Different levels of performance evaluation – individual versus organizational

Skirtingi organizacijos veiklos vertinimo lygiai – individualus ir organizacinis

Author(s): Tadas Sudnickas / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2016

Keywords: performance measurement; performance indicators; effectiveness; individual performance; organizational performance; public sector

One of the biggest challenges for performance measurement is integration of different aspects of organizational performance, which are very different by their nature, are measured by completely different, not comparable indicators. Organizational and individual-level performance indicators, although naturally and organically linked, but, nevertheless, are measured in different dimensions, could serve as an example. Performance measurement, in one or another form, is spread across various management disciplines: Strategic management, Quality management, Process improvement, and Performance appraisal as a part of Human resources management. Organizational level indicators prevail in Strategic management systems, both organizational level and individual level performance indicators can be found in Quality management and Process improvement systems, and individual level performance indicators are dominant in Human resource management. The link between the indicators of these two levels is of particular importance, if they are not properly connected, employees’ motivation and compensation for work becomes quite formal and does not match overall goals of organization. The difference of the performance measurement in the public and private sectors is determined not only by the different nature of these sectors, but also by different historical traditions. Because of the complexity of the public sector organizations’ mission, private sector organizations’ performance evaluation can be regarded as an isolated case of performance evaluation in public sector organizations. Performance indicators should be clearly distinguished from the factors determining the level of performance, which are no less important, however, are often confused with each other. The first are used to monitor performance, the latter – to improve it. Individual level performance indicators could be more useful in searching the factors determining performance.

The Public Service Quality Management in Lithuanian Municipalities

Viešųjų paslaugų kokybės valdymo savitumai Lietuvos savivaldybėse

Author(s): Aleksandras Patapas,Toma Žilionytė / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 2/2016

Keywords: quality management; New Public Management;public service;

This paper analyses the public service quality management in Lithuanian municipalities.Increasing requirements to the quality of services is altering their quality management, sothe study is seeking to reveal what quality management models and tools are applied by themunicipalities in Lithuania in order to improve the quality management of public services.Grounded by the scientific literature analysis and by the authors’ conducted quantitativeresearch results (September–November, 2015), the article is presenting the public servicesquality management techniques, their application advantages, disadvantages and is analysingthe possible improvements of public service quality management in Lithuanian municipalities.

The Creation of Public Value in the New Public Governance Projections

Viešosios vertės kūrimas naujojo viešojo valdymo struktūrose

Author(s): Alvydas Raipa / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 2/2016

Keywords: new public governance; public value; creation of public value; decomposition of public value creation; public participation

The article, on the basis of meta-analysis of scientific literature, interpretative– theoretical modelling and other research methods, analyses the essentialelements and features of creation of public value, the role of internal and externalfactors of creation process. The basic background of analysis methodology is thedoctrine of modern public governance, named as „metagovernance‘ (governanceof the governance). The main indicators of „metagovernance“ are: creation of moresophisticated theory of role of public policy, citizens involvement, strategic planning,social responsibility, new view to place and role of networking and modernisationof implementation process, development effective constructs, trends andperspectives, measure instruments and mechanisms in the process of creation ofpublic value.In the practice, public value construct of creation process is understandingas the whole of objective and subjective factors, indicators, methods and procedures,consist and can be decomposed as: development of more progressive modelsof public governance; installing of new organizational culture and organizationalbehaviour; establishing more strong mechanisms of formation and learning of thestaff of public organizations; assessing their activity from the citizens expectationsperspective.Quality of creation of public value depends on the idea of democratic governancei. e. understanding that the members of society, the groups of citizens aremore than only consumers. Sophisticated thinking about creation of public valueincluded direct participation of citizens, interest groups as co-creators of publicvalue.T he process of public value creation is closely related with modernizationof style and methods of the public organization development. Innovative factors,ideology and new challenges in public governance can be considered as evolutionfrom inter-organizational collaboration to inter-sectoral integration, developmentof new forms and mechanisms of performance management and new typesof hybrid and multi-organization forms and constructs of organization in XXIcentury.

