What is complexity theory?
For Newton, the universe was rationalistic, deterministic and of clockwork order; effects were functions of causes, small causes (minimal initial conditions) produced small effects (minimal and predictable) and large causes (multiple initial conditions) produced large (multiple) effects.
Predictability, causality, patterning, universality and ‘grand’ overarching theories, linearity, continuity, stability, objectivity, all contributed to the view of the universe as an ordered and internally harmonistic mechanism in an albeit complex equilibrium, a rational, closed and deterministic system susceptible to comparatively straightforward scientific discovery and laws.
From the 1960s this view has been increasingly challenged with the rise of theories of chaos and complexity. Central to chaos theory are several principles ...
Research Methods in Education
And these ideas are being applied more and more to education:
Complexity theory and school improvement: some possible connections
"Language is not a static rule-governed system":
Complexity Theory: A New Way to Think
Diane Larsen-Freeman
University of Michigan
It was pure good fortune that I encountered Complexity Theory (CT) some years ago. It originates in the physical sciences, and I am a mere dilettante in them. However, from the beginning of my acquaintance with CT, I quickly realized that it had much to offer applied linguists. It challenged my concept of language as a static rule-governed system, maintaining instead that “the act of playing the game has a way of changing the rules”
(PDF) Complexity theory: a new way to think
The leading light in the field is Diane Larsen-Freeman:
She is renowned for her work on the complex/dynamic systems approach to second language development.
Diane Larsen-Freeman - Wikipedia
Larsen-Freeman, Diane | University of Michigan School of Education
With some nice videos to explain things a little:
Complexity Theory: A New Way to Think
Diane Larsen-Freeman
University of Michigan
It was pure good fortune that I encountered Complexity Theory (CT) some years ago. It originates in the physical sciences, and I am a mere dilettante in them. However, from the beginning of my acquaintance with CT, I quickly realized that it had much to offer applied linguists. It challenged my concept of language as a static rule-governed system, maintaining instead that “the act of playing the game has a way of changing the rules”
(PDF) Complexity theory: a new way to think
The leading light in the field is Diane Larsen-Freeman:
She is renowned for her work on the complex/dynamic systems approach to second language development.
Diane Larsen-Freeman - Wikipedia
Larsen-Freeman, Diane | University of Michigan School of Education
With some nice videos to explain things a little:
Diane Larsen-Freeman at The New School - YouTube
Diane Larsen-Freeman: Including all Students: A Complex Systems Perspective (JALT2018) - YouTube
And she's written lots - with a review here for some professional development for teachers:
Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching by Diane Larsen-Freeman: Book Review - YouTube
And more:
Complexity Theory and Language Development: In celebration of Diane Larsen-Freeman | Edited by Lourdes Ortega and ZhaoHong Han
To finish, here's a definition of Complex Dynamic Systems Theory as applied to language learning:
In 1997, Larsen-Freeman published an article in which she claimed that second language acquisition should be viewed as a developmental process which includes language attrition as well as language acquisition.[8]
Second language development is mainly studied by applying dynamical systems theory. Language is considered to be a system which includes many subsystems such as linguistic system, phonetic system. Dynamic systems are interconnected, nonlinear, adaptive, open, sensitive to initial conditions. Variability is seen as an inherent property of development and it is not viewed as measurement error, therefore from a dynamic systems perspective variability in the data is analysed and considered valuable information.
Complex Dynamic Systems Theory - Wikipedia
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Diane Larsen-Freeman: Including all Students: A Complex Systems Perspective (JALT2018) - YouTube
And she's written lots - with a review here for some professional development for teachers:
Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching by Diane Larsen-Freeman: Book Review - YouTube
And more:
Complexity Theory and Language Development: In celebration of Diane Larsen-Freeman | Edited by Lourdes Ortega and ZhaoHong Han
To finish, here's a definition of Complex Dynamic Systems Theory as applied to language learning:
In 1997, Larsen-Freeman published an article in which she claimed that second language acquisition should be viewed as a developmental process which includes language attrition as well as language acquisition.[8]
Second language development is mainly studied by applying dynamical systems theory. Language is considered to be a system which includes many subsystems such as linguistic system, phonetic system. Dynamic systems are interconnected, nonlinear, adaptive, open, sensitive to initial conditions. Variability is seen as an inherent property of development and it is not viewed as measurement error, therefore from a dynamic systems perspective variability in the data is analysed and considered valuable information.
Complex Dynamic Systems Theory - Wikipedia
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