Problems of Education in the 21st Century

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Contents, Vol. 58, PEC, 2014

13-26

Authors: Predrag Bejaković

Employability and labour force competitiveness are important parts of an economy’s overall competitiveness. The key role of knowledge as a structural part of the competence in stimulating economic growth has been widely recognised by economists and other scientists. In modern societies, the acceptance and development of knowledge, skills and ideas have a crucial role in the creation of wealth. The key determinant of a knowledge-based economy is human capital, or more precisely its knowledge, competence and ability. In many modern employment strategies there has been great emphasis on worker employability. The general idea of employability is not new, although only in recent times efforts have been made to define it clearly as policy has shifted emphatically towards supply side issues. Employability can be defined as the extent to which employees have skills, which the market and employers regard as attractive and is of increasing importance for the economic sector. The aim of this research is to provide an overview of the relationship between education, employability and labour force competitiveness in Croatia.

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Authors: Deborah A. Chetcuti, Michael A. Buhagiar

The research study reported in this paper explores the issues and challenges faced by teacher educators when assessing student-teachers during their field placement. The key research question is: What are the issues and challenges faced by teacher educators and university administrators in relation to the formative and summative assessment of student-teachers during their field placement in Initial Teacher Education? The research tries to address this question by drawing on qualitative data from interviews with key academics and administrators at the University of Malta. The data from the interviews suggests that finding a balance within a university setting between the formative and summative aspects of assessment can create a potential conflict. This results in teacher educators focusing more on administrative demands for accountability and standards through summative assessment (also known as ‘assessment of learning’) rather than on the learning process through formative assessment (also known as ‘assessment for learning’). The authors challenge this current view and, using examples from good practice, construct a model of assessment for the field placement that tries to improve the balance between formative and summative assessment.

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Authors: Bisera Jevtić

The methodology of pedagogical actions within the process of moral education of personality is a part of basic, theoretical and empirical researches in pedagogy. When it is referred to moral training, it is primarily referred to the moral aspect of pedagogical actions affecting the development of personality - the formation of moral awareness as a characteristic of a certain individual’s values. Moral education of personality refers to the moral behaviour and action, the formation of attitudes and the development of moral reasonable interests, the introduction to the moral norms and demands, as well as the process of development of a personality’s moral traits. Moral capacity is expressed through the evaluation of moral acts and through moral action while being in accordance with intellectual capability and developmental logic. The educational role of school can be discussed in general or in a more specific way, depending on the extent up to which the school can contribute to the process of moralisation of individuals and the accomplishment of tasks of moral education. Primary and secondary schools in Serbia do not have moral education as a separate subject, but the curriculum sets certain specific tasks which should be accomplished through classes and all extracurricular activities. In accordance with that, this paper focuses on the problematisation of analysing the role of a teacher in moral education and personality development, as well as the analysis of the attitudes of teachers about the necessity of a separate subject or, at least, a “hidden curriculum” in schools which would refer to moral education. The factorisation of measurement variables shows that the awareness of teachers about techniques and methods of moral education and learning should be heightened, which provides a good direction towards a new research. The obtained results have helped us clarify the general problematisation of moral education, and it is believed that they will contribute to overcoming and advancing the existing situation of the school system in Serbia.

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Authors: Sabina Kołodziej, Katarzyna Lato, Magdalena Szymańska

Knowledge and understanding of basic economic concepts is crucial for the future orientation of children in a world of economy and influences taken in this sphere behaviors. Therefore, the aim of formal and informal economic education is to prepare young people to make independent and smart decisions regarding his or her financial resources. Nowadays, children earlier and earlier begin activity on the market, thus the economic knowledge role increases. Article presents two studies analyzing the relation between parents behaviors and children economic knowledge, understanding of market mechanisms and their decisions regarding money. Study 1 focused on parents informal education activities in the sphere of economics. The research covered a group of 100 respondents (50 pairs – parent and a child) and used questionnaires (separately for children and parents) on parents activity in the sphere of economic socialization. As a second part of the study children solved the Basic Economic Test (Walstad & Robson, 1990) designed to measure the level of economic knowledge among school-aged children. The study 2 analyzed the relations between parents activity connected with economic socialization and children economic knowledge as well as behaviors related to saving, borrowing, lending and repayment of one’s debt. In this study a group of 52 children took part and filled in a questionnaire on their economic knowledge and behaviors as well as their parents activities concerning economic socialization. Study 1 showed a positive correlation between parents informal education activity in the field of economics and the economic knowledge level of children. Study 2 showed higher levels of economic knowledge and more frequent attempts to earn money among children who receive pocket money. Results of both studies showed that the level of economic knowledge among children whose parents give them pocket money, explain economic issues and talk with children about planning household budget is significantly higher that among children who are not animated by parents. Moreover, parents activity in this field plays a vital role in shaping children’s first economic activities.