Public policy with regard to religious communities in Lithuania and Latvia: instruments of direct subsidies and tax incentives

Viešoji politika religinių bendruomenių atžvilgiu: tiesioginių subsidijų bei mokesčių lengvatų instrumentai Lietuvoje ir Latvijoje

Author(s): Saulius Pivoras,KAROLINA PRESNIAKOVAITĖ / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 2/2016

Keywords: religious communities; policy instruments; direct subsidies; tax incentives

This article provides comparative analysis of how most popular financial instruments of public policy are used in the public funding of religious communities in Lithuania and Latvia.It was attempted to identify connections between state support and the implementation of the goals of social and cultural policy. Lithuania see’s religious communities (primarily traditional) as an important actor in the social policy making, as it is written in various legal acts. Latvia does not postulate similar position so unambiguously. Lithuania in comparison with Latvia distinguishes in that it gives constant direct annual subsidies to the traditional religious communities. These subsidies consist of basic part and variable part, which on itsturn is dependent upon the number of confession members. Direct subsidies for traditional religious communities in Lithuania are given, as it is officially named, for reconstruction of church buildings and for other needs. It is impossible to correctly identify, evaluate and especially to control connection between the spending of dotation money and implementation of the goals of social or cultural policy while “other needs“ are not defined more precisely. In Latvia there are no constant direct subsidies for religious communities with the exception of annual dotation for maintenance of Aglona shrine according to agreement with the Holy Seat.Financial support is given by concretely expressed ad hoc demand (maintenance of concrete church buildings, etc.). Tax incentives are mostly identical in Lithuania and Latvia.

Obstacles of Child Adoption Implementation in the Republic of Lithuania: Experts‘ Point of View

Įvaikinimo trukdžiai Lietuvos Respublikoje. Ekspertų požiūris

Author(s): Natalja Gončiarova,Ilona Tamutienė / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 2/2016

Keywords: national adoption; implementation; public policy

The research deals with the evaluation of implementation of child adoption in the Republic of Lithuania. It tries to explain the phenomenon while revealing the main problems that prevent from seeking effective control and implementation of adoption as well as showing how the public policy may be improved. The qualitative research was chosen in order to reveal the attitudes of participants towards the regulation and implementation of child adoption.Nine participants took part in the research: two members of the Seimas (Parliament), two adoptive families, an expert and specialists from State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service of the Republic of Lithuania, Child Rights protection Service of the Republic of Lithuania, Non-governmental organization and Institution of the Ombudsman for Children Rights of the Republic of Lithuania. The semi-structured interview was chosen as a method to gather the data. However, structural and social problems exist that often become a basis forcomplicated procedures preventing from seeking effective implementation of adoption. The research revealed that the central institution does not perform coordination function which explains differences in practices and shows why activities often contravene the law. According to the results of the research, insufficiently developed social services for adoptive parents and not enough information about adoption services appear in the country. Moreover, the changes in the particular area are difficult to make because of the carelessness of the state institutions and the slow decision making process.

The Issue Attention Cycle Model and Corruption Issues in Canada and Kazakhstan

Dėmesio problemoms ciklo modelis ir korupcijos problemos Kanadoje bei Kazachstane

Author(s): Mergen Dyussenov / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2016

Keywords: attention cycles; Anthony Downs; political regime; Kazakhstan; Canada; corruption

The present research paper attempts to apply the issue attention cycle model of Anthony Downs to corruption issues in the contexts of Canada as a democracy,and Kazakhstan as a soft authoritarian regime. The major contributions to the existing body of knowledge include: 1. replicating the Down’s model to analyse the corruption issue across the two countries; and 2. attempting to observe cycle variations depending on the nature of political regimes, and thus holding the regime as an independent variable as applied to the Down’s model.

Professional competences of court administration managers in the face of organisational changes

Teismų administracijos vadybininkų profesinių kompetencijų ypatumai organizacinių pokyčių kontekste

Author(s): Tomasz Rostkowski,Marcin Witkowski / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2016

Keywords: competence management; management of change; public administration; court administration; managerial competence

The purpose of this article is to attempt an indication of the key priorities in the development of court administration managers‘ professional competences in the face of strategy-driven modernisation, legal conditions, current problems and the employees‘attitude towards changes. The article tries to present the directions for changes in court administration and shows the key results of the conducted research concerning the sources of resistance towards changes among the employees of this group of organisations. It enables to suggest priorities in the development of managerial competence in the Polish judiciary. It is assumed, however, that one of the major challenges is to consider the needs and hardships of particular courts and not of the whole system of justice.

