Effective Learning & Effective Learning & Application production, Application production,
through Formal through Formal Modelling, & Why? Modelling, & Why?
What? How? What? How? conversationsconversations
By By Gary Boyd &Gary Boyd &
Wojciech JaworskiWojciech Jaworski, Concordia , Concordia University Montreal, CanadaUniversity Montreal, Canada,,
For WOSC 08 Wroclaw PolandFor WOSC 08 Wroclaw Poland
11
Who We are & what we wish to share
TWO PROFESSORS AT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY;
Gary Boyd – Educational Technology – techniques for teaching Educational Cybernetic Systems R&D & Management.
<[email protected]> <http://alcor.concordia.ca/boydg/drboyd.html>
Wojciech Jaworski – Computer Science – teaching complex software and applications development methodology [Context+™]
<http://www.freestraintdesign.com/gsinc >
Course DesignAnd Research
Why? What ? How?Conversations.
COURSE DESIGN -8Key classes of variables 2 /
Context+Maps
Three Learning-ConversationsThree Learning-Conversations
•Why ? are we learning these techniques and tools now?
•What ? are the processes involved here, now ?
•HOW ? can we learn these better together?
• [Boyd (2004) “Conversation Theory” and Harri-Augstein S. & Thomas ,L. (1991) Learning Conversations. London, Routledge.]
The Why? conversationThe Why? conversation• What are the Aspirations &
Expectations & anxieties and time commitments of the participants?
• How we can actually collaboratively handle all by using these systemic modelling techniques and tools.
• Why study these processes in this order? (alternating top-down & bottom-up)
The HOW-TO LEARN/BUILD, CONVERSATIONThe HOW-TO LEARN/BUILD, CONVERSATION
• Start with stories about what is seen as a problem in a focal system.
• GO through the Basic Cybersystemic modelling questions (see next slides).
• Sketch a processes-relationship with the context systems graph –discuss opportunities & constraints.
• Sketch a schema for the processes , conditions, actions and objects in the focal system- discuss
• Choose the model- type or types needed ? (automata, Game, Dynamic system,?)
CYBERSYSTEMIC MODELLING CYBERSYSTEMIC MODELLING INITIAL PHASESINITIAL PHASES
• PHASE1:- From source systems identify (space, time, goals) FOCAL system ?
• Phase2.Map relations/loops between context systems and focal system?
• Phase 3 Model Focal system as an heterarchy of ? games and production systems?
e.g. Phase 2 Context system Questionse.g. Phase 2 Context system Questions
• Q1 – What are the main good (control Variety) and BAD (disturbance Variety) inputs your F/S gets from context systems?
• Q2 What are your F/S main Good and Bad outputs to context systems?
• Q3 What Feedback (-&+) loops from your outputs back to your inputs exist in the context systems?
• What are the time delays and attenuations in each loop?
Similar modelling questions are Similar modelling questions are used to construct the schemas used to construct the schemas for all subsequent modelling for all subsequent modelling
phases.phases.
The Central Question is how The Central Question is how can control variety be made to can control variety be made to exceed disturbance Variety?exceed disturbance Variety?
Formalize & ComputerizeFormalize & Computerize
• Choose the most appropriate formal representation(s) ?
• A game-drama storyboard?• the Dynamic Stack & Flow system
notation (of Stella™, Dynamo™ etc.)or• Put the schemas in Context+™ Maps
(Jaworski et al.) & convert to Java etc.
Modelling with n-dimensional directed Modelling with n-dimensional directed graphsgraphs
•Relationships• graph“Edges”• Shown through
crossbar-switch type graphic display
• Or through LHS of j-Maps
PROCESSESConditions & OBJECTSShown as nodes, or {sets} and subsets in the RHS of j-Maps
Representing directed graphs by j-notationRepresenting directed graphs by j-notation
Map –graph relationshipsMap –graph relationships
joined map schema
partial schema
partial schema
Map and generated graphMap and generated graph
Business Concepts Relations Business Concepts Relations
Business concepts and relations Business concepts and relations context+ generated graphcontext+ generated graph
Knowledge-hub for Evaluation of Business Practices
Context+ options menuContext+ options menu
Challenges we have found:-Challenges we have found:-
• Surface-learning aims –e.g. mash-up existing stuff to make X look good.
• Mere tool-options mastery focus• Context ignore-ance• LACK of Heterarchical Dynamic
Process schema conceptualisation• How to merge/join knowledge from
different sources?• Ad-hoc myopic granularity focus• Too little Quality-Attention-Time
BASIC QuestionsBASIC Questions• How much value do the stakeholders
place on this work?• What level of causal validity and
reliability and fidelity of model/simulation/application performance is therefore justified?
• Are the available people and tools capable of achieving this in time?
ReferencesReferences• Jaworski, W.M. J. (2008) Context+
Resources <www.freestraintdesign.com/gsinc • Boyd, G. M.(2004) “ Conversation Theory”
chap.8, pp. 170-197 in Jonassen, D. H. (Ed.) Handbook of Research for Educational Communications and Technology, 2nd Edn. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.