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Authors: Robert Podstawski, Dariusz Choszcz

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of the current scope of P.E. classes organized at the University of Warmia & Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland) during a period of one semester on the level of 1st year students’ motor abilities. A total of 337 full-time students aged 19-20 participated in the research. In order to calculate the students’ BMI, basic anthropometric parameters such as their body mass and height were measured. The students’ motor abilities were examined at the beginning as well as at the end of the summer semester of the academic year 2009/2010 using the following 13 motor tests: the standing long jump [cm], the 4x10 m shuttle run [s], the skipping with clapping of hands – 8 s [number of claps], sit-ups – 30 s [number of sit-ups], the medicine ball (4 kg) forward throw [cm], the medicine ball (4 kg) backward throw [cm], the bent-arm hang on bar [s], the downward bend from standing position [cm], the sit and reach [cm], Burpee test – 1 and 3 min. [number of cycles], and the forward-backward arm rotation over head holding a bar [cm]. The data were subjected to statistical analysis using the Statistica PL v. 10 software package. In the majority of motor trials (eight out of eleven) the students performed significantly worse after completing the semester-long P.E. course. In the other five trials the differences were found to be insignificant. Moreover, the study revealed that the participants’ average BMI increased over the course of the experiment. Based on the above it can be concluded that the current university P.E. program seems to be ineffective as it failed to result in noticeable positive physical changes, although the possible influence of the P.E. classes on the students’ attitudes toward physical education and their future lifestyles should not be ignored. If it is to lead to the desired physical changes in university youth, the amount of time devoted to physical education at the university must be increased, the classes distributed differently and their form rethought.

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Authors: Michelle Soares, Laêda Machado

This research aimed to understand the treatment given by digital media for violence against teachers. It was observed how violence manifests itself, where it comes from, how it happens and the reasons for its occurrence, from news that addressed the violence suffered by teachers. The theoretical referential that guided the work was the Social Representation Theory proposed by Moscovici (1978). This research examined 96 articles, published in mainstream news sites in Brazil, whose main content were cases of violence against teachers. For these analyses, the content analysis from Bardin (2009) was used. The results showed that the discourse that circulates in digital media on violence against teachers refers to any form of physical or moral violence performed by students or their parents in the school environment, causing physical and moral damages to teacher’s integrity. The violent acts are triggered by situations that alter the dynamics of the classroom, such as assigning low marks or making complaints. It’s emphasized that this characterization is important to the development of possible actions for combating violence against teachers, which proved as an element that is part of the pedagogical dynamic of teachers.

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Contents, Vol. 57, 2013, PEC

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Authors: Ayodeji Olasunkanmi Abari, Idowu Olufunke Oyetola, Adedapo Adetayo Okunuga

With the colonization of Africa, the language of the colonial masters has taken precedence over the indigenous languages of the Africans to the extent that the latter seems to be going into extinction. Yet, education is better founded on the native language of a people which also preserves their culture and tradition and gives them their own separate identity. Meanwhile, the world has turned into a global village and there now exist international languages with the owners’ ways of life. The latter seems to have subsumed the culture and tradition of others who are borrowers of the international language. Where then lays the fate of Africans, between the preservation of their indigenous languages and the risk of being left out and behind the rest of the world if they do not simultaneously come to terms with international languages. It is these issues of language and education, as well as globalization and African territorial integrity that this study examines separately and jointly with a view to juxtaposing them. The study then recommends balanced ways out of the dilemma one of which is the compulsory use of the mother tongue by Africans as the medium of instruction at the foundational level of education.

