SYSTEMS APPROACH AND ITS APPLICATION IN INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Ackoff defines a system as “A system is the set of interrelated and interdependent elements.”
System approach is a systematic attempt to coordinate all aspects of a problem towards specific objectives. In
the context of education, system is a unit as a whole incorporating all its aspects and parts, namely, pupils,
teachers, curriculum, content and evaluation of instructional objectives. The teaching-learning process is
viewed as communication and control taking place between the components of a system. In this case, the
system is composed of a teacher, a student and a programme of instruction, all in a particular pattern of
interaction.
The System Approach focuses first upon the learner and then course content, learning experiences and
effective media and instructional strategies. Such a system incorporates within itself the capability of providing
continuous self-correction and improvement. It is concerned with all elements of instruction including media,
including hardware and software. Its purpose is to ensure that the components of the organic whole will be
available with the proper characteristics at the proper time to contribute to the total system fulfilling the
objectives.
Neils stated that “System approach to education is defined as a particular method of exploration to find
effective ways of talking about, designing and organizing learning situation in practice.” -
Major steps in the systems approach in education are:
1. Formulating of specific instructional objectives to be achieved and defining instructional goals,
2. Deciding appropriate media/channel to achieve these goals,
3. Defining learner characteristics and requirements,
4. Selecting appropriate methods suitable for effective learning to take place,
5. Selecting appropriate learning experiences from available alternatives,
6. Selecting appropriate materials and tools required,
7. Assigning appropriate personal roles for teachers, students and supporting staff,
8. Implementing the programme,
9. Evaluating the outcome in terms of original objectives measured in student performance and
10. Revising to improve efficiency of the system to improve students’ learning.
ADVANTAGES OF SYSTEMS APPROACH
i. Systems approach helps to identify the suitability of the resource material to achieve the specific goal.
ii. Technological advance could be used to provide integration of machines, media and people for attaining
the defined goal.
iii. It helps to assess the resource needs, their sources and facilities in relation to quantities, time and other
factors.
iv. It permits an orderly introduction of components demonstrated to be required for systems success in terms
of student learning.
v. It avoids rigidity in plan of action as continuous evaluation affords desired beneficial changes to be made.
LIMITATIONS OF SYSTEMS APPROACH
i. Resistance to change. Old ways are difficult to erase. There is always resistance to any new method or
approach.
ii. Involves hard work. Systems approach requires hard and continuous work on the part of school personnel.
Some are not prepared for the extra load.
iii. Lack of understanding. Teachers and administrators are still not familiar with systems approach. Though
it has been successfully implemented industry, it has still to make headway in education.

Systems approach to instruction helps in understanding, controlling and improving the structure and
functioning of the system in view of effective realization of instructional objectives. It helps in providing best
possible solution to the problems related to planning, process and products of instruction. –

Aggarwal J.C. (2010) Essentials of Educational Technology (Innovations in Teaching-Learning), Vikas

Publishing Housing PVT LTD:New Delhi, Page No. 284-293.