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

Exploring Storytelling with Survivors of the Sierra Leone Civil War

Bessal van der Kolk (2007) describes the effects of childhood trauma and concludes that the body remembers trauma. Meaning that the results from one\u27s negative experience holds that energy until it is released. Those who have experienced traumatic events due to war may have never had an opportunity to heal from it. In researching different approaches to mental health interventions, this thesis shows the power of storytelling through the method of interviewing. The participants in this investigation are survivors of the civil war in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Six Part story method by Lahad (2006) is used to analyze the reflection of participant response to the entire process

Perancangan Sistem File Elektronik (E-filling) Untuk Unit Pengarsipan Balai Wilayah Sungai Nusa Tenggara II

Arsip merupakan kumpulan dokumen yang disimpan secara teratur, terencana dan mempunyai suatu kegunaan pada setiap kali diperlukan dapat cepat ditemukan kembali. Pengelolaan Arsip di Balai Wilayah Sungai Nusa Tenggara II, menjadi tanggung jawab Kasubag Tata Usaha BWS NTII. Kondisi pengarsipan saat ini di Balai Wilayah Sungai Nusa Tenggara II yaitu arsip masih dikumpulkan secara fisik pada ruang arsip yang terbatas dengan lemari arsip yang juga terbatas, sehingga arsip belum tertata dan terdata dengan baik, dan juga belum optimalnya pengamanan arsip, terdapat arsip dinamis maupun arsip inaktif yang tercecer dan hilang. Balai Wilayah Sungai Nusa Tenggara II memandang perlu untuk mengoptimalkan penataan dan pengamanan arsip dengan Sistem E-Filling (Penyimpanan Elektronik). Pada penelitian ini, Sistem E-Filling (Penyimpanan Elektronik) dirancang untuk mampu menyimpan seluruh arsip Balai Wilayah Sungai Nusa Tenggara II, disamping itu sistem pun dapat mengamankan arsip sesuai dengan hak akses pada arsip tersebut, dan memudahkan pencarian arsip saat diperlukan

Rancang Bangun dan Implementasi Sistem Pemesanan Ruang Kelas (System Booking Class Online)

Tersedianya sarana dan prasarana dalam menunjang kegiatan pendidikan di Perguruan Tinggi diatur dalam UU No 20 tahun 2003 tentang Sistem Pendidikan Nasional pada pasal 45 ayat 1. Salah satu dari sarana dan prasarana di Perguruan Tinggi adalah ruangan kelas. Dengan meningkatnya jumlah mahasiswa di suatu Perguruan Tinggi maka perlu ketersediaan ruangan kelas yang cukup atau perlu adanya penambahan jumlah ruangan kelas di Perguruan Tinggi tersebut. Namun terkadang ruangan kelas yang tersedia di Perguruan Tinggi belum efektif digunakan. Oleh karena itu perlu adanya suatu manajemen ruangan kelas yang baik. Dalam penelitian ini dibuat Rancang Bangun System Booking Class Online yang kemudian diimplementasikan di Yayasan Citra Bina Nusantara pada tahun ajaran 2017/2018 semester genap. Yayasan Citra Bina Nusantara memiliki dua Sekolah Tinggi yaitu STIKES CHMK dan STKIP CBN, dan menghadapi permasalahan dalam manajemen ruangan kelas. Dari kedua Sekolah Tinggi tersebut meminta untuk adanya penambahan ruangan kelas baru, namun Kenyataan di lapangan penggunaan kelas masih belum efektif. Terdapat beberapa kelas yang kosong namun terjadwalkan. Berdasarkan implementasi sistem pada semester genap tahun ajaran 2017/2018 diperoleh manajemen ruangan kelas dapat dilaksanakan secara efektif dan diperoleh data penggunaan kelas oleh masing-masing program studi. Dengan data tersebut Yayasan dapat mengambil kebijakan untuk melakukan penambahan sejumlah ruangan kelas yang dibutuhkan atau tidak melakukan penambahan ruangan kelas

Genetic variability, stability and heritability for quality and yield characteristics in provitamin A cassava varieties

Open Access Article; Published online: 25 Jan 2020Cassava is widely consumed in many areas of Africa, including Ghana, and is a major part of most household diets. These areas are characterized by rampant malnutrition, because the tuberous roots are low in nutritional value. Provitamin A biofortified cassava varieties have been developed by the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, but adoption of these varieties in Ghana will largely depend on their agronomic performance, including fresh root yield, dry matter content, resistance to major pests and diseases, mealiness, starch content and the stability of these traits. Eight provitamin A varieties with two white checks were planted in three environments for two seasons to determine stability and variability among the varieties for important traits. There were significant variations in performance between varieties and between environments for cassava mosaic disease, root number, fresh root yield and starch content. High broad-sense heritability and genetic advance were observed in all traits, except for storage root number, and could be exploited through improvement programs. This study identified the best performing enhanced provitamin A varieties for traits that are key drivers of variety adoption in Ghana. In view of this, some varieties can be recommended for varietal release after on-farm testing. The study also showed the possibility of tapping heterosis after careful selection of parents