12th Feb Skype Continued

Paradigm and Discourse

Paradigm

After watching a youtube video on ‘Changing Education Paradigms’, recommended by Adesola the definition of paradigm became much clearer.

An example or pattern a paradigm is a distinct set of concepts or thought patterns, including theories and research methods.

 

A paradigm dictates:

·       what is observed and measured

·       the questions we ask about those observations

·       how the questions are formulated

·       how the results are interpreted

·       how research is carried out

A common variation in paradigm is a Paradigm shift, something I was not aware of until embarking on Module 3. Below is a section by Martyn Shuttleworth from an online article.

A paradigm shift, a phenomenon explored by Thomas Kuhn, is not just a small modification to an existing scientific theory. Rather, it completely changes the scientific theory itself and radically alters the way in which it seeks to understand reality.

A paradigm shift is not limited to academics alone, but its effect ripples out into the public consciousness, too. For example, Darwin’s theories were intensely debated by scientists and theologians. This debate spilled over into the public discourse, and newspapers became filled with cartoons and caricatures of Darwin and his extraordinary new suggestions.

A paradigm shift is often the result of scientists working at the fringe of that paradigm, performing research that most other researchers feel is a little misguided, or a dead end. In fairness, this is an understandable stance to take. But every so often, a scientist has a revelation. The weight of scientific and public resistance to material that challenges a paradigm may mean that fringe ideas are initially ridiculed.

Reference: Martyn Shuttleworth, Lyndsay T Wilson (Feb 6, 2008). Paradigm Shift. Retrieved Mar 04, 2019 from Explorable.com: https://explorable.com/paradigm-shift

Discourse

The communication of thought by words; talk; conversation.

For example ‘several ideas have steered much more discourse around improving the work place’ In this context workers do not agree with one another however they are all discussing the same topic / issue.