A Four-Dimensional Maxwell Equation for Social Processes in Web-Based Learning and Teaching

Abstract

This paper describes how the principal structure of a system of equations fundamental to science, namely the Maxwell equations governing electromagnetism, could be analogously applied to social procedures among humans who start to create emerging networks through gaming. Inspired by a cartographic windrose, a new type of notation for social procedures is introduced that allows to graphically depict “information”, “team”, “debate”, “integration” as four basic dimensions; symbolically called soprano, alto, tenor and bass. Experiences with a web-based role-play (“Surfing Global Change”) show that these four basic dimensions tend to peak one after the other along a suitably designed gaming procedure. The resulting sequence of the “voices” S, T, A, B gives rise to hypothesizing a general pattern of social behavior that qualitatively could formally be described by a four-dimensional Maxwell type set of equations of these four variables. It is hypothesized that in analogy to an electromagnetic wave also a social process of harmonious flow in S, T, A, B might emerge that describes suitable and successful conditions for game play and game-based learning.