(Jaki?) Doktorat i co dalej? Rzecz o wysoko wykwalifikowanych specjalistach w społecznościach lokalnych

Author(s): Wlodzimierz Olszewski / Language(s): Polish / Issue: 02/2014

When searching for the internal developmental dominants of the local societies, it is crucial to focus on highly qualified specialists with the scientific degree. The reflections presented in the article are focused on the models of obtaining the doctorate degree, indicating the barriers for further scientific career of the doctors from the outside of the academic environments as well as their activity aiming at introducing the social and cultural changes. I do also try to create the typology of doctors inside the local societies. The said reflections are related to the Polkowice sub-region and are the case study itself.

(Nie)zdolność gimnazjalistów do owocnego przyjęcia bierzmowania

Author(s): Janusz Mastalski / Language(s): Polish / Issue: 24/2017

The author of the article answers the question: What do we mean by one’s inability to receive fruitfully the sacrament of Confirmation? It is a lack of the conditions necessary to multiply graces associated with a particular sacrament. It is a kind of resistance to the use of all the gifts that are connected with the reception of the sacrament. This inability causes one to become a person who wastes the power given by the Lord. The author then discusses the reasons for this inability and simultaneously shows the factors which can enhance a human being’s fruitful reception of the sacraments, especially of the sacrament of Confirmation. Among the factors of inability, the author includes: netoholism, phonoholism (addiction to the internet and the cell phone), defamilization (the undoing of the family), “irresponsibilism”, epidermal (superficial) religiosity, psychocide and spiritocide (the killing of the psyche and the spirit), intrusiveness of global trends and the lack of pastoral creativity for today’s youth. The author also reveals factors which can promote the ability of teenagers to make the sacrament of Confirmation effectively: the multiplicity of methods of evangelization, modern affirmation of integral development, “plasticity” of personality, the desire for community resulting from development, the longing for the sacred and the search for a way to live.

[Wybrane zagadnienia pedagogiki społecznej, Wojciech Sroczyński, Siedlce 2011, ss. 267]

Author(s): Krzysztof Dziurzynski / Language(s): Polish / Issue: 3/2012

Review of: Wojciech Sroczyński "Selected topics of social pedagogy". Siedlce 2011, 267 pp. by: Krzysztof Dziurzyński

A POSTMODERN NARRATIVE FOR AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY

Author(s): Philip Higgs / Language(s): English / Issue: 4/2016

In this essay I argue for a distinctively postmodern African knowledge culture which recognizes that knowledge is not only local, but also inter-subjective. Such an African knowledge culture not only includes the idea of what I refer to as plural conversations in an inter-African context, but also includes a cross-cultural knowledge that facilitates cross-cultural dialogue and understanding. In the light of this, I propose an orientation to African knowledge culture that has cultural relevance insofar as it is mounted on concepts peculiar to an inter-African context, as well as in the larger context of a continuing cross-cultural dialogue. Such an African knowledge culture acknowledges the necessity to develop the ability to grasp the fundamentals of indigenous African cultures and other cultures by way of adopting and living out what I call a postmodern dis-position. Such a postmodern dis-position would perceive an African knowledge culture not only as an inter-cultural African philosophy of personal intent, but also as the practice of cross-cultural dialogue, where culture takes on the form of a consensual or social epistemology, that is, an epistemology deliberately situated in a particular cultural context and sensitive to the need for cross-cultural dialogue. In this instance, the individual recognizes and exercises knowledge(s) appropriate to his/her culture, and at the same time has a critical awareness of the knowledge(s) and cultural traditions of both his/her culture and that of other cultures. In so doing, the individual constructs a sound epistemic identity for his/her culture, as well as one that meets the particular demands of his/her unique cultural context. Such an epistemic identity perceives of philosophy as a product of, and a reflection on, reality, as a guide to life; while the experience out of which philosophy emerges is determined by how people have lived in their particular historic and cultural contexts.

