Problems of Education in the 21st Century

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Contents, Vol. 76, No. 3, 2018

289-298

Authors: Maria da Graça Breganha, Betina da Silva Lopes, Nilza Costa

Educational research points to similar learning experiences across different countries, in particular that physical science tends to be an unpopular discipline among students from secondary school. The use of students’ voice to adapt curriculum and implement innovative teaching practice has been gaining relevance towards the effort of potentiating positive and meaningful learning experiences. The present research discusses the voice of 1139 Angolan students from one public school attending the first cycle of secondary education (7th to 9th grade) considering their physics classes. Students’ voice was accessed through the application of a questionnaire which included open and closed questions, some in the format of statements requiring students to indicate their individual opinion. Descriptive statistics to ten specific aspects of their physics classes points to a global scenario of transmissive teaching and a lack of laboratorial and technological resources. Moreover, laboratorial work, suggested in national curriculum to cover topics in Physics, and students’ involvement in assessment seems to decrease from 7th to 9th grade. Identified patterns revealed to be statistically significant. Based on these results three specific recommendations for educational stakeholders are presented. The consideration of students’ voice in curriculum and school management is particularly innovative, not only but also for Angolan contexts and particularly relevant considering that the Angolan curriculum reform is presently under evaluation. Finally, educational researchers around the world may find relevant insights for their own educational challenges taking into account the milestones associated to the fourth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals, which is focused in assuring a quality education for all.

309-317

Authors: Shih-Tseng Tina Huang, Vinh-Long Tran-Chi, Tung-En Hsiao

The purpose of the present research is to explore the development of self-control ability during childhood. A group of 360 children (185 boys and 175 girls from grades 2, 4, and 6) participated in the survey. They completed the Children’s Perceived Self-Control Scale (CPSC) which included the interpersonal self-control (ISC), the personal self-control (PSC), and the self-evaluation (SE) subscales. Results showed significant differences in ISC, SE and total scores among the second, fourth and sixth graders. On the total scores, the fourth graders had higher scores than the second and the sixth graders. Moreover, the scores of ISC of the fourth graders were higher than those of the sixth grades. There was no gender difference and interaction of gender and grade found. The results suggested that the development of self-control following a quadratic pattern increased and reached a peak in the fourth grade and then decreased during sixth grade time.

333-349

Authors: Qismullah Yusuf, Yunisrina Qismullah Yusuf, Nira Erdiana, Arif Rizky Pratama

This experimental research aimed to explore the effect of teaching English writing of narrative texts by using Edmodo learning media through blended learning on the tenth-grade students in one of the senior high schools in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. It further looks into the students’ responses on the use of this media in learning English writing of narrative text. To study the development of the students’ writing before and after using Edmodo learning media in the classroom, the writing tests were given to the students. The data were gained quantitatively and qualitatively. The quantitative data were collected from the pre-test, treatments for three class meetings and the post-test, while the qualitative data was collected through the open-ended questionnaire which was distributed to the students after the treatments were done. Statistical formulas were used to calculate the mean, standard deviation, and t-test for the students’ pre-test and post-test scores. The hand coding and computer coding were used to analyze the data from the questionnaire. The results from the analysis of quantitative data showed that there was an improvement in students’ writing of narrative texts; their scores improved from the pre-test to the post-test after treatments with Edmodo were done. Furthermore, the analysis of the questionnaire revealed a majority of positive responses from the students. Those who negatively responded towards the use of this online learning media said that it was due to the necessity of the Internet connection and computers, laptops or mobile phones to operate Edmodo. Not all students have the privilege of possessing such devises and the Internet quota can also be costly. Thus, they recommended the school to provide them with free access to the Internet and computers should learning by using this media is to be continued in the future.

364-379

Authors: Līga Paula, Aiga Grīnfelde

Entering teaching profession is considered as the most determining stage in a teacher’s professional life. The aim of this research is to explore opinions of novice teachers in Latvia about the role of mentoring in their professional socialization. The following research questions were defined: (1) what difficulties novice teachers faced during their in-service experience? (2) what support novice teachers needed when they started teaching? (3) what the role of mentoring in teachers’ professional socialization is? Qualitative research design was developed for the research. Empirical data were obtained during the focus group discussion with ten teachers representing Council of young teachers (in age below 35) of the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees, nine semi-structured interviews with novice teachers, and interview with a mentor. Novice teachers face teaching reality which often differs from perceptions about the profession developed during the studies at university. The research shows that teachers from the sample faced following challenges during their first years of in-service: establishing teacher’s authority and self-positioning as a teacher, time management, problems with discipline in a classroom, lack of skills to develop curriculum and lesson plans, difficulties in communication with parents. During socialization novice teachers learned their responsibilities and acquired specific knowledge; appropriate support such as mentoring reduced level of stress and uncertainty while novice teachers adapted to school during the period of transition from pre-service period to in-service period. In relation to mentoring, novice teachers expected that a mentor would introduce them to school traditions and internal rules and would advise on discipline in a classroom as well as would help to develop curriculum. Policy makers should focus on teachers’ support guidelines at national level, which would allow schools to ensure the most appropriate environment for novice teachers so that they would like to continue their careers in teaching profession.

393-405

Authors: Suzana Ursi, Naomi Towata

The first aim of research is to propose a research instrument based on Wiseman and Bogner’s Model of Ecological Values, the “Coastal Environment Questionnaire” (CEQ), specifically developed to evaluate the Environmental Perception about marine and coastal ecosystems. The second aim is to explore, using CEQ, the position on the categories from Model of Ecological Values of some basic education students and some pre-service biology teachers from cities located near coastal areas from Brazil. CEQ was modified from “The Environment Questionnaire” (TEQ), which consists of a questionnaire composed of 16 items with Likert-type responses. The first process to have elaborated the new instrument changed the general situations described in the items of TEQ (most related with land environments) to situations related to marine and coastal environments. CEQ has been used with: 63 pre-service biology teachers from a non-coastal city; 79 basic education students from a non-coastal city; and 74 basic education students from a coastal city. All pre-service teachers were placed at Preservation+Utilization- category (100%). However, most students were placed at the Preservation+Utilization- category (around 70%), followed by Preservation+Utilization+ (around 25%), regardless their city location. It is expected that CEQ can be useful on research aim to better understand the perception about marine and coastal environments, contributing to development and evaluation of future Environmental Educational program focus on these important ecosystems.

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Contents, Vol. 76, No. 2, 2018

121-139

Authors: Kateřina Berková, Kristýna Krejčová, Alena Králová , Pavel Krpálek, Katarína Krpálková Krelová, Dana Kolářová

The research deals with the development of cognitive process dimensions in economic education. The aim is to research factors that influence academic achievement of students according to their intellectual level and grades. The researchers used quantitative design of research based on standardized assessment of intelligence and non-standardized questionnaire. The questionnaire was used to analyse the pedagogical competences of the teachers of economic subjects from the students' point of view in close relation to the teaching management and the impact on the motivation to learn and the achievement of students in these subjects. The respondents were 277 Czech students aged 16-17 who were divided into groups according to their intellectual level and grades. The data were analysed by a correlation analysis and a multiple regression model. In conclusion, the following can be stated: (a) From the point of view of the above average intelligent students, expertise can be considered as an important competency of the teacher; teaching average intelligent students, communication and presentation skills seem to be important. (b) It is desirable to develop cognitive processes, critical thinking actively, to lead students to become aware of changes in their own thinking and to orient them towards mastery goals. (c) Particularly for students with weaker results it is necessary to create intrinsic motivation, which develops cognition and thus is able to develop higher cognitive dimensions further. The links between these areas are of utmost importance for education and, above all, for developing of students' scholarship. Each student can be educated, and it is necessary to influence them to develop their personality and all of their potential abilities. The conceptual four-sector model represents the initial pathway to lead students who are differentiated according to the intellectual level and academic achievement to the active development of thinking, learning and critical insight.

159-174

Authors: Katja Jeznik, Klara Skubic Ermenc, Jasna Mažgon

The focus of education policies on greater equity and accessibility of education for all exposes an important difference between narrow and broad definitions of the concept of inclusion. The narrow definition is tied above all to the school context, where responsibility for the realisation of inclusion lies with pedagogical workers. The broad definition refers to an understanding of inclusion as the embracing of diversity as a positive value for the community, regardless of the institutional context in which we endeavour to achieve inclusion. The research discussed the inclusive educational practice of a special educational institution catering for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Using a sample of 139 participants at the international inclusive festival Play With Me, the attitudes towards inclusion and towards persons with special needs (a Likert scale was created) were researched. The results indicate that respondents generally had positive attitudes towards inclusion; there were differences between them, depending on the roles they undertook at the festival (mentors of students taking part in the festival and volunteers running various festival activities), the institutions they came from (special or mainstream educational institutions, associations, NGOs), and whether or not they had experience of individuals with special educational needs (SEN), either in their work or in their studies. Although a broad understanding of inclusive culture is present in the statements of respondents, it appears that both general and special teachers (in the role of mentors) still incline slightly more towards a narrow understanding of inclusion than volunteers do, which raises questions about pedagogical workers' conception of education.

189-214

Authors: Linda Palla, Ann-Christine Vallberg Roth

The aim of this research is to explore what may characterise teaching in language, communication and multilingualism in preschools, as expressed in writing by preschool teachers and managers in 10 Swedish municipalities in 2016. The data consists of written answers to an open-ended question in a reflective document. The reflective document was sent to 243 preschool teachers and managers, of whom 222 responded. A didactically oriented analysis was performed based on three levels: practice-related action level, theoretical level and meta-theoretical level. The results of the analysis are distributed in distinctive traces that more clearly refer to the practice-related action level than to the theoretical level or meta-theoretical level. Child-centred teaching, which may or may not be delimited, is characteristic of language, communication and multilingualism. Teaching is said to be constant: spontaneous but deliberate in all contexts and situations but also delivered through planned activities, projects and themes. Verbal communication is predominant in teaching. Vague and low-frequency traces of multivoiced teaching related to multilingualism and special support have emerged. The multivoiced teaching described mainly ends with general teaching of children in preschool – a multivoiced approach in general.

231-249

Authors: Anna-Karin Svensson

The current research is an in-depth study of four pre-service teachers’ own experience of reading in various contexts and for different reasons. The aim is to analyse what has been significant regarding reading in a life history perspective by the use of narratives. A socio-cultural perspective on reading is used as analysis tool. The over-arching result from analysing pre-service teachers’ narratives is that reading is a relational process regardless of the context reading takes place in. The emerging themes allow a deeper understanding on critical aspects for developing reading in various contexts and at different levels. Significant others seem important in every reading practice, from new readers in primary school to pre-service teachers’ reading at university level. The narratives reveal a need for bridging the gaps that arise between the reading practices in the various contexts that students meet in school and university.

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Contents, Vol. 76, No. 1, 2018

7-20

Authors: Barbara Baschiera, Sara Santini, Marco Socci

The current generation of young Italians leaving education have never entered the labour market with more years of schooling and higher levels of academic certifications as now. Nevertheless, they are losing out in the struggle for employment. It is a paradox experienced not only across Europe and poses questions about whether young people are being trained efficiently for twenty-first century employment. Nowadays employers require that young people possess skills-oriented learning that emphasises adaptability and preparedness for change. Italian Education systems, however, have not been responsive in this way. The intergenerational education approach may be an effective method for covering the mismatch between provided education and competences required on the labour market. Experienced older entrepreneurs may give young people Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEETs) the confidence and intellectual resources to deal with the problems they will encounter through professional life, creating new spaces of autonomy and responsibility. Two focus-groups and questionnaires with 15 NEETs and 15 qualitative interviews and questionnaires to 50+ entrepreneurs were carried out in five European countries, Italy included, to understand how an entrepreneur could help youth to start their own business. Results from Italy demonstrate that to spread a culture of entrepreneurship, senior entrepreneurs are required to strengthen NEETs’ confidence, initiative and courage, the ability to take risks and to invest in the future. Considering Lev Vygotsky’s cognitive and social development theory as applied to intergenerational learning seniors need to act as a trigger to promote NEETs’ entrepreneurial attitudes, capabilities and aspirations for life.

