Хигиената като учебен предмет във възрожденското училище

Author(s): Vladimir Terziev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 5/2021

Understanding the concept of hygiene during the Revival includes a complex meaning as a science that helps to protect human health. The need to study this discipline excites a number of Revival educators, doctors and public figures, especially in the period: the mid-60s of the XIX century until the Liberation. This trend is followed by careful analysis and selection of source material, mainly from the Revival press and textbooks, which contain such information. The conclusions show that hygiene fails to establish itself as a ubiquitous subject, but elements of it are introduced into the learning process. Nevertheless, the foundations of the health culture of Bulgarian students were laid, one of the signs of modernization that Bulgarian society experienced during the Revival.

Двойното сляпо рецензиране в научната периодика в сферата на хуманитаристиката – аспекти на използването на Publons в България

Author(s): Asen Kozhuharov,Atanaska Cholakova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 5/2021

Based on Publons and the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI) data, we analyze the state of peer-review procedures' implementation in Bulgarian SSH (Social Sciences and Humanities) scholarly journals. We establish the beginning of Bulgarian journals' transformation and the application of a specific peer-review Bulgarian model in terms of attracting foreign reviewers. At the same time, compared with our neighbouring countries, an apparent abandonment and lack of evaluation procedures' verification is observed. The paper also justifies the need to improve the higher education policy in introducing adequate criteria tracking the status and actual implementation of peer review in scientific periodicals.

Humanistic Perception of National Security – a Basic Concept for Security and Defense Education and Training

Author(s): Elitsa Petrova,Stoyko Stoykov / Language(s): English Issue: 5/2021

This article considers the humanistic perception of national security as a basic concept for security and defense training and education. The used scientific methodology includes a theoretical overview of the issues, covering a variety of literary sources in combination with the development of elements of practical and applied nature. The object of research is the concept of human security and its inherent elements. The concept of human security is at the heart of security and defense training and education today. The concept is leading in modern paradigms and understandings of security in general and it is intertwined with the statements of traditional security and defense, degree of participation of the army in public life, the art of defending the nation with military means and resources. The main idea of the authors is to highlight the inseparability between security, defense and opportunities for maintenance, training and development of armed forces, as one of the most complex activities known to mankind, with an emphasis on human being and human security.

Higher Education in a Pandemic: Global Implications Based on a Case Study from Bulgaria

Author(s): Georgi Zabunov,Albena Stefanova / Language(s): English Issue: 5/2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an ultimate challenge affecting all areas of human activity. Higher education had to respond by revealing its potential to adapt to and tackle the negative effects of the crisis so as to keep the quality of academic education and research. This critical situation served as a litmus test for HEIs readiness to face and manage crises. The potential of such experience is considered based on the authors’ experience as well as on a survey including HEI stakeholders and revealing their attitudes and perceptions on their work in the pandemic. Global implications are made about educational opportunities and benefits.

Анализ на жизнения стандарт на населението и фактори за неговото развитие

Author(s): Margarita Lambova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 5/2021

In a consecutive order, this article examines certain topics that connect the “living standard” phenomenon and the opportunities for analysis through a series of parameters (characteristics); the fundamental measurement methods (approaches); other social phenomena and processes in public spaces. Simultaneously, the article introduces aspects of the influence of the living standards on social development. Through a system of indicators, a quantitative and qualitative complex analysis of the human potential development is possible. Some of said indicators bear information of the development’s content as a socioeconomic category, whereas others give an opportunity for evaluation of its components; however, only in a systematic and interconnected manner, can those indicators be used to characterize the development’s complexity and its multiple aspects. The human development index and its components summarize the achieved level of social development in the separate countries as a quantitative measure for human potential.

Система за стимулиране и усъвършенстване уменията на учениците за творческо мислене

Author(s): Darinka Stoyanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 5/2021

The analysis of the current state of the Bulgarian school education outlines the main problem – orientation towards memorizing and reproduction instead of provoking thinking, independence and developing skills.Can thinking be taught? How far can this possibility reach? The real practice of nowadays school differs more and more from that kind of education led by the illusion that thinking appears itself in the process of education. Creativity is a matter of value. A new idea is really creative when it is useful or adds some real value for someone. According to prof. Edward de Bono creative thinking is most of all a skill but not a matter of a personal talent or a sudden dawn of inspiration.Cognitive Research Trust program (CoRT) gives the opportunity to teach thinking in the extra-curricular activities at school. Mental methods and tools of thinking form an effective system for stimulating and developing students’ creative thinking skills.

