Subject: Discussion at International System Dynamics Society

Posted by Dexter Chapin on 8/26/2008
In Reply To:Discussion at International System Dynamics Society Posted by David Wheat on 8/22/2008

Message:

Several years ago, there was a similar discussion here about why SD was not making greater inroads in K-12 education. And, like now, most of the discussion was about SD itself. And for this list, perhaps that is as it should be. However, SD is only a part, in fact a small part, of the complexity that is a classroom. And if the rest of the classroom does not change to accommodate it, SD will have a very difficult time taking root simply because it is such a small part of the culture.

I hate to sound like a shill, but this subject deserves more space than this format allows. Therefore, I am going to tell everybody that I have written a short book about the kind of classroom, and the kind of teaching, that would be conducive to SD. The table of contents includes: Introduction; Becoming a Teacher; What to Teach; How to Teach; Managing the Classroom; Managing the Process; and Beyond the Classroom.

The description on the back cover says:

“Dexter Chapin has authored a fascinating and important book on the dynamics of teach-

ing. In a collection of short essays he guides readers through his mental model, couched

in systems and chaos theory, for understanding and improving classroom teaching and

learning. As he guides readers through the intricacies of his mental model we are exposed

to the characteristics of teachers, the development of new teachers, classrooms that are

designed to seize advantages associated with systems thinking, essential student attributes, classroom culture, and other fascinating topics that characterize his view of the

dynamics of teaching. In an era where the Industrial Age model of teaching and learning

has hit its performance ceiling, a new paradigm for teaching and learning is needed.

Chapin’s book offers a glimpse at what that new paradigm might look like.”

—Francis M. Duffy, professor of change leadership in education, Gallaudet University;

and codirector, FutureMinds: Transforming American School Systems—an initiative

of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology.

The title is, Master Teachers; making a difference on the edge of Chaos, by Dexter Chapin. It will be published September 28, and can be ordered online from either Barnes and Noble or Amazon at this point.

Follow Ups:

Discussion at International System Dynamics Society - Jennifer Arzberger 8/27/2008 
Discussion at International System Dynamics Society - Dexter Chapin 8/29/2008