Examines new types of educational software. Topics addressed include electronic performance support systems (EPSSs); other examples of electronic support; a systems approach and a human approach to identifying a common category for EPSSs; users' activities and needs; feedback; hybrid EPSSs; and design guidelines. (35 references) (LRW)

Examines key "chaos" elements--operation of systems far from equilibrium, nonlinear causation and discontinuous change, patterns in apparent chaos, and self-organization--in relation to family systems theory. Although there are several parallels, chaos theory is better able to address change, inequity, and the occurrence of order and…

Field theory is interactional. It asserts that genetic predispositions, acquired characteristics, uniqueness, and behaviors of individual impact are affected by events and people in environment. This can be seen clearly in development of children who join family rather than being born into it. Resulting complexities can be seen in family therapy…

Family is a major influence on career development. A framework matching developmental stages of children and families is useful in planning and implementing career services for persons with disabilities. (SK)

Discussion of societal and technological changes in the 20th century and the resulting paradigm shift focuses on the need to develop a systems view of education. The genesis of the systems view is explained; an example of a possible systems model is presented; and applications in education are considered. (LRW)

Training is a system of requirements, resources, and results. The requirements tell the system what it needs to do, the system produces results intended to meet the requirements, and the system consumes resources to produce results. Understanding what the customer wants enables trainers to tailor all processes to that goal. (JOW)

A methodology to address "soft system" problems (those that are unstructured or fuzzy) has these steps: (1) mapping the problem; (2) constructing a root definition; (3) applying conceptual models; (4) comparing models to the real world; and (5) finding and implementing feasible solutions. (SK)

Discusses new ideas on the definition of intellectual abilities and how they can be measured. Examines issues of generality of both conventional tests and new tests in the measurement of intelligence. Also addresses the teaching of intelligence and the future prospective of research and development of the technology of testing. (MMU)

Utilizes a family therapy approach to restructure family relationships in order to prevent further runaway behavior of a 15-year-old Mexican-American female. The approach involves a family interview, genogram, and family therapy. The Family Satisfaction Scale was administered to evaluate the effectiveness of the approach. (Author/MKA)

Examines three theses: (1) work teams should be analyzed as object-oriented activity systems; (2) the nature of teams depends on the type of production in which they are implemented; and (3) fluid forms of collaborative work organization are displacing stable teams. (SK)

Reviews key concepts and applications of chaos theory and the broader complex systems theory in the context of general systems theory and the search for a unified conceptual framework for social work. Concludes that chaos theory shows promise as a solution to many problems posed by the now dated general systems approach. (DB)

A systems approach to curriculum evaluation can produce better alignment among written, taught, and tested curriculum. Data and information gathered through comprehensive curriculum evaluation can also be used to improve other core areas of the system: organization, instruction, assessment, and professional development. A systems approach ensures…

This case study examines the application of problem-based learning to the teaching of introductory instructional design (ISD). Suggests that ISD is a dynamic process of problem understanding and problem solution and that ISD instruction should therefore focus more on the problem attributes and not on the generality of the systems approach model.…

Stern and Barley's article in this same "Administrative Science Quarterly" issue gives too much attention to work appearing in the core organization journals and not enough to findings reported in broader and more specialized social-science journals and the book literature. Surveying this broader domain suggests that organizational…

Reports on development of a measure of thinking about leadership processes, as understood through the principles of ecology and systems thinking. Total sample consisted of 659 undergraduates and 16 faculty, staff, and graduate students. The resulting measure consisted of two, 14-item, orthogonal dimensions: Hierarchical Thinking and Systemic…