A REFLECTION ON KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION IN AFRICA: QUESTIONS OF EPISTEMOLOGY AND RESEARCH FOR SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION IN AFRICA

Author(s): Tukumbi Lumumba-Kasongo / Language(s): English / Issue: 4/2016

In the center of the issues about knowledge production and its circulation in Africa are the following critical questions: How does an African society learn things? What does it learn? And what does it do with the learned information? An attempt to dialectically reply to these questions leads us to discuss the issue about the quest for transformation of society from the dynamics of research and the power of knowledge. A reflection on the processes and mechanisms through which knowledge is produced in Africa is not a technical and linear exercise. Various issues related to the conceptualization of what knowledge production entails in contemporary Africa are raised as well as epistemological foundation of definitions, conceptualization and consumption of this knowledge are also examined. Furthermore, other vital questions of knowledge production for whom and for what are also analyzed within the intent of continuously searching for new paradigms as necessary in the struggles for social transformation in Africa. There is no single method, discipline or approach through which knowledge can be produced universally or internationally and be used to either transform a given society or to maintain its status quo. Knowledge production has specific actors, consumers and institutions, and the processes of knowledge production are essentially social and political. The producers have their interests, just as the consumers have theirs. By and large, this paper is a generalized critical reflection on knowledge production in Africa within the existing political systems or regimes, with a special attention being paid to the question of epistemology and research for social transformation. My claims and arguments are contextualized by the imperatives of contemporary African politics, which are synthesized in the policies and practices of colonial Africa, those of post-colonial Africa, of neoliberal globalism, and the agendas that emerged out the social struggles.

Academic media literacy and the role of universities

Author(s): Thomas Pfeffer / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2014

Since tertiary education is the highest level of the sequentially structured formal education system, one can argue that universities should help their students to achieve the highest levels of literacy. In this sense, academic literacy comprises all skills necessary to competently read and write academic texts. Comparing different information and communication technologies in a historic perspective, it becomes obvious that digital media create new media formats and academic genres. Academic media literacy therefore could be interpreted as the competence to critically use and produce new types of academic artefacts. To be able to teach and train these skills, universities have to become more aware of the requirements of scholarly media use and media production.

Adaptácia dieťaťa na základnú školu z pohľadu matiek s rôznou vzdelanostnou úrovňou.

Author(s): Zuzana Bánovcanová,Lucia Krajcovicová / Language(s): Slovak / Issue: 1/2016

The contribution is dealing with a view of mothers on adaptation of the child to the primary school. Not only a child is accepting a new role of a pupil (schoolboy, schoolgirl), but parents are also accepting new duties and responsibilities which are connected to the change of a child starting a primary school. Our intention is to describe different approach of mothers, depending on their level of education, for the preparation of their child for this change to the most continuous adaptation. Our outcome is coming from analogous studies of authors from Czech-Slovak environment, which shows the diversity of approaches of mothers with higher education and lower education to the choice of school and preparation to it. In our case we describe some proceedings and strategies of these mothers, which are diverse especially in the late months of schooling, however, all mothers in our research leave the preparation of a child for school to a high extent to the nursery school.

Agambenowska szczelina edukacyjna. Recenzja Tyson E. Lewis, On Study: Giorgio Agamben and Educational Potentiality

Author(s): Oskar Szwabowski / Language(s): Polish / Issue: 01/2015

Review of: Oskar Szwabowski - Agambenowska szczelina edukacyjna. Recenzja Tyson E. Lewis, On Study: Giorgio Agamben and Educational Potentiality, Routlege 2013

Akademická prokrastinace a její negativní dopady na vysokoškolské studenty.

Author(s): Martina Grunová / Language(s): Czech / Issue: 4/2015

This the-sis is focused on academic procrastination, procrastination, therefore, which is tied exclusively to students in the academic environment and its negative effects, namely in the area of study, social relations and health. The aim of this work is to present a comprehensive view of the phenomenon of procrastination, provide a summary of existing knowledge, more familiar with the problems of procrastination among coll-ege students and in particular to bring the importance of the phenomenon of procras-tination, which has a long history abroad. Attention focuses on research arise at the Faculty of Humanities, Tomas Bata University in Zlin and a summary of its results. The aim of the research was to determine the prevalence of procrastination and its negative impact on respondents. The main objective of this research was to identify the reported measure of academic procrastination and identify the impact of acade-mic procrastination in the study, social relationships and health of students FHS UTB. The empirical part was based on quantitative investigation of the phenomenon of academic procrastination on a sample of 200 students of the Faculty of Humanities UTB, which has been selected questionnaire, which was used, among other things Procrastination Scale for Students.

