When Evidence-Based Meets Reality: The Role of Systems Thinking in Educational Research and Practice in the 21st Century

Session Type: Invited Session

Abstract

In the field of education, questions arise about what constitutes evidence-based and its use in guiding research and program design. Underlying research assumptions often ignore scientific knowledge about how complex systems function and adapt. As a result, many initiatives fail to transform schools because they emphasize discrete outcomes over systems change.

There is growing need within the field to develop methodological frameworks based on systems thinking that enable researchers and practitioners to study change efforts over multiple contexts and cases. In this interactive session, we’ll use principles of Adaptive Action to explore and articulate the role of systems thinking in educational research and practice and identify next steps that we as systems thinkers can take to move forward.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Systems Thinking in Education

Chair

• Janice E. Noga, Pathfinder Evaluation and Consulting

Presenters

• Royce Holladay, Human Systems Dynamics Institute

• Leslie Patterson, Human Systems Dynamics Institute