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Authors: André du Plessis

The overall performances in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS) and Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) of South African learners have been dismal to say the least and the Annual National Assessment test results of grade 3, 6 and 9 learners related to general literacy and mathematics have left a lot to be desired. Clearly this suggests that something has to be done to address this. At the same time, South African education is still suffering as a result of the legacy of apartheid and the great majority of schools are lacking basic resources such as libraries, infrastructure and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources, including internet connectivity. General learner literacy and ICT literacy development and usage for learning are high on the government’s agenda, as is scientific literacy. However, there seems to be a dearth of ‘how to’ implement ICT related activities to develop reading, talking, listening and writing within a science classroom learning context with special reference to promoting scientific literacy in its fundamental sense. The theoretical and practical outline that follows attempts to assist filling the void related to the above by introducing an ICT based scientific literacy heuristic that is infused by the ICT based ‘Extended Cyberhunt Approach’ of Du Plessis (2010) and Du Plessis and Webb (2011, 2012, in press) and the off-line Scientific Literacy model of Webb and Villanueva (2008); Webb and Mayaba (2010) and Webb (2010). The focus of the heuristic is to develop scientific reading, talking, listening and writing, as well as to establish a different classroom learning space and experience. In addition, it adds emphasis on on-going feedback from the teacher to the learners as well as focusing on reflection and journal writing to inform teacher planning and subsequent interactions in the science classroom. The additional potential of the heuristic is not only that it offers ICT literacy skills development and the development of skills within a curriculum related science context, but also that ICT skills can be developed even without internet connectivity through using Microsoft Word and/or PowerPoint for writing development and presentation or adding Web 2.0 tools such as a Wiki to complement Microsoft Word and/or PowerPoint if connectivity is available. Research suggests that various skills such as planning, searching and researching, presentation, assessment as well as various cognitive skills can be developed when ICT is used as a cognitive tool in a ‘Learning-as-Design’ context, i.e. when learners (students) become the designers and composers of artefacts related to topics that are curriculum based. This paper also then forms the base for an intervention in two primary schools in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa that has received ICT resources for the first time ever, including internet connectivity, in September 2013. Hence, the anticipated research within these two schools will explore whether this heuristic has the potential to assist with and improve scientific reading, talking, listening and writing, as well as whether this approach improves motivation and interest related to science learning and ICT literacy development, including the potential to develop planning, searching and researching, presentation, assessment as well as various associated cognitive skills.

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Authors: Vincentas Lamanauskas, Violeta Šlekienė, Loreta Ragulienė, Dragos Iordache, Costin Pribeanu, Martin Bilek, Bulent Cavas, Tatyana Mazurok

The use of social networking websites is becoming increasingly popular. While there are many reasons for this, the rapid spread of ICT is one of the most determining factors. New technologies provide various possibilities for education and in relation to social networking websites it is worth emphasizing their diverse possibilities. The functionality of social networking websites is increasing, and this, in its own way, opens many possibilities for the consumers, a factor encouraging the usage of social networking sites. This research relates to the usage of social networking websites. The purpose of the research is to ascertain how university students from a range of European countries (Lithuania, Romania, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Turkey) use social networking websites; how they value them; what opinion they have about various social networking websites; what they know about them. A questionnaire, Social Networks, with 16 questions was used in the research. The breakdown of the questions is as follows: 3 questions were allotted to establishing the characteristics of the respondents and 5 open ended type questions were to possible advantages and disadvantages of SNW. The 6th question was assigned to evaluate the frequency of social networking website usage. A list of 23 main networking websites was presented. The 8th question was to evaluate the functions of social networking websites (e.g., communication, advertisement, friend search, information exchange and so on). In addition, the questionnaire also presented 26 various type statements about social networking websites and respondents were asked to evaluate these by applying the interval Likert scale (from “Completely agree” to “Completely disagree”). The original questionnaire was translated into the national languages by the local researchers involved in the study. This education research was carried out in 2012-2013, recognizing that it is especially important to understand the essential motives of using social networking websites, to analyze their probable advantages and disadvantages, to make some comparisons among students from the different countries. The findings illustrated that the respondents knew a lot of social networking websites, with the most frequently visited and most popular being: You Tube, Facebook and Google+. The most important functions put forward by the university students were: communication, learning and exchanging information, texting. Gender differences were noted in the case of valuing social networking websites. The university students pointed out the following SN website advantages: (a) the possibility to communicate with many people at one time, (b) to get in touch with the people seen long ago also with the friends and relatives living abroad, (c) the possibility to find proper information and share it, etc. The respondents also noted that SN website had disadvantages. They indicated: lack of information publicity, a lack of privacy, insecurity in presented data, possible lies, deceptions, etc.