Aktywność uczniów na rzecz własnego rozwoju, jak również rozwoju szkoły.

Author(s): Barbara Antczak / Language(s): Polish / Issue: 4/2013

The main issue of this paper is to explore ways of spending free time by young people and their activities in and outside the school. While considering the issue of children and young people free time, there is a need to analyze the concept of after-school (extracurricular) activities, because it is a broader understanding of the concept of leisure time. Extracurricular activity shall mean all activities that young people take in their free time at school, which are held after regular classes in the school and the school is organizing them. After-school activities are those that take place outside the school and are arranged by any kind of organization or institution.

An Analysis of the Barriers to Inclusion of Children with Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties (besd) in the Contexts of Greece and England

Author(s): Katerina Lykourgioti / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2017

Children with Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties (BESD) are at high risk of experiencing exclusion in both England and Greece. However, this particular category of Special Educational Needs (SEN) has so far received relatively little academic or political attention in comparison to other SEN. This paper attempts to point out the barriers that may prevent the inclusion of children with BESD both in terms of the theoretical conceptualisation of the category itself and in terms of the policies and practices that England and Greece may implement. In order to achieve a further yet coherent picture of the current situation, this paper has identified three different types of factors that may negatively influence inclusion. Therefore, by discussing the possible ideological, structural, and practical challenges, the paper aims to highlight the crucial need for further theoretical insight that would be able to inform and promote the establishment of a more cohesive and efficient legislative framework for pupils with BESD in both countries.

Analysis of the Bulgarian National Curriculum on the Subject “Man and Nature” in 4th Grade and the Textbooks in the Context of the TIMSS 2015 Framework: A Comparative Analysis of the Content Area

Author(s): Ivanka Kirilova / Language(s): English / Issue: 3/2017

Bulgaria is on the verge of its first 4th graders’ participation in the TIMSS 2015 (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) assessment. That is why the analysis of the Curriculum and the representative textbooks is of extreme significance. It is of utmost importance to identify the areas of coincidence, as well as those, where there is a discrepancy in order to align it with the TIMSS 2015 framework. In an attempt to provide such information, in the current article, a brief content analysis is made, and some problem areas are outlined. This could lead to reconsidering the Bulgarian National Curriculum and the respective textbooks in order to improve children’s performance and to develop their knowledge and practical skills.

ANALYSIS OF THE CHILDREN'S MOTIVATION FOR THE INTERNET USE AND THEIR ACTIVITIES IN THE ONLINE ENVIRONMENT

Author(s): Jelena Filipovic / Language(s): English / Issue: 2/2016

The aim of this research was to explore the presence of information technologies in children's homes in Serbia and children's activities in the online environment, according to their age, gender and economic status, based on the theory of uses and gratifications. The research adopted the survey technique, investigating 979 children aged from 7 to 13 in five cities in Serbia: Belgrade, Niš, Novi Sad, Šabac and Valjevo. The results of our study indicate that children's age and economic status influence their usage of the computer and of the Internet, while both gender and age determine their preferred activities. It is established that there is a digital gap between the European and Serbian children. The lower opportunity to access the Internet may negatively affect children’s academic performances. Variations in the patterns of the Internet usage between boys and girls have been narrowed, while boys still remain in higher risks to be exposed to the unsafe content and behaviour in the web space. Motivation for online activities is moderated by the children’s age. Educational consequences are discussed and suggestions provided.

