Picture permission: Sue Stack - Tao in Interesting Times

H E N T N E W S

Holistic Education Network Tasmania, Australia

March 15^th, 2005 Send this email to a friend

Issue 13: Introduction to Integral Theory

Integral Theory

Integral theory and practice has emerged over the last few decades in an attempt to provide comprehensive frameworks that map the breadth and complexity of today’s global knowledge. Integral Theory suggests that we need a more inclusive view of human experience that integrates both our outer objective and inner subjective worlds, both individual and collective experience - and values multiple ways of knowing such as empiricism, phenomenology, hermeneutics, functionalism and others.

Ken Wilber has promoted a 4-Quandrant approach to integral theory that may be a useful tool as we attempt to define 'holistic education' and 'integral education'.

GUTs and TOEs

The search for an equation explaining the universe
that you can wear on
your t-shirt!

Current interest in integral theories include the search for Grand Unifying Theories GUTs and Theories of Everything TOEs.

Since Einstein physicists have been attempting to create 'grand unified theories' that integrate the fundamental fields and forces of nature within a coherent theory. Currently they are researching a 'theory of everything' called string theory or M-Theory.

However even if they succeed this will only be a TOE of every physical-thing. Wilber is interested in TOEs that include mind and culture.

The 4-Quadrant Integral Model provides a comprehensive map of human experience and capacities which is being applied to many fields of human endeavour including global ecology, business and organizational practice, medicine, international politics. If we put this in the context of student learning we obtain an integral map that might represent different domains of a curriculum:

Integral Theory and Practice

The Integral Approach

An Introduction to Integral Theory

Double & Triple Loop Learning

Integral approaches to curriculum could provide:

Frameworks for learning, research and problem solving processes
Lenses to ensure structures and processes are more balanced and inclusive
Tools for transformational change
A common language for transdisciplinary inquiry

Students and teachers who are integrally informed may have a better understanding of personal and collective potentials and a greater chance of success in creating personal and world futures.

Integral Curriculum Mappings

Schubert describes many metaphors that underpin various curriculum initiatives. These can be roughly mapped onto the 4-Quadrant model - a few examples follow:

Curriculum as Content or Subject Matter This traditional image of curriculum stretches back to Pythagoras and Plato. This curriculum is one which receives contents from traditional academic disciplines and transmits them to the learner.
Curriculum as a Program of Planned Activities In this image of curriculum, student learning is regarded as a planned program which is directed and executed by schools. It includes written documents – teacher guides, lesson plans, scope and sequence chart, and curriculum implementation packages.
Curriculum as Experience This image of curriculum, following John Dewey, emphasizes experience rather than sets of activities. Learners select a learning experience according to its significance in their life.
Holistic Curriculum? What image do we hold for an 'holistic' curriculum? Should it cover all domains of human experience?

Internet

A4 Poster

matrix integral - a school and network promoting the application of integral theory.

www.hent.org

Web Site
and Discussion List

HENT has a comprehensive web site
and an international holistic education discussion list

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