tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4717220359532645973.post5724012112448632164..comments2023-04-09T05:54:18.997-04:00Comments on Learning Complexity: Complex or Complicated?keith.hamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08404376705918243534noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4717220359532645973.post-85540700999629070592011-01-24T17:29:58.444-05:002011-01-24T17:29:58.444-05:00Thanks for the comment, and special thanks to Simo...Thanks for the comment, and special thanks to <a href="http://sifowler.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">Simon Fowler</a> for the link to the Cynefin Framework. This captures quite nicely in visual terms some of the concepts I was trying to express in words.<br><br>I agree with Simon that "we're naturally disposed to try to resolve complex, disordered things. We can't help that, and it's a great trait!" Science has made great progress by reducing complexity to simple, clearly defined areas of study. However, this reductionism removes the phenomena under investigation from the environment which gives them meaning. We must, therefore, be able to shift focus from specific to general. Indeed, it is this interplay between specific and general, individual and ecosystem, that begins to define complexity for me.keith.hamonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08404376705918243534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4717220359532645973.post-51899960548391560472011-01-24T13:13:56.801-05:002011-01-24T13:13:56.801-05:00I really like the distinction you are making betwe...I really like the distinction you are making between "complex" and "complicated."<br><br>Both of Jaap's comments seem particularly salient as well. <br><br>Learning is a complex experience, and as such, it would seem that no single model can fit every situation. However, a model that is learner-centered and content-informed would offer a broader flexibility in how we meet the challenge of education.Mary Ann Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03283096403509981025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4717220359532645973.post-60475380953590341082011-01-24T04:56:34.111-05:002011-01-24T04:56:34.111-05:00Language and culture are disturbingly complex: I u...Language and culture are disturbingly complex: <br>I use the word Training for learning a skill. And teaching is about comprehension. <br><br>In my view complex means somewhere is uncertainty and one cannot make predictions. A complicated machine works in a predictable way. A complex system works but is shows surprises.Jaaphttp://connectiv.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4717220359532645973.post-20127427464359503432011-01-24T00:58:21.976-05:002011-01-24T00:58:21.976-05:00Thanks very much for the youtube connection to Cyn...Thanks very much for the youtube connection to Cynefin. As we are discussing the differences between training and teaching in the classroom, we can examine those different types of learning. That some training or some teaching might not be best for certain learning is a useful perspective.<br><br>Also, the Cynefin model can aid our discussion of levels of knowledge, such as differentiating between knowledge of data (the right answer) and knowledge of that same data in connection or relationship with other data. Teachers who are free to decide which of these they will value more can then set their course percentages accordingly.TMClancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16012241815499418770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4717220359532645973.post-76075555281196573152011-01-23T23:07:55.163-05:002011-01-23T23:07:55.163-05:00This is a very interesting question, the differenc...This is a very interesting question, the difference between complex and complicated. I was about to write, "it's essential that we know the difference", but then I thought the opposite! It's essential that we know, conceptually, that some things are complex and some things are complicated. But our approach to learning can't assume what we're learning is complex or complicated - we'll only know that in the process of discovery. <br>We're naturally disposed to try to resolve complex, disordered things. We can't help that, and it's a great trait! What's changed now, though, is that we can expect more complexity, and need to develop a higher tolerance for living in it. <br><br>And while we're on the topic, do you know about the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7oz366X0-8" rel="nofollow">Cynefin Framework</a> (youtube)? The video helpfully shows the difference between Complex, Complicated, Simple and Chaotic.sifowlerhttp://sifowler.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com