Andragogo vaidmenų raiška modernioje visuomenėje

Author(s): Kestutis Trakšelys,Ruta Marija Andriekiene / Language(s): Lithuanian / Issue: 3/2016

The article reveals and analyzes the heterogenic roles of andragogues in the nowadays changing adult education reality. Today we can meet the elements of andragogue’s activities in various sectors and social fields: vocational education and training, continuing vocational training, professional and social integration, institutions and organisations providing in-service training for staff, adult education, various administrative structures, associations, leisure clubs, health education, social work, colleges, universities, institutions that are dealing with informally or non-formally acquired learning outcomes validation, providing counselling or information services, etc. Thus, the andragogue’s profession is not legitimized yet and there is no andragogue’s position, we have to discuss the roles that are really performed and their expression in other positions. The article consists of two chapters. The Chapter One analyzes various roles realized by andragogue: andragogue lecturer, organizer, analyst, counsellor, and tutor. There are efforts based on scientific literature analysis and praxeological andragogues’ activities investigations in order to justify the roles performed by andragogue. The Chapter Two is dedicated to the real expression of the andragogue’s performance roles in different positions of adult education actor. It is assumed that this factor makes andragogues’ professionalization more difficult, there is a need to legitimize the profession.

Appalachia in the Classroom Teaching the Region – Theresa L. Burriss and Patricia M. Gantt (eds.)

Author(s): Gabriela Chefneux / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2016

Around the Bloc: Into the Mainstream

Author(s): Barbara Levine / Language(s): English / Issue: 10/04/2016

As Czech students headed back to class this fall, their schools started implementing a long-awaited law that could finally end the de facto segregation of Roma students – though activists remain skeptical.

Around the Bloc: Latvia Targets ‘Disloyal’ Teachers

Author(s): TOL TOL / Language(s): English / Issue: 10/18/2016

Amendments to the Education Act foresee dismissing teachers untrue to the Latvian state and Constitution, sparking fears of censorship.

Around the Bloc: Mental Athletics Increasingly Popular in Mongolia

Author(s): TOL TOL / Language(s): English / Issue: 08/16/2016

Mongolians, statistically, are the world’s best speed memorizers, in no small part thanks to one man’s visionary scheme.

Aspiracje zawodowe rodziców wobec synów i córek

Author(s): Waldemar Kozlowski,Ewa Matczak / Language(s): Polish / Issue: 3/2016

The article presents the career aspirations of parents of primary school students in relation to their children. In years 2011 and 2014 twice was examined the same sample (of approximately 5000 parents). Aspirations of parents are concen- trated mainly in professions requiring higher education and training, and they are very stable. There is a clear division in the professions of „female” and „male” types. Parental aspirations have not noted the impact of change manners, and situation in the labour market. The research results are discussed on the background of the results of similar studies conducted in recent years.

Assessment of Importance of Competences for Students – Future Preschool Teachers in Serbia and Romania

Author(s): Tanja Nedimovic,Adrijan Božin,Nataša Sturza Milic / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2014

Education plays special role in fostering development of human potentials for acquiring competence as general ability of an individual. New educational and psychological paradigms consider competence as a set of potentials, development capacity of an individual to successfully achieve its objectives, needs and roles in various areas of social and professional life and for mutual communication with others. Modern approaches emphasize the obsolete nature of the concept of one-dimensional competences of education, which has been primarily based only on knowledge, stressing the importance of practical activities, active teaching, creative work, ability of working in team and understanding others. This paper presents the results of an empiricalexplorative study aimed at identifying competences that preschool teachers believe to be important for their vocation. The overall sample consisted of 306 respondents, future preschool teachers who study in Serbia and Romania. The research is based on a questionnaire that was developed for students with the goal to examine the extent of differences regarding the assessment of importance of competences for the vocation of preschool teacher depending on the year of study and place of residence (Serbia / Romania). The research revealed that there are statistically significant differences in the assessment of importance of preschool teacher competences and the place of residence. Students from Romania attribute higher importance to the knowledge of standards required for the vocation of preschool teachers, achieving objectives in accordance with the program, using information technologies, evaluating the own work and awareness of the importance of lifelong learning, than do students from Serbia. Results obtained in this research may find their application through incorporation in teaching programs of higher education institutions of content related to the importance of competence of future preschool teachers.