretical expositions to…

Policymakers and educators are increasingly expressing concerns that the U.S. is lagging behind other countries in educating the next generation of mathematicians and scientists. In response, the federal government, private foundations, and many "institutions of higher education" (IHEs) are encouraging STEM (science, technology,…

This study reinvestigates the systems approach, which is, among educators, a well-recognized approach reflecting the fundamental discourses of the industrial order. The pervasive discourses of the industrial order that failed to invite a holistic view for students have led to a conceptual division. This systemic thinking has thus started viewing…

Discusses the adoption of a notation system that is generalizable to all instructional designers and will allow and encourage a common communication base. Ten instructional design models are discussed as systems approaches to instructional design. (JEG)

Learners must acquire a general strategic orientation in their problem solving, to determine what counts as relevant information in problematic situations. A dynamic systems approach is called for in determining whether general or context-specific instructions are needed to promote transfer of relevant information to novel conditions. (Author/JDD)

Addresses the problem of the failure of students to see a physiological system in an integrated way. Programmable calculators armed with a printer are suggested as useful teaching devices that avoid the expense and the unavailability of computers for modelling in teaching physiology. (Author/SA)

This paper describes an effective systems approach for conducting physical therapy inservice training. The approach requires that the problem area be selected by staff consensus, and consists of eight elements such as "prioritizing needs" and "constructing performance measures." The approach is applied to planning and administering therapeutic…

Presents a way to teach energy, economics, systems and environment as a whole, using symbols. Symbolic representations of energy systems and several teaching activity suggestions are included. (MR)

The ecological systems approach to language ability and disability views language as context-dependent, integrates language content with other skills, and emphasizes higher level thinking. The emergence of the ecological systems view is described, and the ecological approach is compared with the more narrow approach traditionally found in school…

Describes a classroom activity to introduce students to pros and cons of recent bottle bill legislation which proposes restrictions on the sale of nonreturnable beverage containers. Flowcharts are used to analyze the problem in a systems format. (Author/AV)

Two exercises are provided which give students a chance to experience systems, to discover some of the qualities of a system, and some of the implications of interdependence. In the exercises, students assemble a flashlight that does not have all the necessary parts and role play a mechanical system. (Author/DE)

What kinds of instructional materials provide students with the experiences and activities that help them learn? Suggests that teachers should use local production facilities to design and produce their own materials for classroom use. (Author/RK)

Continues an earlier paper which dealt with the basic concepts concerning the learning process that should be used as a starting point for the instructional design process. Instructional decisions that should be taken at the macro design level are discussed. Twenty-five references are listed. (LLS)

Presents a framework for model development that, when used, will help the student (or professor) avoid the major pitfalls associated with modeling. Includes not properly identifying the controlling factors, lack of model validation and developing a model that is incompatible with its end use. (CW)

Physical education teachers must systematically design instructional strategies which: (1) permit positive interaction between student and environment; (2) define elements in the teaching-learning process; (3) interpret how each element contributes to objectives; (4) analyze interdependencies; and (5) organize the best mix. A sample instructional…