scholarly journals Exploring Links between Complexity Constructs and Children’s Knowledge Formation: Implications for Science Learning

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Droboniku ◽  
Heidi Kloos ◽  
Dieter Vanderelst ◽  
Blair Eberhart

This essay brings together two lines of work—that of children’s cognition and that of complexity science. These two lines of work have been linked repeatedly in the past, including in the field of science education. Nevertheless, questions remain about how complexity constructs can be used to support children’s learning. This uncertainty is particularly troublesome given the ongoing controversy about how to promote children’s understanding of scientifically valid insights. We therefore seek to specify the knowledge–complexity link systematically. Our approach started with a preliminary step—namely, to consider issues of knowledge formation separately from issues of complexity. To this end, we defined central characteristics of knowledge formation (without considerations of complexity), and we defined central characteristics of complex systems (without considerations of cognition). This preliminary step allowed us to systematically explore the degree of alignment between these two lists of characteristics. The outcome of this analysis revealed a close correspondence between knowledge truisms and complexity constructs, though to various degrees. Equipped with this insight, we derive complexity answers to open questions relevant to science learning.

Author(s):  
Hans-Jakob Steiger

AbstractConsiderable progress has been made over the past years to better understand the genetic nature and pathophysiology of brain AVM. For the actual review, a PubMed search was carried out regarding the embryology, inflammation, advanced imaging, and fluid dynamical modeling of brain AVM. Whole-genome sequencing clarified the genetic origin of sporadic and familial AVM to a large degree, although some open questions remain. Advanced MRI and DSA techniques allow for better segmentation of feeding arteries, nidus, and draining veins, as well as the deduction of hemodynamic parameters such as flow and pressure in the individual AVM compartments. Nonetheless, complete modeling of the intranidal flow structure by computed fluid dynamics (CFD) is not possible so far. Substantial progress has been made towards understanding the embryology of brain AVM. In contrast to arterial aneurysms, complete modeling of the intranidal flow and a thorough understanding of the mechanical properties of the AVM nidus are still lacking at the present time.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Els Weinans ◽  
Rick Quax ◽  
Egbert H. van Nes ◽  
Ingrid A. van de Leemput

AbstractVarious complex systems, such as the climate, ecosystems, and physical and mental health can show large shifts in response to small changes in their environment. These ‘tipping points’ are notoriously hard to predict based on trends. However, in the past 20 years several indicators pointing to a loss of resilience have been developed. These indicators use fluctuations in time series to detect critical slowing down preceding a tipping point. Most of the existing indicators are based on models of one-dimensional systems. However, complex systems generally consist of multiple interacting entities. Moreover, because of technological developments and wearables, multivariate time series are becoming increasingly available in different fields of science. In order to apply the framework of resilience indicators to multivariate time series, various extensions have been proposed. Not all multivariate indicators have been tested for the same types of systems and therefore a systematic comparison between the methods is lacking. Here, we evaluate the performance of the different multivariate indicators of resilience loss in different scenarios. We show that there is not one method outperforming the others. Instead, which method is best to use depends on the type of scenario the system is subject to. We propose a set of guidelines to help future users choose which multivariate indicator of resilience is best to use for their particular system.


2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 476-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pasl A. Jalil ◽  
M. Z. Abu Sbeih ◽  
M. Boujettif ◽  
R. Barakat

Mathematics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1022
Author(s):  
Gianluca D’Addese ◽  
Martina Casari ◽  
Roberto Serra ◽  
Marco Villani

In many complex systems one observes the formation of medium-level structures, whose detection could allow a high-level description of the dynamical organization of the system itself, and thus to its better understanding. We have developed in the past a powerful method to achieve this goal, which however requires a heavy computational cost in several real-world cases. In this work we introduce a modified version of our approach, which reduces the computational burden. The design of the new algorithm allowed the realization of an original suite of methods able to work simultaneously at the micro level (that of the binary relationships of the single variables) and at meso level (the identification of dynamically relevant groups). We apply this suite to a particularly relevant case, in which we look for the dynamic organization of a gene regulatory network when it is subject to knock-outs. The approach combines information theory, graph analysis, and an iterated sieving algorithm in order to describe rather complex situations. Its application allowed to derive some general observations on the dynamical organization of gene regulatory networks, and to observe interesting characteristics in an experimental case.