29-42

Authors: Nitza Davidovitch, Roman Yavich

The purpose of the current research was to explore the impact of tablet use for various subjects in Israeli schools on students' perception of learning processes in the cognitive and affective dimensions. For this purpose, 122 ninth and tenth grade students from the Boyar School in Jerusalem completed an online questionnaire. The main hypotheses were that a difference would be found between STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and non-STEM subjects in the weight attributed to the cognitive dimension of tablet use, as well as in the weight attributed to the affective dimension of tablet use. These hypotheses were not confirmed. In contrast, the hypothesis concerning gender differences in the weight attributed to cognitive and affective dimensions was partially confirmed. Males attributed more weight than female adolescents to both the cognitive and affective dimensions of tablet use. A possible explanation of the findings is the male inclination towards STEM subjects that include more cognitive use of learning. In future studies, it is advisable to utilize a larger sample and to thoroughly explore gender differences regarding this topic.

58-68

Authors: Stanisława Nazaruk, Joanna Waszczuk, Joanna Marchel, Helena Kowaluk-Nikitin, Anna Klim-Klimaszewska

Taking into account the psychophysical development of a young person, a child in particular, attention should be paid to forming certain habits related to physical activity, health, nutrition, hygiene, and aesthetics during the preschool period as such habits will be of utmost importance in his/ her adult life. Physical activity of children affects various health parameters both today and in the future. Specialists draw attention to the correlation between physical activity and the development of the musculoskeletal system, body posture, the nervous, respiratory and vegetative systems. The lack of physical activity may result in cardiovascular diseases or obesity. These are just some of the reasons for which people need physical activity in their lives. Bearing in mind the lack of research on this issue, it was decided to conduct research on the physical activity of children (210 students) aged 4-6 attending selected kindergartens located in the town of Biała Podlaska, Poland. The level of physical activity of children was measured with the use of special devices, so called actigraph units (accelerometers in Polish). Due to a small size of this wrist-watch-like device, movements of children or their participation in games and different forms of activities in kindergarten were not hampered. On the basis of the collected data, statistical analysis was performed. Non-parametric statistical tests were used in order to identify the relationship between variables of the physical activity level and sex, age and weight of a child. Data analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the level of physical activity and some personal characteristics. The research conclusions, which will be helpful in providing effective education in the field of physical activity, were made available to kindergartens.

87-99

Authors: André Machado Rodrigues, Cristiano Rodrigues de Mattos

There is a growing understanding that teacher education should not be handled either exclusively by the University or in School settings. Nevertheless, the issues on how to foster a fruitful partnership between these two different institutions remains an open and challenging point. The practicum is a critical point in the pre-service teacher’s development, usually because it is the first time they have to face the concrete professional issues, which they only had a partial view of as students. This research is a year-long inquiry on practicum in the Physics teaching program developed in the Institute of Physics at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. Drawing on cultural-historical activity theory, contradiction is used as an explanatory principle to examine change and development in the practitioners’ activity. Therefore, the research includes in the analytical framework the contradictions and the processes of overcoming it. Examples are provided in which there is little control therefore demanding extra efforts but makes room for active participation. The data analysis indicates that the source of agency and activities transformation is precisely a contradictory process, which might be overlooked. The pre-service teachers’ agency is shaped by contradictory process within the activity – practicum - rather than aligned forces pushing it toward autonomy, student sensitiveness or professional identity.

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501-502

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Contents

508-524

Authors: Lotta Anderson, Daniel Östlund

The aim of this research is to analyze teachers’ and paraprofessionals’ work and reflections on assessments for learning in a Swedish compulsory special school. Research has shown that assessment for learning is a powerful tool to improve student achievement. The theoretical perspectives discuss concepts such as situated learning and collaboration. The research adopted a participatory design; the researchers followed four teams, totally 20 teachers and paraprofessionals’ work through video observation, discussions, feedback and lectures on assessment. The teams documented classroom teaching and assessment of students' abilities in different subject. The data in this study are based on teams’ written texts. The texts are analyzed using a qualitative content analysis and contribute to research on formative assessment by including teachers as well as paraprofessionals. Results show, that professions have developed their educational philosophy and their ability to give children feedback, which will help their learning. The results also highlight the discussion between learning and caring, regarding the duties of teachers and paraprofessionals. A challenge for the teams is to unite the children’s care needs with the curriculum knowledge requirements and ensure them to learn within a holistic perspective. Teaching and assessing students with extensive learning difficulties and in need of alternative communication is another challenge for the teams as well as awareness that change processes take time.

535-549

Authors: James Edomwonyi Edokpolor, Robinson Osarumwense Owenvbiugie

The research is aimed at assessing the important role of TVET on job creation and sustainable development of Nigerian economy. Two research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation statistics, while two hypotheses were tested using t-test statistic. A survey method was employed for the research. A four-point scale questionnaire was employed as the instrument for collection of data. The population consists of 332 TVET lecturers in 3 universities and 4 colleges of education in Edo and Delta States. There was no need to adopt sampling technique, nor select any sample size, since the entire population is of a manageable size. The instrument was validated by two experts and its reliability coefficient value using Cronbach alpha method was 0.81. The research revealed that TVET can equip students with skills for job creation and sustainable development of Nigerian economy. It also revealed that there was no significant difference between the mean ratings of TVET lecturers in Edo and Delta States on the extent to which TVET can equip students with skills for job creation. It further revealed that there was no significant difference between the mean ratings of male and female TVET lecturers on the extent to which TVET can equip students with skills for sustainable development of Nigerian economy. Optimizing sufficient amount of financial resources, regular supplies of state-of-the-art facilities, sourcing for qualified manpower, and organization of advocacy programme, that would help in effective management delivery of TVET were further recommended.

568-580

Authors: Miha Lovšin

The career usually refers to individuals’ working life, education and training and to life in general. The studies and reports evaluating the relations between these components mainly justify the power of educational attainment level in gaining employment or higher socio-economic status. In contrast to Bourdieu’s concept of cultural capital providing the theoretical background of these reports and studies, the concept of career management paradigm shift, elaborated by Jarvis, justifies the power of career management skills over the educational attainment level in gaining employment or higher socio-economic status. Such approach towards the evaluation of someone’s career entirely overlooks the individuals’ notion of what would be relevant for their working life, education and training or life in general. Secondly, neither the concept of career relevance from the individuals’ point of view nor the career management skills were included when the relation between different career components was evaluated. The survey addressing these two problems was based on quantitative empirical methodology, conducted in 2016 in Slovenia. The non-random sample of 150 men and 468 women, born between 1940 and 1998, was collected through an online questionnaire. Four different variables were set: career relevance, career management skills, social, cultural and economic capital. The indicators of career relevance were built upon various definitions of career. Career management skills were conceptualised according to Law’s and Krumboltz’s theoretical discourse of social learning and career learning. Their forms of capital were conceptualised according to the Bourdieu’s conception of social, cultural and economic capital which is in direct relation to the OECD concept of socio-economic status. Bivariate analysis proved a statistically significant correlation between career relevance from individuals’ perspective and career management skills, educational attainment level, social, cultural and economic capital. However, the multivariate linear regression model confirms that only career management skills and economic capital, as independent variables, influence the dependent variable career relevance from individual’s perspective. One-way ANOVA proved that employed and unemployed differ statistically significant in the level of career management skills, career relevance, social and economic capital. In this respect, the results imply more systemic approach to career management skills learning in formal education.

591-598

Authors: Nizaruddin, Muhtarom, Yanuar Hery Murtianto

The students’ multi-mathematical representation capability in problem solving is very important and interesting to discuss, specifically for problems in the two-variable linear equation system. Data was collected from 48 students using written tests and in-depth interviews with selected participants. The research findings showed that few students are using three representations namely symbolic - verbal - table representation, and symbolic representation, however most of the students are using three representations namely symbolic - verbal - images representation, and two representations namely symbolic – verbal representations, and the rest used symbolic representation. In the use of verbal representation, some students had difficulty composing words and all students encountered difficulties in the translational process from symbolic representation and verbal representation to other types of representation. The ability to understand concepts and relationships between mathematical concepts was found to be a necessary condition for the achievement of multi-mathematical representation capability. It is therefore recommended that teachers use a variety of different types of representation, such as verbal, tables and images, to enhance students' understanding of the material.

