Role of Systems Approach in Education

Abstract

This paper purposes the definition, characteristics, steps, advantages of systems approach and connection of system approach with education. The systems approach was much prevalent in technological, commercial and administrative working systems. The first ever application and development of this concept was done in the field of mechanics and military science, and later, it influenced much physiology and ideologies in sociological and educational sciences. The etymological meaning of the term 'system' is the combination of such things which are controlled and operated by a continually running interaction or mutually dependent processes. A system is an extensive process which includes many concepts in a systematic manner. Any system has the following four basic elements or parameters: Input, Process, Output, and Environment. The systems approach is a team works in which specialists of different subjects (as science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, economics, politics, sociology, accountancy and behavioral sciences) work together. Education, as a system, comprises of evaluation of students, teachers, curriculum, content and instructional objectives in the form of different elements. In the systems approach of education, in the interaction of all these elements, the teaching-learning process is considered responsible for communication and control. In this context, the educational system is formed of teacher, student and instructional programme and a specific type of interaction pattern is developed. The systems approach is becoming more and more important in the field of education too. The educational systems functions for the accomplishment of its specific goals in every nation, and is influenced by the super social system. Education gets all its inputs, outputs, resources and obstacles from the society. The educational system is evaluated in the context of social system. There are several sub-systems in a system, such as educational management, educational administration, educational guidance etc. Under the systems approach, the above eight steps can be adhered to effectively control the entire educational process and educational input, and thus other related educational problems can be solved. In the educational field, the systems approach is an important means to organize and determine different programmes for the better training and development of teachers and students. Keywords- Systems, Approaches, Education DOI : 10.7176/JEP/10-23-15 Publication date : August 31 st 2019