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Ras Albert Williams

An inquiry into my systems practice for managing systemic change (Part 2)

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Edited by Albert Williams, Thursday, 16 Nov 2017, 20:50

Introduction

Hello again reader. Here is an update on my latest academic quest with the Open University (OU). Today, I present my findings, reflections and musings concerning my studies thus far on my journey of discovery of this fascinating discipline of Systems thinking and practice. This  this the second installment of my series of blogs entitled, An inquiry  into my systems practice for managing systemic change I began on October 22, 2017.

Prior to the commencement of my reading of the TU812- Managing systemic change: inquiry, action and interaction module material, all I knew about systems mapping was that it was a way of illustrating how various components of a ‘system,’ for instance, general  practitioners within the National Health Service (NHS) related to  the overall whole. I had been introduced to the concept in one or two previous module I have studied with the OU.  Particularly, in T848- Managing Technological innovation of which technology road maps and system maps were a feature of managing technology within an innovative environment.

Specialised terminology

The field of systemic is inquiry is loaded with a host of ‘systemic qualifiers’ of which underscores the seriousness with which ‘systemic practitioners’ are embedded, and with which such terminology aptly defines their understanding of this highly specialised way of thinking. Indeed, Ray  Ison, who I mentioned in my blog of October 23, who is one of the authors of the module’s study guide and author of the textbook, Systems Practice: How to act in situations of uncertainty and complexity in a climate-change world has introduced me a new way of looking at the world, and how the interconnectedness of things, people and places is the foundation on which this academic discipline rests.

Assuming that you, like me, have no prior knowledge of systemic thinking, the title of the course mentions,  ‘systemic change’ and hints at ‘systemic enquiry’. Academics who are involved with systemic enquiry, are said to be conducting ‘systemic practice,  or as mentioned above,  ‘systemic practitioners’ When there is an obvious aberration from a desirable outcome,, it is said to have  been a ‘system failure’. The course team make a distinction between ‘systemic’ and ‘systematic’.

Other terms that  I found that unique to this way of thinking  and that are introduced in part one of the study guide are: terms like ‘social learning systems’ and ‘systems of interest’ and so on. Terms and phrases like ‘praxis-based approach’, trajectory diagrams and ‘learning contracts’, are new to me.

It is the expectation of the course team,  that my understanding of these concepts will grow as the module progress. No doubt, in 9 months time, when I revisit these blogs  I will realise a growth in my understanding and appreciation of ‘system thinking philosophy.

Home-study/ distance learning module

TU812, is a long-distance,  postgraduate module. It is an optional choice for a number of masters degrees. A feature of studying for a qualification with the OU module is the requirement to submit several  tutor module assessments (TMA) and End-of-module Assessments (EMA) which are submitted electronically using the OU system’s ‘Online TMA/EMA Service.

Besides reading the module materials and submitting the assessments, there are usually Self Assessment Questions (SAQ) and a number of activities included for the student to check your learning against the module learning objectives. Activities such as Activity 1.8 below.


Figure 1.0 My trajectory into TU812

The diagram in figure 1.0 above seeks to show the developmental changes that affected my decision to enroll on this module, since this module is concerned with managing systemic change. The diagram also is used as a visual aid to assist the me (the student) to be aware of the influences on that decision and what  I am hoping to achieve having studied the module.

Next time

In my next blog, I will delve more deeply into systemic thinking and the mindset of the systemic practitioner. In addition, I will explore how  I can adapt my newly found learning to addressing my concerns for disaster recovery in islands in the Caribbean devastated by  Hurricanes Irma and Maria this year.

References

Recovery, D. (2017). Disaster Recovery. [online] Dreamstime.com. Available at: https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-disaster-recovery-red-pencil-circle-around-text-image53108852[Accessed 5 Nov. 2017].

The Open University. (2017). TU812 – Managing systemic change: inquiry, action and interaction – Open University Course. [online] Available at: http://www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/modules/tu812[Accessed 5 Nov. 2017].


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Ras Albert Williams

F36 MSc Technology Management update

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Edited by Albert Williams, Thursday, 12 Oct 2017, 09:04


Hi reader


The last time  i updated this blog was in March of this year. My wife Tempie. provided a brief overview of my journey thus far with The Open University, and my imminent commencement of a new era in my life, the pursual of a MSc in Technology Management.


In November, I begin the study of TU812- Managing Systemic Change: Inquiry, action and interaction

Modules that  I have studied thus far on the postgraduate program are:

I am already booked for the May.2018 start of:



I am on target to complete my MSc by 2019 with:


That is all for now.


Albert

N.B: I have since been granted professional  membership of the British Computer Society


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Ras Albert Williams

Press Release

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Rastafarian, Albert Williams Press Release Photo for his Graduation Ceremony Announcement

RASTAFARIAN, COMPUTING AND IT OPEN UNIVERSITY STUDENT ANNOUNCES HIS UNDERGRADUATE CEREMONY AS HIS POSTGRADUATE STUDIES AND AIM ARE UNDER WAY


by Tempie Williams AIAAP MIAB

Media Contact: albert_tempie@yahoo.co.uk

Crawley, West Sussex – Local Resident , Albert Williams, 54, since 2006 has worked full-time as Night Security Guard and a member of Usdaw Trade Union since 2006, at Tesco Extra Hazelwick Ave. He announces, after a long hard 6 year Open University long-distance home-study academic journey, that at 10:45 am on Friday , 24 March 2017, he will Graduate receiving his Honours Degree at his Undergraduate Ceremony in London, Barbican Centre.


Moreover, he received his qualification award letter from, The Open University in December 2016. And, an Invitation to attend his Degree Ceremony, from the Qualifications and Ceremonies Centre of The Open University. Having successfully completed 360 credits of study required, no more than 120 credits at level 1 and at least 120 credits at level 3. A 60 credit module is equivalent to a year's half-time study, and to succeed he had to pass a series of assessments throughout the year and a final examination or project. The credits rating reflect the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Albert Williams, was awarded his qualification and classification , on 31 December 2016 , Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Computing and information Technology, Third-class Honours .


Furthermore, documented in an Academic Reference by The Open University , Assistant Director, Academic Services , Dr. Juliet Coleman, December 2016, highlighting some of Albert's range of valuable and transferable academic and personal attributes, demonstrated, namely are:

  • Communicating clearly and accurately in English,

  • Being aware of the requirements, knowledge and perspectives of others;

  • Developing logical thought and the use of clearly structured argument;

  • Critically evaluating information, arguments and assumptions;

  • Using information technology and information literacy skills to search for, exchange, process and evaluate information;

  • Framing and addressing problems, questions and issues.


Albert Williams, is now working towards a MSc in Technology Management that he intend to complete by December 2019. He started his Post Graduate Journey in November 2016 with Managing Technological Innovation T848. It is his expectation that his undergraduate and postgraduate studies will deepen his understanding of information communication technologies; entrepreneurship; legislation; innovation and many other subjects that he aim to utilise in his personal and professional career. Being the main breadwinner, taking care of his wife, Tempie Williams, 62, is also an Open University Student, with her own unique academic journey of achievements and her husband's number one supporter. They both share a varied array of other skills and talents and each are exceedingly excited about Albert's Academic Progression going Forward.


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