Cybernetics may be termed as the science of communication and control that can help in building a self-regulatory automatics feedback system similar to that found in animals, men and machines such as refrigerator, washing machine, iron, heater and recording and playing devices, etc. In all of its forms it stands for a self-regulation automatic system that can modify its operation in the light of the feedback received by it through its output.
The cybernetics system stands for the closed loop system. In closed loop system the output from the system can be effectively returned as input for controlling future output. It is refereed as feedback. This type of effective and dynamic feedback available only in the closed loop system is the central nerve of the cybernetics approach. in real sense, it is the feedback mechanism that is responsible for running a system in a proper way and providing clues for bringing desirable improvement in it for the effective realization of the objectives.
The cybernetics theory and mechanism can be properly applied in the development of appropriate instructional designs for turning the usual system instruction into a cybernetic system. For this purpose, the main role is to be played by the feedback mechanism. To begin with the output of instructional process may appropriately return to control future output. It can automatically work as a self-correcting device for detecting the strengths and weaknesses of the input element and also of the process part. After making the needed correction and processing it afresh , it can bring improved results in the form of better output which in turn may provide fresh incentive and good feedback for the better functioning of the instructional system . Gradually the system may yield into a desired self-regulatory auto-instructional system. We can cite the name of Keller plan as an illustration of such a developed Cybernetics Instructional Design.
The use and application of the principle and mechanism of cybernetics may proved quite beneficial and advantageous in the field of education in a variety of ways such as
(i) in making the teaching and instructional process self-regulatory and auto-instructional,
(ii) in providing the learners due motivation and zeal for self-learning
(iii) the teachers for exercising full control over their teaching and the learners over their learning the realization of the set objectives,
(iv) developing appropriate remedial instructional activities,
(v) for the teachers and learners in their self-improvement,
(vi) in arranging appropriate training programmers for the in-service and pre-service teacher
education, and
(vii) in the task of the proper individualization of the instruction, development and self-instructional
material and extension of distance education and self- learning programmes.
