In order for out-of-school science activities that take place during school hours but outside the school context to be successful, instructors must have sufficient pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) to guarantee high-quality teaching and learning. We argue that PCK is a quality of the instructor-pupil system that is constructed in real-time interaction. When PCK is evident in real-time interaction, we define it as Expressed Pedagogical Content Knowledge (EPCK). The aim of this study is to empirically explore whether EPCK shows a systematic pattern of variation, and if so whether the pattern occurs in recurrent and temporary stable attractor states as predicted in the complex dynamic systems theory. This study concerned nine out-of-school activities in which pupils of upper primary school classes participated. A multivariate coding scheme was used to capture EPCK in real time. A principal component analysis of the time series of all the variables reduced the number of dimensions. A cluster revealed general descriptions of the dimensions across all cases. Cluster analyses of individual cases divided the time series into sequences, revealing High-, Low- and Non-EPCK states. High-EPCK attractor states emerged at particular moments during activities, rather than being present all the time. Such High-EPCK attractor states were only found in a few cases, namely those where the pupils were prepared for the visit and the instructors were trained.
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The article argues that a dynamic systems theory approach can be helpful in understanding intrapersonal psychological behaviour changes. In terms of control and coordination, different movement systems - walk, trot, canter - are incomparable. This is also the case with psychological phase transitions. Person 1 can be nice in an mundane state and become life-threatening in an angry or furious state, while Person 2 can be relatively impatient and easily annoyed in the mundane state, but on the other hand relatively controlled in an angry state. Person 1 will then probably rarely go into the angry state, while Person 2 can easily switch between the two mentioned states. Some "attractor regimes" are rarely achieved under normal circumstances (a killer "sleeps" in all of us). Psychology often focuses on individual states rather than transitions between states.
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Part 2 of 4 columns on Dynamic Systems Theory. Like biological systems, psychological systems also arise from the coupling of many cyclic (oscillating) processes. For instance, over our lifespan, our bodies change and go through several attractor states. Healthy lifestyle is important, but should not only be a revenue model for economic powers (including gyms, healthcare and research groups). Keeping your body in a 21-year-old state for as long as possible is admirable - it takes a lot of discipline, training, etc. - but it produces at least as much frustration, fear and sadness.
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