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Authors: Raffaele Pisano, Paolo Bussotti

Mathematics education is also a social phenomenon because it is influenced both by the needs of the labour market and by the basic knowledge of mathematics necessary for every person to be able to face some operations indispensable in the social and economic daily life. Therefore the way in which mathematics education is framed changes according to modifications of the social environment and know–how. For example, until the end of the 20th century, in the Italian faculties of engineering the teaching of mathematical analysis was profound: there were two complex examinations in which the theory was as important as the ability in solving exercises. Now the situation is different. In some universities there is only a proof of mathematical analysis; in others there are two proves, but they are sixth–month and not annual proves. The theoretical requirements have been drastically reduced and the exercises themselves are often far easier than those proposed in the recent past. With some modifications, the situation is similar for the teaching of other modern mathematical disciplines: many operations needing of calculations and mathematical reasoning are developed by the computers or other intelligent machines and hence an engineer needs less theoretical mathematics than in the past. The problem has historical roots. In this research an analysis of the phenomenon of “scientific education” (teaching geometry, arithmetic, mathematics only) with respect the methods used from the late Middle Ages by “maestri d’abaco” to the Renaissance humanists, and with respect to mathematics education nowadays is discussed. Particularly the ways through which mathematical knowledge was spread in Italy between late Middle ages and early Modern age is shown. At that time, the term “scientific education” corresponded to “teaching of mathematics, physics”; hence something different from what nowadays is called science education, NoS, etc. Moreover, the relationships between mathematics education and civilization in Italy between the 12th and the 16th century is also popularized within the Abacus schools and Niccolò Tartaglia. These are significant cases because the events connected to them are strictly interrelated. The knowledge of such significant relationships between society, mathematics education, advanced mathematics and scientific knowledge can be useful for the scholars who are nowadays engaged in mathematics education research.

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Authors: Katri Raik, Igor Kostyukevich, Jelena Rootamm-Valter

A partial transfer into teaching in the Estonian language is being implemented in Russian-medium upper secondary schools in Estonia. Among teachers who have to switch to teaching in Estonian are also subject who have previously taught in the Russian language. A number of surveys have shown that there are teachers who believe that methodological support of the transfer is not sufficient. Hence, it is important to find out if there is a need for additional in-service teacher training during the transfer period, and if yes, then what kind of training is required. A model of subject teachers’ professional competences was devised. The need analysis was conducted by the structural survey method among focus groups of subject teachers. Six Estonian Russian upper secondary schools were selected for the study on the basis of the representativeness of the criteria set to focus groups. The representative groups were offered to evaluate by rating professional competences, needs for additional in-service training, and, finally, needs for language support. The data were analyzed by the Pearson’s correlation and by the analysis of the variations range of the three measured criteria at the level of separate schools and their teacher teams and at the level of indicators’ mean values. The research has not revealed any common data in either strong or weak points of teachers’ professional competences. Each school has a professional profile of its own. The need for in-service professional training depends on the professional profile of each school (correlation 0.835÷0.908). The need for language support is also highly correlated with the conscious need for training. Recommendations. Planning of partial transfer to teaching in the Estonian language, as well as an additional in-service training and language support should be based on the needs of a particular school. The system of in-service teacher training should take into consideration all components of teachers’ professional competences while offering additional in-service training and language support on a regular basis. While implementing partial transfer of Russian-medium schools into teaching in the Estonian language it is absolutely necessary to apply an individual approach to each and every school.

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Authors: Violeta Šlekienė, Loreta Ragulienė

In order to improve students’ competencies of natural science must be consistent and systematic development of learning methods and strategies. Since Physics is an experimental science, the role of practical activities in physics education is very important. Experimental activities are one of the main Physics teaching/learning methods. One of these methods is inquiry-based learning, in which students answer research questions through data analysis. Computer-based data logging is a powerful strategy for the teaching and learning of physics. It helps to deliver a deep and meaningful physics education, increasing the interaction between the student and the concepts under investigation. This article deals with Physics experimental works by using the Xplorer GLX on different levels (confirmation, structured, guided and open inquiry) of inquiry-based learning. The research methodology is based on the provisions of the constructivist education theory underlying the structured, guided and open explorations as an effective educational technology, which promotes a positive attitude towards science, helps to apply the acquired knowledge in different situations, develops higher-level thinking skills, encourages active learning processes. Experimental activities use an inquiry-based approach, based on a small-scale research activity through different levels of inquiry using science learning system Xplorer GLX. The aim of each experimental activity is to gain practical research skills, master research methods, learn how to work safely with the physical equipment, to collect, process and convey the results of experiment and link them to theoretical models, to make generalizations and conclusions. One physics laboratory work (Capacitor Discharge) at the level II, as structured exploration, and level III, as guided exploration, using science learning system Xplorer GLX is presented. A key focus is on learning through collaborative work, supported by practical work. Students work together to collect & analyse data and present their results.

