Search results

Cybernetics has been defined, as ‘the art of effective action’. Yet architecture in developing countries tends to emulate the configurations familiar to the industrialized world forsaking ‘the hidden dimension of culture’ a sure recipe for alienation—the affliction of populations of many urban housing solutions. Intention: ‘to investigate the isomorphy of concepts, laws and models in various fields’ and review design strategy which may ‘enable us to integrate our knowledge of mind with our knowledge of the physical world’. In the search for coherent theory, or ‘the four deep structures at the roots of architecture’ are involved Hillier and Pearlman (1967, 1973, 1977, 1979) with their isomorphic ‘four function’ paradigms. Adoption of the research approach of Pask's ‘redundant holist’, searching for and attending to diverse types of information, led to the revelation of an isomorphy between a particular set of ‘four functions’ devoped by Pearlman (1977) and the ‘four principles’ of Gestalt thereby advancing the understanding of the intentions and processes that cause forms to exist and give them their significance and meaning.

The purpose of this paper is to recall the influential role of Professor John Rose in stimulating development of sustainable cybernetic frameworks designed to contend with the daunting challenges obtaining in the domain of urban habitat generation.

Objectives are realized via discrimination of invaluable opinion (information/data), case study analyses of experiments (projects), differentiation of distinguished effects (phenomena), and intervention in the evolution of urban planning theory.

It is found that the disposition of geometrical forms of quasi‐crystal type – “Penrose Tiling” or “Shechtmanites” – realizes extensive economies in urban space allocations (land use), escalation of population indices (density), substantial contraction of time and distance in movement patterns (energy conservation): a triplet (encompassing quantity, quality and economy) are surely applicable in a world confronted by the unceasing demand for urban shelter and threat of a global economic meltdown.

Transformation of the manually derived models (for town design) is dependent on significant investment in the phase involving development of complex algorithms for enabling combinatorial computing and modeling; the sine qua non for testing applications at various scale levels prior to development of a universally viable computer software. The implications for urban habitat policies generally would be phenomenal if not revolutionary should the envisaged software ever be realized.

Exposure of original work in progress enhances the potential for obtaining valuable feedback from intrigued professionals as well as potential consumers, particularly those from public sector housing agencies experiencing acute budgetary agendas.

One of the neglected roles of experiment is the creation of phenomena which then become the centrepiece of theory. The belief that seminal experiments in architectural design must now be reclassified to represent genuine paradigms of “created phenomena” is discussed. The remedy suggested is their analysis, critical evaluation and scrutiny of seminal texts to open the way for the development of topological approaches to design and extension of cybernetics into the field of architecture and construction.

Considers that architecture continues to be tempted to narrow down its area of concern to that which it can manage with available techniques. Believes it avoids those problems which seem too intractable and ignores the “objects” it needs to appreciate if it is to succeed. Advocates that more time should be spent working on a general method for solving problems and developing co‐ordinated approaches to a common purpose architecture. Sees the research findings in artificial intelligence as underpinning the imperative for “domain specific knowledge” (to inform the future competences of computer programs). As a result launches the quest for a method of knowledge fusion and presents an initial paradigm for architectural design.

Reviews experiments in design and urbanism, intervening in the development of transdisciplinary systems theory for decision‐making organizations. Presents beyond state‐of‐the‐art phenomena, of a morphological and topological type (out of architecture), and advocates harnessing such creativity power to problem solving in informatics.

This chapter, completed in 1999, provides an overview and critical analysis of the validity research agenda undertaken by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) for its assessment to certify accomplished teachers at the end of its first decade of assessment development and implementation. The review is presented in three major sections: (a) an overview of the validity criteria underlying the review; (b) a description of the National Board's research agenda presented in its own terms, focusing first on the studies that were routinely carried out for each certificate and second on the “special studies” that were not part of the routine agenda; and (c) a series of six critical observations and explanations based on the validity issues described in the first section.

Research has validated the crucial aspect of empathy in effective clinical practice. Empathy requires the identification of the helping professional with the emotional experience of the client. However, in their work with women offenders, clinicians can encounter a number of obstacles to appropriate empathic interventions: the workers may over‐empathize with their clients; the offenders may be resistant to being helped; and there may be institutional and social dynamics that may discourage empathic helping by staff. This paper discusses the concept of empathy and the difficulties encountered by social workers and other clinicians in their efforts to provide appropriate empathic approaches to this population. Effective strategies that will allow for appropriate use of empathy by clinicians working with female offenders are offered.

In this chapter, we explore the changing role of social media and its increasing influence in the recruitment and selection process. Access to social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn as profiling tools both inside and outside the workplace is generating a number of potential ethical, legal, and moral dilemmas in the human resource management (HRM) field.

This is a conceptual chapter which analyzed peer-reviewed academic literature, the business press, and other media outlets.

This conceptual chapter outlines the key issues for HR academics and professionals in the area of recruitment and selection associated with the changing role of social media in the workplace, and how it indirectly affects a number of other HR practices. Certain emergent practices such as cyber-vetting and applicant data mining demonstrate a deficiency in moral, ethical, and legal frameworks. The lack of attention paid to these new HR risks highlight the skill gap within the HR profession to handle information and data security challenges, any of which can be exacerbated due to social media.

In order to assist HR in tackling these challenges, we conclude with a number of recommendations for HR practitioners.

The chapter helps raise awareness and understanding of this new and emerging aspect of digital HRM.

We provide a framework for a broader understanding of the issues associated with cyber-vetting and its potential impact on HRM policies and practices.

“Certification”, in the context of this book, is an endorsement by a professional body that a member of that profession has attained a specified set of advanced performance standards. Application for NBPTS advanced certification is usually voluntary and available to all members of the profession (who have had to have at least three years experience in the profession). It is based on assessment of performance; it is not an academic qualification, or a record of professional development courses attended. It is portable – it belongs to the person (it is not a job or position or classification specific to a school or employer). A professional certification system is not in itself a performance pay scheme, but it does aim to provide a service to the profession, to the public and to employing authorities seeking a credible basis on which to provide incentives for professional development and recognition to teachers who reach high standards. Most important, it acknowledges that the individual who gains this certification is demonstrably teaching at the highest levels in our profession.