Educational Systems Theory

Property: Automorphism

Definition:

"Educational system automorphism is components whose connections can be transformed so that the same connections hold." (p.40)

Comments:

Automorphism in a system allows components and connections to be rearranged, while continuing to allow the system to functionas before. There are the same patterns in affect relations pairs.

Illustration:

Examples:

Automorphism is more easily comprehended when considering team or group settings, in which individuals perform several tasks. For instance, a volleyball team is made up of people (components) who rotate (transform connections) through the positions on the team. Regardless of where a component (person) is located, it still performs sufficiently to allow the system to function.

An instructional design team where each person can fulfill multiple functions is another example of automorphism. Design team members can work as project manager, and then change and work as instructional designer. Group projects also allow for automorphism as group members change roles to fulfill changing needs of the project.

Related Terms:

centralization

efficiency

feedout

filtration

fromput

homomorphism

input

output

spillage

storeput

wholeness

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Hypotheses Containing the Property: Automorphism

150. If educational system automorphism increases, then input increases and storeput increases and fromput increases and feedout decreases and filtration decreases and spillage decreases and efficiency decreases.

161. If educational system output is constant and automorphism decreases and homomorphism is greater than some value, then feedout increases.

172. If educational system automorphism increases, then wholeness increases.

173. If educational system automorphism increases, then centralization decreases.

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