Definition:
- "Educational system homeostasis is equifinality under system environmental change."
(p.66)
Comments:
- Homeostasis is illustrated by functions that constantly monitor
a system and make adjustments as needed to maintain equilibrium.
Within the physiological systems of higher animals, for example,
there is a tendency to maintain internal stability in response to
change. This tendency is governed by a complex biochemical system
that features communication and control.
Illustration:
Illustration under construction.
Examples:
- A thermostat constantly monitors the air temperature in one's
home and then activates the heating or air conditioning unit to
maintain the desired air temperature. A rubber band pulled at both
ends springs back to its original shape. The automatic pilot
system on an aircraft makes needed adjustments in a craft's
operation as changes in the environment occur. All of these
examples illustrate the concept of homeostasis.
Within sociological systems such as education, however, the
dynamics of homeostasis might be more difficult to observe.
Processes that maintain the status quo despite changes to
the environment might evidence homeostasis in these systems. One
example might be the tendency for "school" to continue despite
epidemics or natural disasters. Another might be the tendency for
many teachers to teach in the way they traditionally have despite
the appearance of computers and other technological innovations in
their environment.
Related Terms:
- Educational System Stability,
Educational System State
Steadiness
Educational System State
Determinacy
Educational System Equifinality
Hypotheses Containing the Property:
Homeostasis
- # 143. If educational system feedin is constant then homeostasis is less than some
value.
# 156. If educational system equifinality at a given time
and education system homeostasis is greater than
some value, then regulation is less than some
value.
# 176. If educational system state steadiness is less than
some value, then segregation is less than some
value and integration is
less than some value and homeostasis is less than some
value.