From Central Control to Local Initiative: Regional Development in Latvia and Norway

Nuo centrinės kontrolės link vietinės iniciatyvos: regionų vystymas Latvijoje ir Norvegijoje

Author(s): Iveta Reinholde,Harald Koht / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2016

Keywords: public services; regional development; Latvia; Norway; policy tools; local partnership

This article discusses the development of regional policies in two countries, Latvia and Norway. The aim is to present how these policies have evolved and can be understood with the application of complexity theory as a common theoretical framework for analysis. Even though Latvia and Norway have quite different experiences in regional development policy, both have tried to react to modern challenges of globalization and demographic changes by using general theories and concepts of economic and social development. Differences and similarities between the two countries are high-lighted by a review of studies from Latvia and Norway that describes the variety of policies that can be applied for regional development.Regional policy in both countries has coalesced around support for local initiative and entrepreneurship.

Dissemination of the Ideas of Policism and Theoretical Thought in the Republic of Both Nations and the Autonomous Kingdom of Poland

Policizmo idėjų ir teorinės minties sklaida Abiejų Tautų Respublikoje bei autonominėje Lenkijos karalystėje

Author(s): Vainius Smalskys,Barbara Stankevič / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 2/2016

Keywords: cameralism; policism; administration; theoretical ideas; the Polish– Lithuanian state in the XVIII century; The Duchy of Warsaw; an autonomous Kingdom of Poland

In the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (the Republic of Both Nations) there were few disseminators of the ideas of policism; the policist thought was developing rather slowly.While analysing the dissemination of theoretical ideas of policism in the 18th century Republic of Both Nations, we can view the influence of German and to some extent French policists and the adaptation of their ideas in the works of R. Ładowski, G. Lengnich andother disseminators of the ideas of policism. They took over theoretical postulates of German policists. The disseminators of the ideas of policism – residents of the Republic of Both Nations – accepted the German tradition of policism. Some of them (G. Lengnich, F. Naxand others) were of German origin and culture. Conversely, in the nearest German states as well as in the neighbouring German states of the Republic of Both Nations (Prussia, Saxonyor Austria) cameralism and policism were already being developed at the academic level;therefore, it was easier to take over theoretical postulates than to rely on the ideas created and developed in their own state. After the collapse of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth,the ideas and research of German scholars had further influence and were being successfully taken over in the Kingdom of Poland which was then both autonomous and dependent from Russia.

Relation between Long-term Liabilities and Selected Indicators in the Case of Municipalities with Extended Powers in the South Moravian Region

Ilgalaikių įsipareigojimų ir atrinktų subjektų santykis savivaldybėse su išplėstais įgaliojimais Pietų Moravijos regione

Author(s): Eva Lajtkepová / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2016

Keywords: budget; municipality; cluster analysis

The purpose of this article is to summarise data on long-term liabilities in municipalities with extended powers in the South Moravian Region and to determine whether these long-term liabilities correspond to the number of subsidized organizations and the rate of transfers to the income in the budget of the municipality. It is assumed that long-term liabilities per capita will be higher in municipalities with a larger number of subsidized organisations and that they will be higher in the case of municipalities with a higher rate of transfers to their budget income (i.e. in the case of municipalities that are less financially self-sufficient). Data provided by the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic was used which was processed via statistical methods (descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and cluster analysis). Subject to the calculation of correlation coefficients, only the transfer ratio was usable for the cluster analysis because the value of the correlation coefficient between the long-term liabilities per capita and the number of subsidised organisations showed insignificant dependency. Therefore, we were unable to prove our assumption number one, that long-term liabilities if expressed on a per capita basis would be higher in the case of municipalities which operate a higher number of subsidized organisations. However, the outcomes of the cluster analysis did not confirm the second assumption. All we could declare was that extreme values appeared to have grouped up: municipalities with the highest (or lowest, as the case might have been) values of the long-term liabilities per capita showed the highest (or lowest, as the case might have been) transfer ratio.