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Contents, Vol. 56, PEC, 2013

8-15

Authors: Valentin Cosmin Blândul

Non-formal education (NFE) is one of the most important forms of the education process and refers to those activities that professional training institutions offer to their students besides the mandatory instructive-educational programmes. The importance of NFE resides in the fact that it strengthens the theoretical knowledge received during formal education by giving this knowledge a practical character as it is applied in different life situations. The main aim of this study was to identify the teachers’ degree of openness towards NFE, as well as the existing need for continued training through didactic strategies specific to this form of education. The sample consisted of 155 teachers, mostly from pre-primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions from Bihor County, Romania. The instrument used was a questionnaire with 18 multiple-choice items. The results of the research show that most of the respondents are interested in participating in professional training courses based on didactic strategies specific to NFE. The main themes of interest include health education, managing students’ behaviour problems, social and emotional learning, and so on.

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Authors: Csilla Czeglédi, Tímea Juhász, Ágnes Szlávicz

The students motives of enrolment to tertiary educational institutions crucially influence their academic achievement and behaviour during studies. This research focuses on the Hungarian students’ reasons for choosing university in Hungary and in Serbian Vojvodina: whether they decide on their own or are influenced by other factors. The quantitative research also examines whether there is valid similarity or difference between the tertiary educational decisions of Hungarian people and those living in a neighboring country as the latter share a lot of common roots with their mother country. The results show that there are similarities between the choices of young people from both areas, regardless of their mother country. Young people typically seem to choose further education on their own, and their surroundings or material considerations are only secondary motivational factors in their decision. However, it is also true that direct social factors and financial conditions have a considerable impact on whether they can actually acquire their diplomas.

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Authors: Geert Franzenburg

The different considerations of this study analyze in biblical tradition and modern times experiences of displacement and their consequences for educational purposes and resilience. Exemplified by Baltic experiences, it demonstrates how memory constructs coping strategies, which can be transferred into models of enculturation and value-education. Following the stages of the Biblical story of Jewish exile and diaspora, the considerations analyze, how modern people in situations of crisis, transition, mobbing or displacement can draw benefit from the existential experiences memorized in these narratives and actualized in rituals as a memory-culture and process of enculturation. In this context, different memory cultures, focused on a common situation, underline different expressions of remembrance and suggest different approaches to cope with them: symbolic, ritualized, narrative. In this study the Exile- and Diaspora-oriented EXODUS, exemplified by the Baltic exile before and after 1945, facilitates a framework for educators to identify and integrate experiences of exile and diaspora into a concept of enculturation, which combines holistic exercises in non-violent communication, awareness, creative work, intercultural discourse and similar experiences. Furthermore, it assists them to facilitate opportunities to make helpful experiences in their own diaspora-like framework.

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Authors: Nida Kvedaraitė, Rima Jasnauskaitė, Renata Geležinienė, Gražina Strazdienė

The research examines self-directed learning as the formation of new educational culture in the contexts of learning theories such as: constructive learning, social constructivism, experiential learning and action science . The key educational activities supporting and enabling the learning processes are distinguished and substantiated: learning by doing, learning through collaboration, learning through experience, which give new experiences to the learner as well as status, competences of educational and managerial field, and values. A qualitative approach was applied in the research and as a research strategy of a semi-structured interview was carried out, which allowed to characterize the experiences and individual meanings of research participants while they take part in non-formal educational activities that enhance their self-directed learning. The results obtained in the course of empirical research allow stating that self-directed learners broaden the variety of learning settings, shift the learning beyond the boundaries of a formal education institution and consciously learn through job-related and life activities in various groups, communicating and collaborating with colleagues. This enables the learners to reflect upon the experience gained in job-related and life activities, and shift from the formal learning to non-formal.

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Authors: Gürbüz Ocak, Serkan Boyraz, Hasan Kizilkaya

This study aims to collect teacher opinions about two curriculums applied in 4th and 5th grades in 1997 and 2005 both of which aimed to employ constructivist approach but with big differences. The study employed qualitative research method parallel to its aim, and ten teachers of English that were selected by purposive sampling method in order to be sure that they taught in both curriculums participated to it. The data from those participants was collected via a structured interview form that included six questions created by the researchers. Descriptive data analysis was used to examine the gained data, and then findings were coded into themes. It is notable that the most participants followed curriculums for this or that reason. Although they state both positive and negative sides of the two curriculums, all teachers find 2005 curriculum change positive and generally find it more effective and successful. Eight of the participants think that foreign language (English) teaching is either unsuccessful or inadequate due to lack of skills of speaking, writing and listening. They offer to solve this problem by adapting an assessment system that evaluates those skills, taking benefit of internet for more practice, sending pre-service foreign language teachers abroad.

