Thriving on the Edge of Chaos

ChatGPT did a nice job of summarizing my 108 page graduate thesis paper. You can read more about this 7 year qualitative study here. 

Summary

Lee L. Chazen's thesis titled "Thriving on the Edge of Chaos: An Argument for a Complex Adaptive Theory of Education" presents a case for the adoption of a complex adaptive system approach in the field of education, challenging the conventional scientific-deterministic model. His study found profound changes in student participation and higher order behavior when implementing a more fluid, laterally powered system, where the teacher acted more as a facilitator. These changes, he argues, lead to enhanced creative and critical thinking in students. The research underpins the argument with insights from emergence, chaos theory, complexity, and consilience.

Facts

• 📚 Chazen argues against the traditional scientific-deterministic model of education which, according to him, stifles curiosity, creativity, and potential for growth in both teachers and students. Instead, he proposes a complex adaptive theory of education.
• 📈 This work is a qualitative study that includes data from classroom observations, teacher and student notes, administrative evaluations, and various literature sources, over a seven-year period.
• 🔄 When Chazen changed his classroom structure from a hierarchical model to a complex adaptive system, he noted profound changes such as increased participation and complex higher order behavior among students.
• 🎓 The role of the teacher in this model shifts from an authoritative figure to a facilitator, acting as a feedback loop, creating a more inclusive, interactive learning environment.
• 🧩 Instead of using lectures to deliver course content, an open-ended game format was used to encourage engagement and thought-processing.
• ⚙️ The research draws support from areas like emergence, chaos theory, complexity, and consilience, and finds many similarities between scientific phenomena and social behavior observed in the classroom.
• 🧪 Chazen suggests the idea that the second law of thermodynamics (everything is prone to entropy) can be overturned and that order can arise from chaos, an interesting point for further research.
  
  See the new Global Challenge website for information about the game and how you can run this in your classroom. 

Now Offering Training and Workshops on ChapGPT and AI For Teachers

 

ChatGPT and the Future of Education: Educational Game Developer Shows Teachers How They Can Navigate The AI Tsunami

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

How One 800-Word Mega-Prompt Could Replace Textbooks and Transform The Way Students Learn

---

San Francisco, CA - May 3rd, 2023 - As AI technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, the potential for systems like ChatGPT to revolutionize education has become increasingly apparent. In a recent episode of the ChatGPT & Prompt Engineering Podcast, educational game developer and prompt engineer Lee Chazen discussed the transformative potential of prompt engineering and AI generative language programs like ChatGPT.

Chazen's graduate research twenty years ago argued for a self-organized learning environment where students could create their own questions and answers, even building a game that would play out over the course of the year, covering all the material needed for the class. With ChatGPT, this vision can become a reality. Chazen revealed that only five to six well-crafted prompts can generate a year's worth of content and curriculum for a class, potentially replacing textbooks. He showcased an 800-word prompt that generates 400 multiple-choice and short-answer questions and answers, effectively dividing the recorded span of history into 20 sections of time, seven areas of knowledge, and six levels of learning. Additionally, teachers can insert various educational theories, e.g. Bloom’s Taxonomy or Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences such that one can cater to different learning styles.

Chazen leverages AI models like GPT-4 to generate engaging content for websites and social media, providing valuable insights for businesses, educators, and content creators. He believes that ChatGPT and other language models are mirrors of humanity, only as good or bad as the prompts we construct.

As a former teacher and content strategist, Chazen has extensive experience in using AI to enhance the learning experience. He is available for interviews and workshops on a range of topics, including the role of right-brained conceptual thinkers in the AI world, the importance of hypergeneralists, and the potential of ChatGPT as a moderator and coach.

To learn more about Lee Chazen's projects and innovations, visit Global Challenge 2.0 / Metamorphosis, the Right Brain World Blog, or GliderCell. For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Lee at lee@glidercell.com or book an appointment here.

The ChatGPT and Prompt Engineering Podcast with Greg Schwartz is set to release the exclusive episode featuring Lee Chazen on Wednesday, May 3rd, providing state-of-the-art information on prompt engineering, ChatGPT, and other AI systems. Chazen reminds listeners that ChatGPT is a reflection of the digital information we have produced, and its potential is only limited by the quality of the prompts we construct.