Гимназистите – предизвикателство към учителя по български език

Author(s): Diana Dimitrova-Yordanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 5/2021

Mass media and social networking are fast-developing forms of communication in our world and in education in particular. Their language is attractive and comprehensible for everyone. Through them some phenomena which deviate from the literary norm  can be observed in speech. Over time speakers stop looking at them as a deviation in their language behaviour. Such mistakes are usually considered as manifestation of low education or as insufficient knowledge of the literary norm. The article shows an experiment where the found deviations are turning into an interesting "game" at school which helps creating attitudes and gaining experience.

Influence of Psychological and Pedagogical Features of Students on their Activity in Self-Education

Author(s): Iryna Sereda,Svitlana Karskanova / Language(s): English Issue: 8/2021

Theoretical and empirical research which was provided a study of influence of psychological and pedagogical characteristics of students as a separate socio-age group on their activity in self-education. Theoretical analysis of potential opportunities for activating students self-education due to age and social aspects of their lives are carried out. Empirical study of goals and motives, life plans, awareness of personal and professional "self-concept" of humanities students showed high interest in self-education in the vast majority of students against the background of partial formation of motivation for personal and professional self-development and generally low awareness of their own characteristics. The positive influences on the self-education of students of humanities faculties of the following psychological and pedagogical factors are revealed: conscious life creation; activity in self-development; ability of self-actualization, self-organization and self-regulation of own development; formation of a humanistic worldview. Тo enhance the self-education of students with purposeful use of this factors can affect the overall quality of future professional trainings.

Development of Socially Desirable Characteristics and Values of Students in Literature Teaching

Author(s): Nenad Stojković,Emina Kopas-Vukašinović / Language(s): English Issue: 8/2021

This paper emphasizes the effects of teaching literature in the younger grades of primary school in the context of the development of socially desirable behavior of students. The aim of this research was to determine how much literature content for children, which is the part of the curriculum for pupils attending classes from the first to the fourth grade of the elementary school, with the application of adequate teaching methods and affirmation of socially desirable values, contribute to the development and nurturing of socially desirable behaviour of students. The research can be marked as ex post facto, with the application of a descriptive method and a survey procedure. The findings of the research show that the texts of children's literature, with adequate methodical procedure during their interpretation, contribute to the development of socially desirable characteristics and values of students.

Factors Impacting the Effective Citizenship Values of Secondary School Students within the Scope of Social Studies Education

Author(s): Elif Alkar,Emin Atasoy / Language(s): English Issue: 8/2021

In this study, it was aimed to identify the factors impacting the effective citizenship values of secondary school students within the scope of social studies education. The research data were collected from 5 different secondary schools located in the province of Kocaeli in Turkey in the fall semester of 2020-2021 academic year. Participants of the study were a total of 905 students, 481 of whom were females and 424 of them were males. In this study carried out in the scanning design as a descriptive study, the effect of students’ grade level, gender, education level of their parents, monthly income of the family, frequency of following the news and being a member of a non-governmental organization on the effective citizenship values were tried to be identified. The study is the first international research to determine the effective citizenship value levels of Secondary School students within the scope of social studies education.

Innovative Teachers, Who Are You? Innovative Teacher Analysis in the Light of the Model of the ‘Big Five’ Personality Traits

Author(s): Rina Cohen / Language(s): English Issue: 8/2021

In the 21st century, reality, characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, together termed VUCA, change constantly occurs throughout social, technological, economic, environmental, educational, and political (STEEEP model) aspects of society. Therefore, education systems need to adopt innovative approaches to adapt to the frequently changing world. In this study, educational and pedagogical innovation is regarded as including whatever constitutes a change in all areas to which education relates. As teachers are one of the most crucial factors in influencing students’ academic success, and as they must rapidly adapt and constantly innovate to adequately prepare their students for ever-changing circumstances, it is essential to identify traits of innovative teachers. The main goal of this study is to characterize the personality traits of innovative teachers according to the Big Five Personality Traits model, referred to as the NEO-AC model, using qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings show that innovative teachers perceive themselves as first and foremost open to experiences. They are curious people with highly developed imaginations and a wide range of interests. Innovative teachers also may be unconventional, capable of putting together plans and projects from several different disciplines

Challenges in Promoting an Inclusive Educational Environment for British Children: Issues of Race, Ethnicity and Social Class

Author(s): Tú Anh Hà,Andrea Roxana Bellot / Language(s): English Issue: 26/2021

This paper reviews different factors affecting an inclusive educational environment for British children, including race, ethnicity, and social class. Research has shown that different ethnicities and races affect children’s national identification – to be British is perceived as less relevant than being English, Scottish, Welsh, or Northern Irish. In addition, children’s association of positive attributes, such as food, school clothes, or extra classes, with people from high-ranking social class also divides classroom environments in the UK. In this context, children coming from lower ranking social status can be vulnerable. This reality requires educational solutions to promote intercultural competence that would foster respect, embrace differences and cultural diversity, and create an inclusive educational environment for British school children.

Начало на българското девическо образование в Македония до 1878 г.

Author(s): Elena Aleksandrova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 3/2021

The study focuses on the development of the Bulgarian girls’ education in the historical-geographical region of Macedonia during the Revival, as an important stage in the emancipation of the female sex. It can be noted that the first girls’ schools in the district had a short life due to a number of difficulties in their functioning. It should not be forgotten that in the ethnically diverse Macedonian provinces of the Ottoman Empire, their opening was more an expression of local patriotism and an attempt to overcome Greek influence in cities with a rather mixed population. From the second half of the 19th century Bulgarian girls’ schools were organized in the larger cities largely thanks to the tireless work of the teachers from Sopot Nedelya Petkova and her daughter Stanislava Karaivanova. Although timid at this early stage, the issue of girls’ education involved many women and raised the issue of the women’s movement among Bulgarians in Macedonia.

Защо студентите не учат, а работодателите не дават високи заплати?

Author(s): Georgi Kiranchev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 6/2021

The article examines the behavior of students and employers as abimatrix game. With the tools of game theory, it is generally proven that the optimal strategy for employers is to pay low wages, and for students – not to study or to study too little. These two strategies form the Nash’s equilibrium in pure strategies. No specific numbers were used in the evidence, but only plausible assumptions about the relationships between the used parameters. This generalizes the conclusions made in the general case of higher education. Such a study of the question using game theory has not been done yet.

Дистанционното обучение в CУ „Иван Вазов“ в Стара Загора през учебната 2019/2020 г.

Author(s): Toni Chehlarova,Neda Chehlarova,Dinko Tsvyatkov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 6/2021

The results of a survey are presented in order to support the management of the leadership of “Ivan Vazov” Secondary School in Stara Zagora to create conditions for distance learning. The results are analyzed from surveys to determine the degree of satisfaction and fatigue of teachers, students and parents associated with this school, from distance learning in the school year 2019/2020.Distance learning was introduced on March 16, 2020 by the Ministry of Education in connection with the emergency situation, announced by a decision of the National Assembly of Bulgaria and related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

KiVa: финландската алтернатива срещу училищната агресия у нас

Author(s): Iveta Yakova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 6/2021

The writing of this article was provoked by another case of aggression against a teacher in a Bulgarian school. For the purposes of the analysis, a “case study” method was used to “dissect” the school situation that took place. The latter facilitates the derivation of the specific factors for the registered event. Through the code of linguistic communication, inductive generalizations stood out, which were related to deductive ones, generated by secondary analysis of data from the sociological research conducted in our country. The considered situation focuses on the Finnish school bullying intervention program KiVa, developed by the University of Turku, understood as an alternative to reducing school aggression and victimization. Besides, it also builds a safe and secure school environment.

Bulgarian Parents’ Attitudes to Literacy Activities Through Digital Devices and Relevant Sociodemographic Factors at The Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author(s): Katerina Shtereva,Sonya Karabeliova / Language(s): English Issue: 6/2021

This study aims to establish correlations between the use of digital devices for literacy activities and the demographic and socio-cultural characteristics of parents, children and the family during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria. Thе study includes parents of 172 children aged 2 to 8 who completed online questionnaires related to home learning activities and the use of digital devices by families and children. The findings show that parents have a positive attitude towards engaging in literacy and reading activities through digital devices with their children, but do not support the excessive use of digital devices by children. We found that older children, girls, and children who use digital devices to communicate with family members and friends are more likely to engage in literacy activities through digital devices. Our findings corroborate other recent studies in underscoring the importance of partnership between children and their parents for children's development in today's environment.

Равнище на формираност на ключовата компетентност „Общуване на роден език“ на учениците в начална училищна възраст според техните учители и родители в сравнителен план

Author(s): Teodora Valeva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 6/2021

The article presents a comparative analysis of the results of a survey with teachers and parents of students in the primary school. The aim is to establish the level of formation of key competence: communication in native language.

Мутации и варианти на коронавируса SARS-CoV-2, причинител на COVID-19

Author(s): Luchezar Karagyozov / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 6/2021

In 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus caused a pandemic with severe consequences for many countries. The life cycle of the virus is briefly described. It is noted that the multiplication of viral genetic material is accompanied by the emergence of mutations, which leads to the emergence of new viral variants. Viral variants may differ in their effectiveness in infecting, spreading, in the severity of the disease they cause, and in their ability to escape acquired immunity. The most important SARS-CoV-2 variants that have emerged so far are discussed. The need for global monitoring of the emergence of new variants and rapid and mass vaccination to tackle the pandemic is emphasized.

Book review

Author(s): Salvatore Attardo / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2021