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Authors: Qand’elihle G. S. N. Simelane, S’lungile Kindness Thwala, Thuli Mamba

Swaziland has no stand-alone re-entry policy. Practices vary from school to school, but generally a pregnant adolescent girl has to drop out of school although those who become pregnant may be allowed to return to write their exams at the same school or they may be advised to find another examination centre. The Swaziland Education and Training Sector Policy of 2011 (EDSEC) explicitly states that ‘every child, irrespective of their life circumstances… has the right to be re-integrated into the same institution that the girl was previously attending.’ The study documents school practices that appear to be informed by ignorance of the provisions of the EDSEC Policy of 2011 and historical developments in national policy; international conventions and declarations the country is signatory to, with missed opportunities. Schools are not coping with the evolving and expanding role in helping children develop. The study concludes that there is need for awareness raising as well as legislation which will compel schools not to expel such pupils but that they are given time to deliver their babies and be allowed to re-join the school. It is thought that institutionalising and publicising the EDSEC policy should lead to more and better reporting, more re-entry, and fewer abortions. There is necessity for awareness development among stakeholders, rigorous and vigorous campaigns and preparedness to tackle strong resistance which has been shown through the practices reported in this study to be hypocritical.

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Authors: Tamara Turashvili, Marine Japaridze

Studies in university students' coping strategies have their peculiarities due to particularly acute stresses characteristic of this period of life. On the other hand, there are specific limits regarding the nature of stressors and the lack of coping ability in this period. Due to such limits, it is necessary to consider different approaches to university students' stressors. Research into university students' coping strategies has been done in various countries, but this is the first such study done in Georgia. Within the transactional stress concept of Lazarus, we tested the stress buffering effects of various coping strategies such as task-, emotion-, and avoidance-oriented coping strategies, praying, and social support. Within the framework of the research, 252 university students from a wide variety of disciplines and with an average age of 21 were surveyed. The methods applied in the study are the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) by Endler & Parker (Endler & Parker,1990) and the Stress Life Inventory (SRRS) by Holmes and Rahe (Holmes & Rahe, 1967) combined with the Kucher Adolescent Depression Scale KADS -6 (Brooks et al.,2003). Results show expected main effects: There are different coping strategies used in different critical life events. Coping strategies such as social support and praying have a stress-buffering effect and prove to be situational resources in cases of strong stress. Certain coping strategies such as task-oriented coping, emotional coping and praying are predictors of psychological well-being.

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Contents, Vol. 55, PEC, 2013

11-27

Authors: Tidita Abdurrahmani

The study aims to analyse the results of “Teacher Qualification Exam” in Albania, and to link these results with teacher preparation curricula taught in public universities. The methodology of research includes desk research on the literature about curricula and teacher continuous professional development, elaboration of the results of the testing of 3064 teachers, analysis of the university teacher preparation curricula in terms of skills development, the elaboration of the results of questionnaires developed by novice teachers, and in depth interviews with students graduating from the education departments. As a result, the research shows the relationships amongst the curricula developed in the teacher preparation faculties in Albania, the poor results of novice teachers involved in the induction scheme, and the comparatively low results of teachers pertaining to the third category of the Qualification Scheme (novice teachers having no more than 5 years of teaching experience) in Albania. It is advisable to adopt a better professional development scheme.

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Authors: Abdullah Cagri Biber, Abdulkadir Tuna, Lutfi Incikabi, Engin Yigit

The purpose of this study was to investigate the middle school students’ skill of determining figure patterns in terms of the variables of gender, grade, and mathematics achievement. Being descriptive in nature, this study conducted through relational survey method. The participants of the study were total of 137 (fifth, sixth and seventh grade) students from a middle school placed in a province of northern Turkey. Among the results of the study were that the students’ skills of detecting figure pattern did not considerably affected by their grade levels. However, in the figure pattern test female students were more successful than the males. Moreover, a positively-directed strong relationship was detected among the points which students get from mathematic lesson and their achievement in the figure pattern test. Based on the observations done, the middle school students’ mistakes in the test were mostly due to their lack of attention to the questions; they mostly focused on the drawing of the figure patterns and did not think the relation between the number of figures and steps.

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Authors: Lindiwe Rose Matsenjwa, S’lungile Kindness Thwala

The study purposed to find primary school teachers’ knowledge and skills of measurement and assessment and to elicit their views of teacher role of measurement and assessment. Within a descriptive survey, a questionnaire was used to collect data. The sample consisted of 72 primary school teachers randomly selected from 40 Swaziland schools. The findings revealed that primary school teachers had some knowledge of measurement and assessment, however lacked skills in using a variety of assessment techniques. The study further found out that as much as primary teachers view assessment as important in improving teaching and learning, they do not use it in planning for their lessons. The study also revealed that oral assessment and practical assessment has frequently been used in primary schools even though such observation and project techniques are rarely exploited. In light of these findings, the study concluded that mainly primary teachers assess learners to monitor learners’ progress instead of providing instructional planning. The study recommends that the teacher training colleges and the University of Swaziland should extend the scope of measurement and evaluation course to adequately equip the primary school teachers.

