“Footprints of Emergence”: Visualizing the Features That Support or Constrain Complexity in Education

• In Event: Sunday Roundtable 9:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Complexity Theories in Education: Roundtable (Table 14)

Abstract

Complexity researchers are interested in the interactions, patterns, and features of complex systems. These systems are notoriously difficult to examine and conceptualize. One approach to understanding complex systems is data visualization, arranging data from portions of a system to support analysis and new perspectives that can inform decision-making. This paper examines one such visualization tool – modifying Williams et al.’s (2012) “footprints of emergence” – in the context of a study on formative classroom assessment and emergent learning. After a three-stage revision process, the instrument was used to visualize the features of three teachers’ classrooms. Analyses highlight the ways features of each system may foster or constrain students’ learning, with implications for other studies interested in visualizing features of complex systems.

Author

• Michael Holden, University of Winnipeg