When a complex process (like design or science) is described in a model (like IDM or ISM) there is a tension between the conflicting criteria of simplicity and completeness. When a model is more complete it allows a more accurate description, but the resulting complexity can make the model less useful for education if students feel overwhelmed and confused because too many concepts are presented too quickly.
But this potential difficulty can be minimized — thus allowing a model to be used for teaching students of different ages and experience, abilities and interest — if the information content of the model is adjusted by simplification and enrichment. For example, in two pages (Introduction to Design and Overview of Design) IDM is described in two ways, using visual diagrams (shown below) and verbal descriptions that vary in detail, beginning with simplicity and building toward completeness and complexity.
To help students cope with complexity while you are helping them develop an understanding that is deeper and more complete, a useful teaching tool is an isolation that makes it easier for students to focus their attention on one part of the IDM diagram. This can be done by using a special diagram that has one part highlighted with a white background, as shown below, or by using a regular diagram and covering everything except the part that is the current focus of attention.
Isolations (with students focusing on the "highlighted in white" part of the whole) can be used in a whole-part-whole teaching method that shifts back and forth between the whole diagram and isolations. Used skillfully, this method will help students learn more about each part of IDM and its relationship to other parts and to the whole, as they learn to understand and appreciate the organized complexity of design. A whole-part-whole approach is useful for gradually building complexity while avoiding an information overload. It can also help students improve their ability to interpret visual symbolism and to understand the logical relationships within complex systems of concepts. Just as important, they can gain confidence in their ability to cope with complexity.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar