Understanding Chaos and Complexity in Education Systems Through Conceptualization of Fractal Properties

  • Şefika Şule Erçetin
  • Ssali Muhammadi Bisaso
  • Fathimath Saeed
Conference paper
First Online:
Part of the Springer Proceedings in Complexity book series (SPCOM)

Abstract

Education is a trans-phenomenal, trans-disciplinary, and inter-discursive enterprise. Research into education necessarily reflects this. Educational theorists are making increasing use of the metaphors and concepts of complexity thinking in their discourses. This is normally done in company of exploration of chaotic tendencies in education systems. In this paper we discuss the elements of complexity that engulf educational systems today and highlight some cases of chaos in the education system as well. In doing so we also dissect the properties of fractals which obtain in chaos and complexity theory and how they relate with the features of education systems. We conclude by arguing that if the managers and stakeholders in education are fully abreast with properties of fractals, they would find education systems quite manageable since the properties would inform their operations through understanding the nature, steps and implications of various scenarios in the education system. Thus knowledge of fractal properties becomes a sine-qua-non for educational management and understanding of education systems. We hope the study is a ground breaking one and there is no gain saying that it will contribute massively to the growing body of elusive knowledge that is fractals and how they can help educationists transform the education systems.

Keywords

Education Chaos Complexity System Fractals Fractal properties 
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Copyright information

© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015

Authors and Affiliations

  • Şefika Şule Erçetin
    • 1
    • 2
  • Ssali Muhammadi Bisaso
    • 3
    • 4
  • Fathimath Saeed
    • 5
    • 6
  1. 1.Long Distance Education, Application and Research CentreHacettepe UniversityAnkaraTurkey
  2. 2.International Science AssociationAnkaraTurkey
  3. 3.Islamic University in UgandaMbaleUganda
  4. 4.Department of Educational Management, Planning, Supervision and EconomicsHacettepe UniversityAnkaraTurkey
  5. 5.Ministry of EducationMaléMaldives
  6. 6.Department of Educational Management and SupervisionGazi UniversityAnkaraTurkey

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