PYC4808 Assignment 6 Heide Grobler.
Case Scenario
Covid-19 has brought about many new challenges across various contexts. In
order to slow the infection rate, a national lockdown was enforced, which on
one hand was aimed at protecting the population from the effects of Covid-19
and slowing dow...
, Case Scenario
Covid-19 has brought about many new challenges across various contexts. In
order to slow the infection rate, a national lockdown was enforced, which on
one hand was aimed at protecting the population from the effects of Covid-19
and slowing down the spread, with new terminology such as "lock-down, self-
isolation, social distancing, flatten the curve.... new normal" surfacing (Pillay &
Barnes, 2020). On the other hand, the solution to the problem created many
individuals, familial, social, community, educational, occupational,
financial and other challenges. Reflect on the changes that took place both in
the country, but within the context of academia, teaching and learning. You
may even find it helpful to write a page of your own personal challenges and
insights gained over the last two years with regards to the changes we have all
experienced, to varying degrees.
Once you have thoroughly reflected on the above, answer the questions
below, in relation to you as a student at Unisa.
Question 1
In view of the above excerpt, as a student of Unisa, a Open Distance Learning
Education Institution, provide a first order cybernetic analysis of Unisa as a system.
In your answer, describe the context as a first order cybernetic thinker, and apply at
least five (5) first order cybernetic principles/concepts to your analysis. (25 marks)
According to the first order epistemological perspective, reality can be learned by a
process of observation without being influenced by that process. In order to effect
change, the therapist can identify pathologies and problems from a distance (Becvar
& Becvar 2014). In the FOC view, we believe in the concept of finite truth. This,
along with other FOC tenets, can be used to analyse Unisa from a first order
cybernetics perspective.
Communication and Information Processing: Communication styles and patterns
within a family system have an impact on relationship patterns (Becvar & Becvar,
2014). These three core ideas—(a) We cannot abstain from performing, (b) We
cannot refrain from speaking, and (c) A given act or behaviour’s meaning isn't always
its only meaning—are the cornerstones of this principle. For instance, we could
assume that the lecturers were being a little lax if a tutorial letter was delivered late,
but actual changes may have occurred as a result of things like covid limited
lockdowns. The Unisa system is aware that this is not how a behaviour should truly
be understood, according to FOC. Since reality is a subjective concept, so too is the
value of all actions and behaviours (Becvar & Becvar, 2014).
Equifinality or equipotentiality: Equipotentiality denotes the possibility of various
end results from the initial situation. Equifinality means that the system always has
the same outcome, regardless of where it begins. The focus is on the current
situation rather than the causes of patterns (Becvar & Becvar, 2014). Both of these
FOC principles are present at Unisa: equipotentiality occurs when numerous
students enrol in a single module and provide numerous results; equifinality occurs
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