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Authors: Anita Zaļaiskalne

The quantitative research basis is the data of surveys which were filled in by teachers of vocational education institutions and employers. The research is based on researches and reports regarding vocational education, strategic planning documents of development of education of Republic of Latvia and EU, studies, statistics on vocational education (data basis of the Central Statistical Bureau, statistics of the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) on vocational education) also are used. The aim of the research is to analyze factors of the internal and external environment that affect vocational education in order to determine how these factors create challenges for the vocational education system and educational institutions. The article analyzes the correlation between the elements of internal environment: resources, processes and results and external environment (political, demographic social) factors. The challenges make the vocational education change the existing paradigm of vocational education. The research was performed with a purpose to analyze the environmental factors; the quantitative research combines: an analysis of normative documents and a survey of employers and teachers of vocational education. The key results of the research: demographic trends in Latvia have an essential impact upon the human resources of the vocational education institutions; in order to implement the lifelong learning strategy, it is important to involve more adults in the vocational education; the learning environment of vocational education must be developed by following the principles of lifelong learning; cooperation between the state institutions, employers and teachers is required in order to provide effective solutions to the challenges that vocational education is facing. The cooperation between the employers’ institution, educational institutions and state institutions is essential in the process of planning and implementation of the curriculum and evaluation of the results. The prestige of the vocational education in the society affects students’ choice regarding their further education; it also influences the assessment of employers. If there were developed and implemented such curricular, which would imply the key competences that are relevant to the vocational areas of education and on the basis of which a flexible transformation of the content of curricular would be possible, the competitiveness and quality of the vocational education would be ensured.

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Contents, Vol. 54, PEC, 2013

7-13

Authors: Andrea Burrows, Gabriel Wickizer, Helen Meyer, Mike Borowczak

Two activities, one on heat/work and one on dynamic equilibrium, are described for three high school classes (n=55) in the USA. The curriculum addressed showcases strategies to use with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students. The two lessons described follow the context ACS method (Application, Career opportunities, and Societal impact). ACS, or real-world context application, relies on a strong foundation of teaching concepts while developing enhanced learning experiences for K-12 students. The research described probes the problem of student engagement and content learning in STEM coursework and provides evidence for the potential of utilizing context ACS. The activities demonstrate how to use ACS to maximize student engagement and emphasize formative assessment during lesson implementation. Analysis of the data shows that students exposed to ACS lessons drawing from partnerships to connect real-world applications to core content make gains of 17% in aggregate.

22-38

Authors: Sirpa Kärkkäinen, Laura Haukipuro, Anna-Maija Rummukainen, Tuula Keinonen, Heikki Simola

The purpose of this study was to clarify sixth graders’ (aged 12-13, N=87) perceptions about environmental problems and environmental responsibility. Four classes from two Finnish primary schools participated in the study. In the first case (n=62) which focused more on perceptions about environmental problems, the data was collected using a questionnaire. It was found that sixth graders perceived the most important environmental problems as being littering, pollution, climate change, and how much we waste. Pupils also highlighted environmental responsibility. Their answers revealed a wide range of ways for protecting the environment such as recycling, sorting, and favoring the use of environmentally cleaner vehicles. The second case more closely examined responsibility for the environment; with the aid of a picture/image to stimulate their perceptions, pupils were able to recognize environmental problems. The data comprised of writings in connection with the image (n=25) and interviews (n=12). Pupils were categorized into four groups according to their perceptions about responsibility: environmental citizens, daily active persons, free riders and disinterested persons. Environmentally responsible behavior in sixth graders was most significantly influenced by the home, being dependent upon which action model of sorting and recycling was in use there. Both data collection methods supported each other, providing similar results. The sixth graders were not only well aware of environmental problems, they were also committed to take the environment into account and act in an environmentally friendly way. In conclusion, sixth graders’ environmental education could include discussion about actions on behalf of the environment, but additional sensitization towards the environment is still needed for some pupils.

