More Ill Structured Problems

Andrew was discussing power and priviledge and made me think about zero sum game. I wrote above about “ill structured problems.”

In a previous class, we spent a lot of time talking about self-authorship, and the ability to see problems from several different perspectives, understand that no problem has one solution and can be seen from several different lenses, or even that there are “ill-structured” problems, problems with no binary or right and wrong answer. 

According to Jonassen (1997), "these problem types do not represent well-defined classifications, but rather represent a continuum from decontextualized problems with convergent solutions to very contextualized problems with multiple solutions" (p. 67). 

I think that this question you’ve posed falls clearly within this realm. Can equality ever truly be attained? As soon as one group that is dominant and has power and privilege is ousted or undermined, another group will then have that power and privilege and it will be used to create systems that try to keep that group in power. I do think there is movement in positive directions over time. 

Look through the years and decades and seeing that positive movement away from more repressive rules and strictures, but it’s a slow movement and it takes time unless we want wild swings. Ultimately I agree with you that it takes personal resolution and it starts with the individual. Ultimately if enough individual as make the commitment and positive change then it creates that positive movement for society. 

Reference

Jonassen, D. H. (1997). Instructional Design Models for Well-Structured and Ill-Structured Problem-Solving Learning Outcomes. Educational Technology Research and Development, 45(1), 65–94.