Author(s):  
Wilton Lodge

AbstractThe focus of this response to Arthur Galamba and Brian Matthews’s ‘Science education against the rise of fascist and authoritarian movements: towards the development of a Pedagogy for Democracy’ is to underpin a critical pedagogy that can be used as a counterbalancing force against repressive ideologies within science classrooms. Locating science education within the traditions of critical pedagogy allows us to interrogate some of the historical, theoretical, and practical contradictions that have challenged the field, and to consider science learning as part of a wider struggle for social justice in education. My analysis draws specifically on the intellectual ideas of Paulo Freire, whose work continues to influence issues of theoretical, political, and pedagogical importance. A leading social thinker in educational practice, Freire rejected the dominant hegemonic view that classroom discourse is a neutral and value-free process removed from the juncture of cultural, historical, social, and political contexts. Freire’s ideas offer several themes of relevance to this discussion, including his banking conception of education, dialog and conscientization, and teaching as a political activity. I attempt to show how these themes can be used to advance a more socially critical and democratic approach to science teaching.


2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (29) ◽  
pp. 1230014 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTOPHER C. BERNIDO ◽  
M. VICTORIA CARPIO-BERNIDO

The white noise calculus originated by T. Hida is presented as a powerful tool in investigating physical and social systems. Combined with Feynman's sum-over-all histories approach, we parameterize paths with memory of the past, and evaluate the corresponding probability density function. We discuss applications of this approach to problems in complex systems and biophysics. Examples in quantum mechanics with boundaries are also given where Markovian paths are considered.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Bueno Doral ◽  
María Lara ◽  
Noelia García‐Castillo

Purpose In the past months, the authors have experienced an exceptional global situation that especially affects the most vulnerable population. This paper aims to analyse the needs, strengths and good practices of the organisations that have continued to study with the migrant population during the health crisis. The main objective was to determine how the health, social and communication crisis has affected the management of the organisation itself, the communications with its direct beneficiaries, the communications with the rest of society, as well as the perception that organisations specialised in migration have about how media has communicated the information of COVID-19 and migrant population. Design/methodology/approach The authors have circulated a questionnaire with open questions that covered the four dimensions previously mentioned. Findings The results show the analysis of the answers of 11 of the most important national and international organisations in the field of migration and refuge that operate in Spain. Originality/value Key issues have emerged related not only to the principal management concerns, internal digital communication, the adaptability of external communication and the major effort required to provide information about migration but also to innovative good practices. That other third sector organisations focussed on migration will be able to apply in the future and in other geographic areas.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 115-120
Author(s):  
Sultanov Mukhtor Mamadalievich ◽  
Dzhumaev Mamanazar Irgashevich

Over the past thirty years, many reforms have been carried out in the education of intellectually, physically perfect youth. Mathematics is identified as one of the priority areas for the development of science in our country in 2020. Over the past period, a number of systematic works have been carried out aimed at raising mathematical science to a qualitatively new level. In order to further improve the system of teaching mathematical science at all levels of education, to support the effective work of teachers, to expand the scale and practical importance of scientific research, strengthen ties with the international community, and also fulfill the tasks identified in the State Program for the Implementation of the Five-Step Action Strategy priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017 - 2021 in the "Year of the development of science, education and the digital economy".


Author(s):  
Michael Vallance ◽  
Stewart Martin ◽  
Charles Wiz ◽  
Paul van Schaik

Science education is concerned with the meaningful pursuit of comprehension, knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts and processes. In Vygotskian social constructivist learning, personal interpretation, decision-making and community cooperation fosters long-term understanding and transference of learned concepts. The construction of knowledge requires learners to be actively involved in the process of learning. For effective science learning to take place an instructor’s pedagogical approach must be anchored in meaningful contexts so that students have actual opportunities to experience science. This paper presents the early stages of a research project that attempts to assess and define effective measurements for evaluating strategies for communicating science by using LEGO robots and Mindstorms™ RCX controllers that are collaboratively constructed and programmed by students using virtual technologies while physically situated in different locations.


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