Resumen

SCHAFFERNICHT S., Martín  y  MADARIAGA A., Patricio. Using Cybernetics for Early Detection of Instructional Problems in the Chilean Educational System. REDIE [online]. 2002, vol.4, n.2, pp.1-17. ISSN 1607-4041.

This paper is based on the premise that in order to avoid opportunity losses in education, it is desirable and possible to develop a early-warning system for detecting errors during such processes. Our proposal draws from two perspectives. From cybernetics we take the idea that a logically selfreferring system can autonomously transform itself, shaping what Beer named a "viable system". From learning theories we incorporate an action-learning stance with multi-levelled cycles. Our system distinguishes two different time-horizons: a long cycle manages changes made to courses, and a shorter one manages intra-course corrective actions. At the intra-course level, we pay attention to three levels of possible dysbalances: the learner, the group of learners and the instructor. We shape a triple cycle for each of the levels and propose a set of indicators for early warning. This system has shown a capability to self-adjustment and is under further investigation. This paper is based on field work in the ENLACES Project in Chile; in this framework, the University of Talca trains basic and secondary school teachers of the Maule region in the use of computers.

Palabras llave : Instructional improvement; total quality management; cybernetics; management information systems.

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