Although the fields of chaos and complexity are important in a number of disciplines, they have not yet been influential in education. This book remedies this dilemma by gathering essays by authors from around the world who have studied and applied chaos and complexity theories to their teaching. Rich in its material, recursive in its interweaving of themes, conversational in its relationships, and rigorous in its analysis, the book is essential reading for undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals who deal with these important topics.
«'Chaos, Complexity, Curriculum, and Culture: A Conversation' is a landmark text in the history of educational ideas. It has a simple focus: the new science that established the technical rationality of modernism, and that survives, variously, in the Tyler rationale for curriculum development, in the paradigm of the audit society adopted in public management, and in the high-stakes quality-assurance rituals of public schooling. Yet this volume also engages because it has a recursive dimension. It also takes new science as its emblem. The contributors suggest that it is defensible to realise the Enlightenment project of liberty, equality and fraternity in other ways. They show us a way, not with a guarantee of success but by engaging us iteratively in their conversation.» (David Hamilton, Umeå University, Sweden)
«'Chaos, Complexity, Curriculum, and Culture: A Conversation' is a must read for anyone concerned about education and learning. It is extremely well written, intertwining history, pedagogy and scholarship. Although there are many ways to define complex systems, the contributors understand and embrace 'systems thinking' and nonlinear concepts in a series of 'conversations' resulting in a fascinating and truly landmark work. It encourages the reader to think differently about learning and educational methods. Most impressive about these iterative 'conversations' is that they discuss the importance of understanding the evolvability and fluidity of educational methods. It demonstrates the emergence of new ways of thinking about education and learning as a complex cycle of social and dynamic, versus static and rigid, processes. This book should be required reading for all students interested in entering the field of education and is a must for all college and university libraries.» (Ellen Goldberg, Santa Fe Institute Research Professor and Consortium Director)
«'Chaos, Complexity, Curriculum, and Culture: A Conversation' is a must read for anyone concerned about education and learning. It is extremely well written, intertwining history, pedagogy and scholarship. Although there are many ways to define complex systems, the contributors understand and embrace 'systems thinking' and nonlinear concepts in a series of 'conversations' resulting in a fascinating and truly landmark work. It encourages the reader to think differently about learning and educational methods. Most impressive about these iterative 'conversations' is that they discuss the importance of understanding the evolvability and fluidity of educational methods. It demonstrates the emergence of new ways of thinking about education and learning as a complex cycle of social and dynamic, versus static and rigid, processes. This book should be required reading for all students interested in entering the field of education and is a must for all college and university libraries.» (Ellen Goldberg, Santa Fe Institute Research Professor and Consortium Director)