INTRODUCTION
This approach of instructional designs was evolved in Second World
War. The term Cybernetic denotes discipline associated with ‘communication and
control’. It suggests concern with component elements of a system which may
function together to produce the most effective integrated system.
MEANING OF CYBERNETICS
The term Cybernetic has been coined from the Greek word Kubernetes
meaning steer man. The function of steer man is to steer the ship or boat in a
right way in a right direction. This means that the person should have proper
control over the steering function. In the similar way, the teacher is the
steersman of the teaching-learning process. He has to take along with him the
pupils for reaching a set goal by steering out a learning path. For this
purpose, the instructional system he chooses must be appropriately controlled.
While working with system, if he gets feedback that the system is working
properly in terms of output, it will be steered with no change. But if he gets
communication that there is something wrong with the system, he will try to set
it right. For this purpose, he may have to bring changes in his own method of
teaching, the size of quality of the content or learning experiences,
interaction with his students, etc. and again the system is put to work after
being corrected.
DEFINITION
Norbert Weiner defined cybernetics as “a flexible, self –adapting
mechanism which is capable of storing information and changing its responses
according to the changing environment in which it is placed.”
CYBERNETIC THEORY
Cybernetic theory views an individual as a feedback system which
generates its activities in order to detect and control specific stimulus
characteristics of the environment. It analyses intrinsic mechanism by which
control is established and sensory feedback mechanism maintained. The focus of
the whole theory is the dynamic feedback and self regulation. All systems
include at least three basic elements; input, process and output
1.
The input unit; It provides
some process by which material or information’s entered the system
2.
The process unit; It acts on
the material of information to modify it in any way.
3.
The output unit; It consists of
some technique for discharging the results of process from the system. The
output is called feedback.
THE SYSTEM CAN BE OF TWO TYPES
1. OPEN LOOP SYSTEM
The open loop system is not a self corrective automatic system
because it is not able to communicate and provide feedback about its working.
Input Process Output
2. CLOSED LOOP SYSTEM
The Cybernetic system stands
for the closed loop system, in which, the output from a system can be
effectively returned as input for controlling the future output. It is referred
as feedback. This type of effective and dynamic feedback is available only in
the closed loop system and it is the central nerve of the Cybernetics approach.
Input
Feedback
Process output
USE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNS
The Cybernetic theory and mechanism can be properly applied to the
process of instruction for making it a self regulatory, self corrective and
auto instructional system. Let us see how it can happen.
·
Ordinarily, the teaching or
instruction as a system may be supposed to have three major elements-input,
process and output
·
The input elements of the
instructional system here will consist of the learning experiences (in the
shape of set curriculum, syllabus, etc.) to be given to the students, their
needs and entry behavior , the objectives of teaching, the teacher, the
instructional methods, the material and material resources, and the teaching
learning environment.
·
In process part, the actual
instructional work will be carried out by involving and making use of the input
material – human and physical.
·
The output part of the teaching
or instructional system will bring the outcomes of the instructional process in
the form of the students’ responses, their gain in knowledge acquisition of
skills, change in attitude and interest, etc. It will throw light on the
effectiveness of the system for the realization of the set instructional
objectives.
APPLICATION OF CYBERNETICS TO EDUCATION
1.
It enables the teacher to
understand some of the fundamental mechanisms which control learning.
2.
The principles of cybernetics
are applied for classroom instruction for group as well as individual learning
3.
It provides the basis for self
education. The feedback control is used to develop programmed instructional
material.
4.
Cybernetic principles are used
for developing remedial instruction or individualized instructional material
5.
Teacher education programme can
be improved by employing innovative practices like micro-teaching, stimulated
social skill teaching and interaction analysis which are based on the theory of
feedback.
ADVANTAGES
The following
are the major implications of Cybernetic in education;
1.
It is applied in group as well
as individual classroom instruction
2.
It enables the teacher to
understand some of the fundamental mechanism that control learning.
3.
It provides the basis for self
education. The feedback control is used to develop programmed instructional
material.
4.
Its principles are used in
developing remedial instruction or individualized instructional material.
5.
Teacher-education programme can
be improved by employing the mechanism of feedback devices for the modification
of teacher behavior
6.
The innovative practices in
education programme such as micro teaching, stimulated social skill teaching
and interactional analysis are based on the theory of feedback
7.
The input, process and output
units of teaching enable the teacher to understand and analyze teaching in more
scientific manner
8.
Teaching activities can be made
highly structured and well organized in view of learning objectives.
CONCLUSION
The teacher has to consider all the factors which generate
appropriate teaching situation. Thus, Cybernetic concept is most useful for
developing design of training programs for complex behavior.
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