To shift educational research's focus from the rigorous study of individuals to whole learning environments, a systemic view of the classroom is proposed, with a list of seven generic components of the classroom environment. L. Guttman's Small Space Analysis is used, and a science teaching project illustrates the discussion. (SLD)

Defines collaborating systems, i.e., hardware, software, communications, and people working together; examines the need for machine-supported collaboration; and addresses the major obstacles impeding the progress of collaboration, including economic, political, human, and technical factors. A framework for the implementation of machine-supported…

Reviews the history of the development of the field of performance technology. Highlights include early teaching machines, instructional technology, learning theory, programed instruction, the systems approach, needs assessment, branching versus linear program formats, programing languages, and computer-assisted instruction. (LRW)

Because many available employee training tools are not suitable for the college or university environment, college personnel trainers must create their own. This article proposes an approach to developing such tools which is based on behavior modeling and is designed to maximize transfer of skills learned to the work environment. (MSE)

Explores optimal foraging theory, derived from evolutionary ecology, for its potential to clarify and operationalize studies of scholarly communication. Metaphorical parallels between subsistence foragers and scholarly information seekers are drawn. Hypotheses to test the models are recommended. The place of ethnographic and bibliometric…

Describes bibliographic instructional design, a method that combines the systems approach of instructional design with the behavioral taxonomy approach. Highlights include integrating affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor objectives; and three levels of information literacy, including critical thinking, using information retrieval knowledge, and…

Describes cities as sovereign territorial systems engaging in political struggles with other sovereignties such as states, dominating their physical environment, and exercising jurisdiction over people and institutions within their boundaries. Calls for a more comprehensive history of the city and its residents. (CJS)

Contends that comparison studies offer one important view from which to frame questions about the study of distance education. Responds to Farhad Saba's ("Toward a Systems Theory of Distance Education") major premises about distance-education research. (AEF)

The priorities for science must change to confront the social and environmental problems brought on by the policies in science and technology during the past century. Contends that educators must have a clearer, broader understanding of the nature of science, its history, and its current structure in order to effect necessary changes in science…

Examines intergenerational conflict as a precursor to substance use among second-generation Asian-Indian adolescents. Based on systems theory, a structural model depicting the linkage and temporal sequelae of mediating factors is presented. Identifies risk and protective factors unique to Asian-Indian adolescents. Examines the impact of gender…

Current views on leadership and leadership competencies overlook nonrational and unconscious aspects of human functioning. Six perspectives on group work leadership are presented, with suggestions for competencies derived from the fields of systems thinking and psychodynamic psychology. Outdoor leaders could benefit from developing their intuition…

Considers strategies for the implementation of quality improvement in libraries. Highlights include structured quality improvement, especially Total Quality Management; organizational change; customer focus; continuous improvement; data-based decision making; systems thinking; employee involvement in decision making; diffusion of innovation;…

Presents an overview of a course in systems engineering and creative systems at Loughborough University. Explains the way that creativity is encouraged, the use of systems understanding, and a model for design processes. Includes examples of projects and student work. (DDR)

Illustrates how the Dick and Carey systems approach model (1990) can still be used as part of the instructional design and developmental process in an inquiry-based online constructivist learning environment. Focuses on the Shell Island Dilemma, a scientific inquiry simulation on the Carolina Coastal Science Web site. (AEF)

The article analyses the system of institutional quality assessment at universities and lays foundation to its functional, morphological and processual parameters. It also presents the concept of the system and discusses the distribution of systems into groups, defines information, accountability, improvement and benchmarking functions of higher…