Critical Review of D. Colander and R. Kupers (2014) Complexity and the Art of Public Policy

Critical Review of D. Colander and R. Kupers (2014) Complexity and the Art of Public Policy

Author(s): Mergen Dyussenov / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2016

REFLECTION IN THE PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY OF THE SOCIAL WORKER

REFLEKSIJA PROFESINĖJE SOCIALINIO DARBUOTOJO VEIKLOJE

Author(s): Leta Dromantienė,Valdonė Indrašienė,Justinas Sadauskas / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 1/2016

Keywords: reflection; improvement of professional activity; social work; learning from experience

The article deals with the use of activity reflection in social work, it discloses the experience of social workers that work with families at risk applying reflection. The peculiarity of the activity of the social worker is determined by the diversity of social problems and clients, dynamic relationship with different groups of clients. That means that the social worker must be able to organise the social work process with clients establishing and assessing the social needs and the social problems. It is the same important that the social worker aims for improvement in the Professional activity, since only a continuously improving specialist may efficiently help his/her clients by way of creating mutual meaningful and problem solution orientated interrelationship. For the performance of the research a qualitative research access was applied, for the data collection a semi-structured interview was used. 7 social workers with the experience of not less than 10 years of social work with families at risk were selected by way of targeted criterion-selection. The data of the research were analysed applying the content analysis method. The analysis of scientific literature showed that reflection of the professional activity of the social worker is associated with the learning from experience and is the essential factor of professional activity improvement. Ability to activate the reflection process, as a response to the real problems of social work, considering and making decisions for the future enables development of efficient professional practice. Empiric research disclosed that social workers reflect their professional activities in critical cases (dissatisfaction with the results of activity, felt by oneself or expressed by others) on the individual and interaction levels. The place or time for activity reflection depends on the complexity of the situation and possibilities: in work place or back at home. In cases of very anxious situations social workers reflect on their activity or on a particular situation in any place – “right here and now”. The analysis of the research results disclosed that the reflection experienced by social workers might be either constructive or unprofitable. Constructive reflection encourages participation in the process of continuous learning: engage in self-education, self-help, to take over the best experiences of colleague. Unprofitable reflection orientates the social worker towards dissatisfaction with one’s self and with the results of the work. In order to avoid the unprofitable reflection it is necessary that the heads of the institutions initiate reflections on the organisational level.

IMPLEMENTING THE SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE GROUNDED IN ASSESSMENT THEORY WHEN WORKING WITH FAMILIES AT RISK

ĮVERTINIMO TEORIJA GRĮSTO MODELIO TAIKYMAS ĮGYVENDINANT SOCIALINĮ DARBĄ SU SOCIALINĖS RIZIKOS ŠEIMOMIS

Author(s): Vida Gudžinskienė,Rimvydas Augutavičius,Justina Višnevskienė / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 1/2016

Keywords: assessment; social work theory; methods of assessment; family at risk; social work

The demand for writing this type of article is predetermined by the urging contextof Lithuanian social work practice. The recent resonant cases of families at risk whichhave been noted by public because of ongoing abuse and death of children, in spite of thenumber of different professionals being involved with the families for years, have disclosedthe necessity for empowering the social work professionals to use effective social workmethods. Assessment in social work process is been considered to be the key element ineffective practice which would result in change of clients’ situation. However, the socialwork theory is often neglected by the professionals that are not able to move social workprinciples into the practice. It is considered that social work practice should be organizedin line with the theoretical principles, so the aim of this article is to introduce the effectiveassessment methods grounded in innovative social work theory and developed by socialwork professionals working with families at risk in Lithuania’s socio cultural context.The object of the study – the development and implementation of the practical methodof assessment which is grounded in theory of social work.The objective of the study – to analyze the theory of assessment in social work and tointroduce the principles of narrative assessment application in social work with families atrisk practice. The study is been performed by making the scientific literature analysis and disclosureof inductive development of assessment model grounded in social work theory.The assessment is the key element of social work process which is ongoing process,usually integrated into all phases of social work practice. The assessment has to help thesocial worker to use personalization and valuing the diversity principles, apply constructivecooperation between clients and social worker in order to lead the practice process basedon narrative assessment approach in the decision making on further actions for the desiredchange. The application of practical model of assessment which is been developed by integratingeco-mapping method, family strengths and difficulties chart and unique content oforganizing assessment in order to develop common narrative together, is a handy to usetool that empowers the client to get involved into the process and realize the nature of theirsituation as well as to cooperate in decision making that leads into planning the furtheractions and development of family social work plan.

