Understanding Open and Closed Systems

Types of Systems

• Open systems exchange relationships and influences with surrounding systems.
• Open systems have continuous interaction with their environment, being affected by it and influencing it at the same time.
• Open systems exchange materials, information, and energies with the surrounding environment.
• Open systems have a continuous flow of inputs and outputs.
• There is a close relationship between inputs and outputs of open systems through feedback.
• Open systems reorganize inputs in light of outputs to develop and maintain survival.
• Inputs within the open system are transformed into outputs through interactions and active processes.
• Open systems are characterized by flexibility, survival, interconnectedness, integration of parts, and balance.

Closed Systems

• Closeness is a relative issue; no system is entirely closed as inputs originate from the environment.
• Closed systems attempt to purify inputs from environmental influences, ignoring feedback.
• Closed systems isolate themselves from environmental data, needs, and aspirations.
• Closed systems limit their flexibility.
• Closed systems consider their members as machines with specific goals that cannot change.

The Concept of Education System

• The education system is the framework that includes all elements of the educational process.
• The education system is a group of linked components within a common environment, with each component performing a specific function complementing the others.

Factors Affecting the Education System

• Population factor: This factor is related to the different races and age groups within a country.
• Cultural factor: Includes religion, language, customs, traditions, and morals of a country.
• Economic factor influences the resources available for education, impacting services, buildings, and educational tools.
• Geographical factor: Climate and environment shape holidays and study plans.
• Political factor: Includes political policies, war, and other political issues which can affect the educational system.

Characteristics of the Education System

• The education system is an independent entity with boundaries distinguishing it from the surrounding environment.
• The education system affects and is affected by the environment around it.
• The education system has interconnected, interactive, and integrated elements linked by functional relationships.
• The education system is characterized by flexibility due to continuous dialogue and interaction with the environment.
• The education system has a specific goal (transformational) of transforming inputs into outputs..

Basic Elements of Education

• Inputs: Human and material resources needed for system operation, including symbolic, human, or material.
• Processes: The mechanism for transforming inputs into outputs, encompassing management, organization, coordination, decision-making, and interactions between individuals and the internal/external environment.
• Outputs: Variables affected by the system, being the results (products) of the processes, considered as the goal of system operation.
• Feedback: Comparing obtained results with established standards to identify differences and deviations, enabling correction.

System Analysis Method

• System analysis is a method consisting of interconnected and mutually influential elements in function and activity.
• System analysis aims for a desirable final output.
• Studying subjects through an integrated learning system with defined relationships between subjects.
• Systems approach is methodical planning for achieving goals from a mission.
• Systems analysis is crucial in defining goals that support growth and clear system needs.
• System analysis is the best tool for accurately determining educational requirements.
• System analysis method involves several steps; however, scholars disagree on the proper number of steps.

Steps in System Analysis Method

• Describing the System: A description of the current system's state, components, and performance.
• Analyzing the System: Recognizing obstacles, problems, difficulties that affect system performance.
• Designing an alternative system: Develop alternatives to address weaknesses and propose improvements to the system.

Objectives of Applying Systems Analysis in Education

• Limiting inputs and identifying their impact on outputs.
• Identifying the relationship between inputs and desired outputs.
• Defining and determining desired objectives (outputs).
• Creating standardized tests that measure outputs.

Origins of System Method

• Systemic thought emerged in the 19th century as a prominent feature in various fields.
• Systems approach was clear in 1942 when scientists studied physical phenomena.
• Systems approach gained traction during World War II.
• Its use in education became more prevalent in 1960 due to increasing change and need for deep thinking in education.

Characteristics of System Analysis Method

• Interest in the overall view of events and situations.
• Ability to analyze behavior, function, event, situation and general structure of a system.
• Linking theory and application of system analysis method.