Problems of Education in the 21st Century

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Authors: Editorial Board

Contents, Vol. 77, No. 1, 2019, PEC

8-21

Authors: Svetlana N. Dvoryatkina, Vladimir S. Karapetyan, Alla M. Dallakyan, Svetlana A. Rozanova, Eugeny I. Smirnov

The urgency of the problem is due to the insufficient development of theoretical, content-technological and methodological aspects of the integration of mathematical knowledge and chess skills. The manifestations of synergistic effects arising in the course of the integration of mathematical and game chess activity, while resolving uncertainties on the chessboard due to the activation of key components of creativity, have not been sufficiently studied. The synergistic effect of the integration of mathematical knowledge and chess skills is considered from the perspective of the components of theoretical thinking and is evaluated by the student’s creative choice in the search for alternative solutions. The purpose of the study is to describe and evaluate the manifestations of the structural components of the creative effect in the context of the introduction of funded complexes of mathematical problems on a chessboard. The hypothesis of the research: theoretical analysis of educational material, reflection and an internal plan of action as comparable processes for solving mathematical problems in terms of implementation substantiate complexes will lead to manifestations of arguments-heuristic, intellectual and logical and motivational components of creative activity. The research assumed the measurement of the manifestations of the structural components of creativity in the context of the introduction of funding complexes of mathematical problems on a chessboard. In the process of identifying the structural components of creativity, psychodiagnostic diagnostics tools were developed for intellectual-heuristic, intellectual-logical, motivational and reflexive aspects, comparative diagnostics were carried out for all structural components, the average level and integral indicators in the control and experimental groups were calculated. The formation of creativity was carried out by developing the ability to argue in the process of solving multi-stage mathematical problems on the chessboard. The choice of cause-and-effect relationships stimulated creative independence and reflexivity, enhancing the manifestations of the synergistic effect. On the basis of internal cognitive consonance, non-standard original ideas were identified; by overcoming emotional instability, the logical component of argumentation was strengthened. The results of the research revealed a positive trend in the key components of creativity in the context of the introduction of a chess game in the process of learning mathematics. In the future, it is possible to upgrade the methodological educational material for the system of inclusive mathematical education.

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Authors: Olugbenga Adedayo Ige, Loyiso C. Jita, Thuthukile Jita

The grim actualities of modern societies have shifted the attention of human beings from civil wars and beggary to environmental issues such as pollution and climate change. The subtle shifts in environmental balance that are observable from global warming, water scarcity, and poor harvest resulting from erratic rainfall distributions across different countries of the world has led to global campaigns in order to promote positive environment behavioural change. Several change agents have advocated the use of mitigation practices such as using emerging western and indigenous technologies and renewable energies, they have overlooked the major personality traits that will implement the proposed changes. Hence, this research explores the influence of major personality traits on students' environmental knowledge in urban learning spaces. The social cognitive theory was used to untangle the conforming and non-conforming environmental behaviours of students in urban learning spaces. The research adopts a 'field-based' MO to gather data from four hundred and sixty-two students that were randomly selected from thirteen secondary schools in urban centres in Nigeria. Research instruments such as the NEO Five-Factor Inventory and Environmental Knowledge Test were adapted to collect data from the selected students. The quantitative data were subjected to multiple regression analysis. Results showed that there was a significant influence of the major personality factors on students' environmental knowledge (R= 0.297). The research recommends that teachers should include these major personality traits in the environmental education programme of their schools.

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Authors: Harrison Ngirishi, Sarah Bansilal

There is much concern in South Africa about the poor performance of learners in mathematics, particularly in geometry. The aim of this research was to explore the understanding of basic geometry concepts by grade 10 and grade 11 learners in terms of the van Hiele’s levels of geometry thinking. The participants of the research were 147 learners from three high schools in a rural area in the south of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The results showed that the learners had difficulties with problems involving definitions of geometric terms, interrelations of properties and shapes, class inclusion and changing semiotic representations. It was also found that most of the learners were operating at the visual and the analysis levels of the van Hiele levels of geometric thinking. It is recommended that teachers should provide learners with tasks that require movements between semiotic representations, and to also focus attention on improving learners’ skills in proving aspects of mathematical relations.

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Authors: Eman Abdussalam Owen, Abu Bakar Razali, Arshad Abd Samad, Nooreen Noordin

The importance of English as a foreign language EFL in Libya has increased significantly throughout the years and the language has become essential in all disciplines. However, one of the essential challenges that needs to be explored is the lack of speaking competence of the Libyan students. There has been little research, which adopts an experimental design to determine the causal effects of certain teaching methods, particularly the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) approach on Libyan students’ English speaking performance. Against this backdrop, this research sets out to assess the effects of selected Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) activities (i.e., Information gap and Language games) on Libyan first-year secondary school students’ English speaking performance. Using a sample of 124 students from a public secondary school in Sabratha, Libya, and adopting the quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test non-equivalent groups design (NEGD), first year classes were randomly assigned as three experimental groups (i.e., Experimental Language Game group (G1), Experimental Language Game and Information Gap group (G2), and Experimental Information Gap group (G3)) and one Control group (G4). Treatments were given to the experimental groups and paired sample t-test results reveal significant differences between the groups’ in the post-test English language speaking scores. While an ANOVA test, comparing the scores between the four groups reveals a substantial difference between Information Gap group and the control group through a post-hoc test. It is therefore concluded that implementing communicative activities based on the principles of CLT in the Libyan English language classroom helps to enhance students’ English speaking performance.

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Authors: Marika Ratnik, Eha Rüütel

Qualitative research was carried out to examine the first experiences of the implementation of art therapy in Estonian schools. The aim was to ascertain the facets of the activities of the school art therapists and the potential of art therapy in the work of a school’s support team. Within the framework of the research, art therapists and management staff from four general education schools were interviewed. The work foci and specifics of the art therapist’s work were described on this basis, and the potential of school art therapy in reaching educational goals was highlighted. The interviewees characterised the work of a school art therapist in terms of the artistic and creative nature of art therapy, the co-operation-based supportive therapeutic relationship; the variability of the forms of work; and the mitigating, relaxing, and school-adaptation-supporting effect of art therapy. Management staff indicated that the art therapist enriches the work of the school’s support system, as creativity-based methods make the strengths and development potential of students more visible, it is possible to choose from among various specialists to help children, and art therapy can be applied as a primary preventive intervention.

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Authors: Editorial Board

End page, Vol. 77, No. 1, 2019, PEC