POLITICIANS‘ATTITUDES TOWARD WOMEN VIOLENCE AGAINST MEN

POLITIKŲ POŽIŪRIS Į MOTERŲ SMURTĄ PRIEŠ VYRUS

Author(s): Raminta Bardauskienė,Jolanta Pivorienė / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 1/2016

Keywords: violence; forms of violence; attitude toward men who suffered women violence

Violence is one of the most complex psychosocial problems, especially if it is experienced from close person like spouse. This problem is not related to social status or other sociodemographic characteristics like ethnicity, religion, etc., it could occur in any place and under any circumstances. Domestic violence becomes one of the most relevant problems in a society, however, scientific research more often focuses on women who suffer from spouses violence and there is a lack of research about men who suffer from women violence. This article aims to fill this gap and to analyse some aspects of women violence against men.The goal of the article is to find out what are attitudes of Parliament members toward women violence against men. The quantitative research was conducted in order to answer three research questions: what actions of women can be understood as violence, what support men search after the violence, what is attitude to men who suffered women violence.Literature review revealed that violence against women and children are analysed more often, usually men are described as aggressive, dominant offenders. However, researchers in masculinity field state that men also could experience violence but they tend to hide the fact because they are ashamed, afraid of disapprobation of society, they don’t know whereto apply for support. Research data showed that respondents count violence such actions of women asoffensive remarks and jokes, shouting and scolding, pushing, damaging things, forcing for sexual intercourse, threatening to refuse to see their children, threatening to divorce.These are forms of psychological, physical and sexual violence. However, respondents don’t recognize such economic and psychological violence as prohibition to work or study,constantly expressed unfounded jealousy, ignorance and not speaking, obstruction to communicate with friends and reproaches.Most respondents stated that they would not apply for a support after experiencing violence from women, because they don’t see violent action of women as serious problem,they don’t think that it is violence. Respondents’ attitude toward men who suffered violence from women is controversial. On the one hand, they said that violence experienced men should search for a support, but they personally in case of women’s violence, are not going to ask for a help.Respondents are not minded to feel sorry for men who suffered violence from women,but they are not prone to stigmatize or blame such men as well. Research participants think that any men, not only weak ones, can suffer violence from women. Very small proportion of respondents said that their attitude toward mistreated men is negative.

FACTORS OF POLITICAL, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL PARTICIPATION OF ADULT PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY

EPILEPSIJA SERGANČIŲ SUAUGUSIŲ ASMENŲ POLITINIO, KULTŪRINIO IR SOCIALINIO DALYVAVIMO VEIKSNIAI

Author(s): Sandra Krutulienė / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 1/2016

Keywords: political participation; social participation; cultural participation; adult with epilepsy

The article analyses political, cultural and social participation of adults with epilepsy.Research goal: to assess peculiarities of participation and its factors among adults with epilepsy. This article is based on the findings of the survey of 220 adults with epilepsy aged 18–85 years old. Secondary data analysis of departmental (state) statistics is also applied in the article, which enables to compare the participation trends of the people with epilepsy to Lithuanian population participation in political, social and cultural activities.The research results reveal that every fourth respondent tends to be politically inactive and only every tenth respondent tends to be very politically active. More than 80 percent of adults with epilepsy do not participate in social activities (the extent to which people with epilepsy participate in formal and informal organizations is an indicator of social participation in our study). The survey demonstrates low participation rates in cultural activities, especially in those requiring financial expenditures, e.g. ballet, concert, cinema or theatre. The research results disclose low participation rates in social and cultural activities of adults with epilepsy though political participation rate is higher. Personal choice or lack of interest is a major cause of their inactivity in political, social and cultural activities. Almost every second of the political inactive adult with epilepsy is apolitical.Most of people with epilepsy who are not involved in activities of nonprofit organizations do not want to belong to any organization. The data analysis makes it possible to conclude that the disease factors (characteristics of epilepsy) do not affect political, social or cultural participation strongly. Only comorbid medical conditions impact significantly on lower social participation of people with epilepsy. The results of the research show that the impact of personal factors such as age and education on the political, social and cultural participation among people with epilepsy is strong. Stigma of epilepsy and emotional state of people with epilepsy also appear to be significant factors restricting successful participation in political, social and cultural activities too.

THE PROVISION OF ENGAGEMENT SERVICES FOR PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS

UŽIMTUMO PASLAUGŲ TEIKIMAS PSICHIATRIJOS PACIENTAMS

Author(s): Vida Gudžinskienė,Aušra Driskienė / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 1/2016

Keywords: engagement; activities; psychiatric hospital

Engagement services for persons with mental illnesses improve the quality of their life,social participation and assists their integration in society. Engagement activities provide an opportunity for the persons to change their environment and to engage in their favourite activity. The purpose of the article is to reveal the provision of engagement services for psychiatry patients. The study tasks are: 1) to describe the forms of engagement services and the potential for their application to psychiatric patients; 2) to establish what possibilities to choose engagement activities have been created for the patients, their participation in engagement activities, motivations, frequency and duration of psychiatric hospital X. The study sample is targeted and criterion-based. While cooperating with the medical staff of an institution 176 investigatees were interviewed according to the following criteria: 1) a person is treated in a psychiatric hospital X, 2) a mental illness of the person is in the remission phase,3) the person is able to independently answer the questions presented in the questionnaire.The study was conducted in the January of 2015 while respecting ethical principles.It is appropriate to use psychotherapeutic, social and daily living skills development,task performance, food cooking, the development of computer literacy, gardening, social,communication and sharing, physical activity, games, various handicrafts, music, art, bibliotherapy and other activities for psychiatric patients. Through the engagement services, labour, leisure and household skills are developed in psychiatric patients in orderto reduce obstacles for psichiatric patients to integrate in society. The study established that the majority of the persons, who are treated in the psychiatric hospital X, are informed about the services provided in the hospital, which they can obtain in the hospital, and participate in the engagement activities organised by the hospital. The study revealed that the investigatees mostly participate in psychotherapeutic, daily living and social skills development, sports, computer literacy, ceramics, food cooking activities in which they can choose independently and decide how often during a week they will attend them and how much time they will allot to an engagement activity. The persons, who do not participate in engagement activities, list their weak health as one of the main reasons why they do not participate in engagement activities.

EXPERIENCE OF LITHUANIA’S TEACHERS WORKING WITH INTERACTIVE SYSTEM ACTIVINSPIRE

LIETUVOS MOKYTOJŲ, DIRBANČIŲ SU „ACTIVINSPIRE“ INTERAKTYVIĄJA SISTEMA, PATIRTYS

Author(s): Jolita Dudaitė,Romas Prakapas / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 1/2016

Keywords: „ActivInspire“; mathematics teaching; science teaching; school; information and communication technology (ICT)

New technological tools and solutions, which nowadays are becoming more widely predominant, change the traditional approach to teaching and learning (in terms of both education content and selection of forms and application of methods). Lately the teachers were offered a new system in Lithuania – ActivInspire – which was primarily oriented towards the teaching process of mathematics and science in the 5th classes. The problem analysed in the article – the experience of Lithuania’s school teachers in using new technologies (ActivInspire system) in educational process. The subject of the research is a school year’s teaching experience of teachers who use ActivInspire interactive white board in mathematics and science lessons in the 5th classes. The purpose of the research is to summarize one school year’s teaching experience of teachers in terms of work with the interactive teaching tools (ActivInspire system). The research was carried out in the 2013–2014 school year. Teachers using ActivInspire interactive whiteboard for teaching mathematics and science in the 5th classes participated in the survey. The research character – qualitative. During a school year, the teachers were writing reflections about their experience in using the interactive teaching tools in lessons:interactive whiteboard, electronic textbooks and student response system. The reflections were written from September to May (inclusive), once a week, in free format describing experience in working with the interactive teaching tools.At the end of the article, the conclusions are provided. The teachers who participated in the survey, in principle, give positive opinion about the use of new technologies. The teachers find work with interactive tools interesting, useful (in various aspects), effective and handy. As regards negative experience, most remarks are related to the fact that use of the interactive tools in lessons and preparation for such lessons require more efforts and time; moreover, it is not always clear how to use these interactive tools – due to lack of competence and skills, difficulty. In any case, work with interactive teaching tools change teachers’ work pattern and the centre of gravity of their activity by giving more attention for the detailed preparation for a lesson.

