Matrix Representation and Tensor Analysis of Courses

• Autores: W.H. Tait
• Localización: Innovations in education and teaching international, ISSN 1470-3297, Vol. 12, Nº 6, 1975, págs. 333-347
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Tensor theory is widely used to analyse the properties of physical systems. It is a highly mathematical approach but it reduces the need to visualise operations in multidimensional space and is capable of handling the most complex relationship structures.

    In this paper, it is shown that tensor theory can be adapted to provide a fully quantitative analysis of a social system. A social tensor is developed from the physical analogue and used to analyse the the structure of an educational course. In order to minimise the need for mathematical formulation, the method is illustrated with a tensor of rank two, this being the highest rank which may conveniently be represented by a two dimensional diagram. A matrix is used for this purpose and is shown to represent a course structure more successfully than other diagrams in general use.