Teaching Near The Edge of Chaos: Dynamic Systems, Student Choices and Library Research

Abstract

This article is an investigation of the Dynamic Systems theory and its application to instruction and the learning process. Curricular suggestions are provided from the authors' collaborative uses of library instruction within university academic courses. These suggestions address the use of environmental (classroom) and task manipulations to provide students with choices within activities related to conducting literature reviews. A Four-Step Teaching Model, based on the "Ecological Task Analysis Model" (Davis and Burton, 1991), is also outlined, to give readers a step-by-step procedure to use when developing classroom curricula and delivery plans.

Keywords

• dynamic systems; library instruction; librarian-faculty collaboration