612-633

Authors: Heri Retnawati, Samsul Hadi, Ariadie C. Nugraha, Janu Arlinwibowo, Eny Sulistyaningsih, Hasan Djidu, Ezi Apino, Heni D. Iryanti

In line with technological development, the computer-based national examination (CBNE) has become an urgent matter as its implementation faces various challenges, especially in developing countries. Strategies in implementing CBNE are thus needed to face the challenges. The aim of this research was to analyse the challenges and strategies of Indonesian schools in implementing CBNE. This research was qualitative phenomenological in nature. The data were collected through a questionnaire and a focus group discussion. The research participants were teachers who were test supervisors and technicians at junior high schools and senior high schools (i.e. Level 1 and 2) and vocational high schools implementing CBNE in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The data were analysed using the Bogdan and Biklen model. The results indicate that (1) in implementing CBNE, the schools should initially make efforts to provide the electronic equipment supporting it; (2) the implementation of CBNE is challenged by problems concerning the Internet and the electricity supply; (3) the test supervisors have to learn their duties by themselves and (4) the students are not yet familiar with the beneficial use of information technology. To deal with such challenges, the schools employed strategies by making efforts to provide the standard electronic equipment through collaboration with the students’ parents and improving the curriculum content by adding information technology as a school subject.

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419-433

Authors: Lucia Machado de Andrade, Káthia Maria Honório, Marco Antonio Bueno Filho

This research’s aim was to analyze the mobilization in learning chemistry promoted by the collective action of three entrant students in higher education courses, in a college located in Santo André. For such, cognitive indicators mobilized by them while living individual and group situations on water’s boiling point, using Screencast video lessons as a motivational strategy, were analyzed. The fulfilment of these situations’ corresponding tasks was filmed, and the recordings were transcribed and analyzed with the help from the Transana software. The indicators used for the Discursive Textual Analysis were created by associating Vicente Talanquer’s Chemistry Knowledge Space to Gérard Vergnaud’s Theory of Conceptual Fields. The results displayed higher quantity and better quality to the indicators in situations with collective character, to the detriment to the ones with individual character. Thus, one might conclude that, under this research’s conditions, collective action, generated by a collective scheme, was capable of mobilizing the learning of chemistry.

452-466

Authors: Nitza Davidovitch, Eran Druckman

This research focuses on the advancement of women in academia from an interdisciplinary perspective. It examines the leisure activities of faculty from various departments from a gender-based point of view, with regard to the association between time devoted to research and teaching and time devoted to family and social life. In addition, other possible correlations between academic output (number of articles per year, number of conferences attended, research grants submitted, teaching feedback scores) and personal background data (marital status, size of family, age, country of birth, and ethnicity) were also explored. Many studies have dealt with the "glass ceiling" encountered by women in academia. The following case study is the first to explore performance measures of personnel at an academic institution in Israel from a gender perspective, in light of their leisure choices. The point of departure guiding the researchers was that the representation of women in academic personnel, including their research and teaching output, has a significance and influence on the system of higher education and, both in Israel and internationally. The research findings might help identify and develop interventions for utilization of time, with the goal of increasing academic output.

483-495

Authors: Veronika Végh, Zsolt B. Nagy, Csilla Zsigmond, Gábor Elbert

ICT has gained a vital role within education, helping to facilitate the teaching-learning process. This paper examines the efficacy of the Edmodo interface within biology education in high schools. Two 10th grade classes were studied for a one semester period. Both classes followed the same curriculum, however Edmodo usage was compulsory for the experimental class. Anonymous pre-and post-test questionnaires were filled out by the students and statistically analyzed. The research included 58 students; 34 females and 24 males. Over the course of the semester, the experimental group developed increased feelings of importance towards Biology, whereas no change was observed in the control group. At the end of the semester, the experimental group scores leant favorable towards the positive impact of Edmodo use in the classroom, in comparison to the control group. These results show a positive impact of using Edmodo in the classroom, as a facilitative tool, to improve student comprehension in the participating Hungarian students.