53-59

Authors: Francisca Mendoza, Martha Gaeta, Virginia Sedeño

One of the main purposes of education today is to develop student’s ability to think in a systemic, analytical and logical manner to become self-directed, critical thinkers. Hence, students need to be efficient in one or more basic cognitive skills (BCS), since they are the foundational skills for the continued growth of these and other intellectual higher level abilities. According to constructivist theorists, the development of students’ deep conceptual understanding takes place when they are engaged in learning tasks that explicitly makes them aware of their BCS, based on students’ previous knowledge and matter content. From this perspective, teachers can promote BCS in the classroom through the design of constructivist-based strategies. Therefore, the main purpose of the present study was to examine how the BCS of analysis and synthesis are attained in a university physiology course, examining differences in two groups of students from different classes using different learning methods: problem-based learning (PBL) and PBL plus diagrams. A self-report questionnaire was designed for this purpose. A knowledge exam was also applied to both groups at the end of the intervention to evaluate students’ basic knowledge attainment. Results indicate that there were no significant differences between the two groups in their BCS acquisition. Exam scores were not different between groups either. However, a significant relationship between BCS and basic knowledge attainment was found. Results are discussed in more detail within the document.

76-90

Authors: Robert Podstawski, Elżbieta Wesołowska, Renata Gizińska, Andrzej Sołoma

Despite the growing interest in health and the abundance of health-promoting programs and campaigns, there is a noticeable lack of such undertakings at colleges and universities. This is worrisome, considering the fact that the first-year of studies is the last phase of education in which it is possible to promote and establish a healthy lifestyle. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the health attitudes and behaviours of first-year university students. A total of 700 first-year male students aged 19-20 attending the University of Warmia & Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland) took part in the study by filling out anonymous questionnaires concerning health behaviours and attitudes regarding physical activity, nutrition, tobacco and alcohol use, stress and pro-health activities. The results indicate that physical activity of the respondents was limited to participation in the obligatory physical education classes during high school and while at university. Moreover, the students were concerned more about personal hygiene and appearance than physical fitness and proper nutrition. The majority of them did not have a regular schedule of meals and did not take vitamin supplements. The percentage of respondents who declared drinking alcohol regularly (once a week) and even every day is quite worrisome. One out of ten students reported losing consciousness multiple times as a result of binge drinking and over a third blacked out at least once during the first few months of their studies. Although only a small margin of the students surveyed can be considered to be addicted to smoking, nearly half of them admitted to smoking occasionally. Although a significant portion of students expressed a fear in stress generating situations during their studies, the majority possessed a very limited knowledge of stress coping methods. The research results indicate a clear need to implement adequate health promoting programs at the university level of education to help counteract the observed negative tendencies.

99-111

Authors: Nyet Moi Siew, Sopiah Abdullah

Question-asking is a basic skill required for the development of students’ thinking. However, the way in which physics teachers conduct laboratory activities do not usually stimulate student thinking by asking productive questions. This study addressed this concern by investigating the physics student teachers’ ability to generate productive questions using the Elgeest’s and Alfke’s questioning model with a set of manipulative learning (EAM) strategy. The manipulative consisted of simple electrical components that could be explored and manipulated. The study investigated if there was a difference in student teachers’ productive questions in terms of number of questions in each category and level of thinking between before and after a lesson using EAM strategy. A further purpose was to find out students’ thought regarding their experiences using the EAM strategy in generating productive questions. A total of 34 Third Year undergraduate physics student teachers took part in the study. They worked in a group of 3-4 to discuss and construct questions before and after the instruction. Student teachers’ generated questions and written reflections were used as data collection methods. Questions were analyzed and classified according to Dillon's (1984) classification of questions: properties, comparisons, and causal relationships. It was found that before learning using the EAM strategy, student teachers tended to ask questions of the properties category. In contrast, students tended to pose causal relationship-type questions following instruction with the EAM strategy. Overall, the students indicated that the EAM strategy had increased their ability to generate productive questions at higher categories and cognitive levels. Physics teachers who conduct laboratory activities could use the EAM strategy to lead students in the generating productive questions that foster their thinking.

125-137

Authors: Ilya Levin, Mark Korenblit, Vadim Talis

The present study is an analysis of the learning activity, which constitutes simulation of networks and studying their functioning and dynamics. The study is based on using network-like learning environments. Such environments allow building computer models of the network graphs. According to the suggested approach, the students construct dynamic computer models of the networks' graphs, thus implementing various algorithms of such networks’ dynamics. The suggested tool for building the models is the software environment comprising network analysis software NodeXL and a standard spreadsheet Excel. The proposed approach enables the students to visualize the network's dynamics. The paper presents specific examples of network models and various algorithms of the network's dynamics, which were developed based on the proposed approach.