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Education as a Complex System: Conceptual and Methodological Implications
Education is a complex system, which has conceptual and methodological implications for education research and policy. In this article, an overview is first provided of the Complex Systems Conceptual Framework for Learning (CSCFL), which consists of a set of conceptual perspectives that are generally shared by educational complex systems, organized into two focus areas: collective behaviors of a system, and behaviors of individual agents in a system. Complexity and research methodologies for education are then considered, and it is observed that commonly used quantitative and qualitative techniques are generally appropriate for studying linear dynamics of educational systems. However, it is proposed that computational modeling approaches, being extensively used for studying nonlinear characteristics of complex systems in other fields, can provide a methodological complement to quantitative and qualitative education research approaches. Two research case studies of this approach are discussed. We conclude with a consideration of how viewing education as a complex system using complex systems’ conceptual and methodological tools can help advance education research and also inform policy
Iron Furnace Problem - What is the porosity distribution in the iron ore hopper?
In the processing of iron ore, pellets are funneled into a furnace and reduced by contact with a gas. We consider the problem of determining whether significant spatial segregation occurs within the furnace based on pellet size. Experiments and computation are used to test whether such segregation may happen at the inlet or near the sides. Experimental results indicate that segregation at the inlet may occur, while segregation due to friction at the sides probably does not. The computational results provided are too crude to base conclusions on, but indicate what could be done with further resources
Structure of the solar photosphere studied from the radiation hydrodynamics code ANTARES
The ANTARES radiation hydrodynamics code is capable of simulating the solar
granulation in detail unequaled by direct observation. We introduce a
state-of-the-art numerical tool to the solar physics community and demonstrate
its applicability to model the solar granulation. The code is based on the
weighted essentially non-oscillatory finite volume method and by its
implementation of local mesh refinement is also capable of simulating turbulent
fluids. While the ANTARES code already provides promising insights into
small-scale dynamical processes occurring in the quiet-Sun photosphere, it will
soon be capable of modeling the latter in the scope of radiation
magnetohydrodynamics. In this first preliminary study we focus on the vertical
photospheric stratification by examining a 3-D model photosphere with an
evolution time much larger than the dynamical timescales of the solar
granulation and of particular large horizontal extent corresponding to on the solar surface to smooth out horizontal spatial
inhomogeneities separately for up- and downflows. The highly resolved Cartesian
grid thereby covers of the upper convection zone and the
adjacent photosphere. Correlation analysis, both local and two-point, provides
a suitable means to probe the photospheric structure and thereby to identify
several layers of characteristic dynamics: The thermal convection zone is found
to reach some ten kilometers above the solar surface, while convectively
overshooting gas penetrates even higher into the low photosphere. An wide transition layer separates the convective from the
oscillatory layers in the higher photosphere.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astrophysics and Space Science; 18 pages,
12 figures, 2 tables; typos correcte
Vhub: a knowledge management system to facilitate online collaborative volcano modeling and research
Packing Characteristics of Different Shaped Proppants for use with Hydrofracing - A Numerical Investigation using 3D FEMDEM
Imperial Users onl
Integrative biological simulation praxis: Considerations from physics, philosophy, and data/model curation practices
Integrative biological simulations have a varied and controversial history in
the biological sciences. From computational models of organelles, cells, and
simple organisms, to physiological models of tissues, organ systems, and
ecosystems, a diverse array of biological systems have been the target of
large-scale computational modeling efforts. Nonetheless, these research agendas
have yet to prove decisively their value among the broader community of
theoretical and experimental biologists. In this commentary, we examine a range
of philosophical and practical issues relevant to understanding the potential
of integrative simulations. We discuss the role of theory and modeling in
different areas of physics and suggest that certain sub-disciplines of physics
provide useful cultural analogies for imagining the future role of simulations
in biological research. We examine philosophical issues related to modeling
which consistently arise in discussions about integrative simulations and
suggest a pragmatic viewpoint that balances a belief in philosophy with the
recognition of the relative infancy of our state of philosophical
understanding. Finally, we discuss community workflow and publication practices
to allow research to be readily discoverable and amenable to incorporation into
simulations. We argue that there are aligned incentives in widespread adoption
of practices which will both advance the needs of integrative simulation
efforts as well as other contemporary trends in the biological sciences,
ranging from open science and data sharing to improving reproducibility.Comment: 10 page
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