YOGA AS A PRACTICE FOR HOLISTIC CONSCIOUS SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONALITY

JOGA KAIP HOLISTINĖS ASMENYBĖS SAVIUGDOS PRAKTIKA

Author(s): Aušra Kolbergytė / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 1/2016

Keywords: holistic conscious self-development; yoga; meditation

Modern education system is more focused on the development of learners’ mental intelligence and potential for economic productivity. However, the primary aim of education is neglected – to create conditions to develop persons as fully conscious and mature personalities with a strong character, stable value system, and revealed inner talents. The need for conscious self-development is formed, because the man is facing health problems and constant stress in modern society. The relevance of the problem becomes apparent by understanding that there is a lack of qualitative research revealing the concept of yoga as a holistic practice for conscious self-development. The main research question – what is typical for the experience of yoga as a holistic practice to conscious self-development of personality? The theoretical-philosophical basis for the study consists of the Eastern philosophy of education. The qualitative research using interpretative phenomenological elements has been carried out. The sample consisted of 12 research participants including 5 women and 7 men. Semi-structured and in-depth interviews were used in this study;data were processed basing on thematic analysis. The investigation has shown that yoga is a holistic practice for conscious self-development encompassing physical, mental and spiritual levels. Yoga is a form of self-knowledge and spiritual development aiming the formation of harmonious personality within improvement of health, development of consciousness, and the creation of spiritual relationship with yourself. It was found that yoga helps to achieve optimal results at the level of personality spiritual growth when the alert awareness is developed, intuition is amplified and when the subtle energetic power to know the unique human nature is mastered revealing inner talents and creative potential.For this purpose, skills of introspection, concentration and self-control are developed, also silencing the mind, listening to the sound, furthermore the methods of visualization and conscious reprogramming are applied. Meditation as the highest stage of yoga helps to make the strongest connection with the spiritual world by contact with the Cosmic Consciousness.

Non-traditional Christian Religiosity in Klaipeda During Two Decades of Lithuania’s Independence

Nedenominacinių krikščioniškų bendruomenių raiška Klaipėdos mieste dviejų nepriklausomybės dešimtmečių akivaizdoje

Author(s): Jolita Viluckienė / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 58/2016

Keywords: Non-traditional Christian religious community; Non-denominational charismatic church; Word of Love Christian Church; Free Christian Church in Klaipeda; The City Church

This article presents Klaipeda’s non-traditional Christian religious communities – non-denominational charismatic churches The Word of Love Church, the Free Christian Church in Klaipeda and the City Church, their changes, and their relationship with the urban population during the two decades of Lithuania’s Independence. The article based on material of leaders’ narrations of non-denominational churches, collected through in-depth qualitative interview method and discourse analysis of the local media publications.

The Geography of the Spread of Roman Catholics in the Territory of Tomsk Province at the Second Half of the 19th Century According to Tomsk Parish Registers

География расселения римо-католиков по территории Томской губернии во второй половине 19 века согласно метрическим книгам Томского прихода

Author(s): Viktor Bilotas / Language(s): Russian / Issue: 58/2016

Keywords: Catholic Church; 19th century; Siberia; Russian empire; Registers

The article presents the method and results of the research of Tomsk Roman Catholic parish registers from 1866 to 1893. Revealed aspects: the geography of Catholic settlements in Tomsk province at the end of the 19th century, the number of Catholics in towns and volosts of this province.