Endless Energy: Portrait of an Intellectual

Author(s): Peter Roberts / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

I have known Michael Peters for more than 30 years. My first encounter with him was in the 1970s at an Auckland secondary school where I was a student and Michael was a teacher. I was not in Michael’s classes but did see him in action once or twice when he appeared in a Social Studies course taught by someone else. Those memories are hazy now but I have a clear recollection of our subsequent crossing of paths at the University of Auckland in the early 1980s. In my second year at university I enrolled in two Stage One Education courses, one of which was titled ‘An Introduction to Western Educational Thought’. Colin Lankshear and Jim Marshall were the course lecturers and Michael was my tutor. Michael was completing his PhD at the time (with Jim as his senior supervisor), and he was an enthusiastic, thought provoking tutor. He probed us to think more carefully and deeply in responding to educational questions and he played an important role, with Colin and Jim, in fostering my interest in philosophy of education. He was also willing to meet outside class times to discuss essays and other aspects of the course, for which I was most grateful. I went on to major in Education for my BA degree and Michael was involved in a number of the other courses I completed. A Masters degree in Education followed, and in 1987 I was interviewed for a Junior Lectureship at the University of Waikato, an institution located about two hours south of Auckland. I was offered the job and thereafter my contact with Michael lessened for a number of years, though we did see each other at conferences and other events from time to time.

FAMILIARIZAREA STUDENȚILOR CU JOCURILE DE REPRODUCERE A FIGURILOR-SILUETE ÎN CADRUL UNITĂȚII DE CURS „MATEMATICA DISTRACTIVĂ PENTRU PREȘCOLARI”

Author(s): Ludmila Cotos / Language(s): Romanian Publication Year: 0

This article addresses the issue of familiarizing students with the games of figure-silhouette reproduction in the course unit „Fun Mathematics‖. Mathematical amusements are presented in different types of problems, exercises, games on transformations in space, modeling, reproduction of figures-silhouettes, plastic images in certain parts

Информационни рискове в съвременната медийна екосистема

Author(s): Lilia Raycheva / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

A number of media and communication studies indicate the risks to the professional and quality functioning of the contemporary media ecosystem: pollution of the information environment; distortion of public discourse; restriction of journalistic autonomy; problematic content management; fragmentation of audiences, etc. In 2011, the Council of Europe adopted the Recommendation Towards a New Notion for the Media. It outlines the main guidelines for updating the concepts of the media ecosystem, covering the interaction between all participants and factors important for the social functioning of communications. In order to establish the effectiveness of the criteria and standards outlined in the Recommendation for the professional functioning of the modern information and communication environment, a qualitative and quantitative study was undertaken among students from FJMC at the St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University. The comparative analysis shows interesting results for the application of professional standards in journalism, as well as for the perception of content by audiences, important for overcoming the information risks in the contemporary media ecosystem.

Новото вечерно токшоу – развлечение на различни платформи

Author(s): Maya Vassileva / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The multiple digital platforms have become the new dominant form of entertainment to bring inclusive content for a multicultural audience. The article presents theoretical and empirical survey on traditional television late night talk show and web productions of the same genre and format structure how also feature original content for viewers. The new late night talk show is committed to adding real diversity in entertainment by scattering the onscreen stereotypes and rescripting the old narratives, so that young generations across nations can see themselves in short viral content forms, available via multiple avenues. The main thesis is focused on the new late night talk show productions may play a significant role in streaming into diverse entertainment future.

Развитие на медийния подкаст в България

Author(s): Stella Konstantinova Angova / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The paper analyzes the entry of media podcasts in Bulgaria as a strategy for quality journalism. The study maps the contemporary media producers of 33 podcasts. The survey with podcast authors shows practices for creating and distributing audio content, professional challenges for journalists, opportunities for monetization and acquisition of intangible assets. The main discovered problems are delay of podcast entry, lack of audience audio habits, topicality of the content, and social media strategy.

Телекомуникации и 5G мрежи в условията на световна пандемия

Author(s): Nadejda Miteva / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The coronavirus pandemic and the measures to curb it persuadеs humanity of the crucial importance of the telecommunications industry for the functioning of society. This paper examines the role of the telecommunication industry for managing and overcoming the crises in the EU countries due to the coronavirus pandemic. The authors` aim is to describe and analyze the challenges and the opportunities for the European telecommunications sector. Observation, inductive and comparative analysis are among the methods used. The main finding is that the coronavirus pandemic tests the capacity of telcos to survive in a state of emergency, but it also provides opportunities to develop their social responsibility, acquire new sources of revenues and regain better image and governmental support.

Иновации в комуникационната стратегия на брандовете

Author(s): Manuela Manliherova / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The text analyzes brands that in their communication definitely show a new style of efficiency by expanding their presence through digital platforms. All of them are a standard of creative achievements, undoubtedly recognized at the Cannes Film Festival in the last three years. In the selection of the individual cases that I present in this brief overview, I also set my own criterion, based on a simple but powerful as a means of communication phrase - open mind. Even with this attitude of opening the senses, social behavior and cultural insight dominate as leaders in the communication campaigns I am considering. In a rapidly changing world, we are seeing more and more innovative campaigns by some global brands. They show a better understanding of the social, emotional and behavioral needs of their audiences, inspiring the audience with expressive and emotionally told stories. These cultural insights are also related to a new design of attitudes, of consumer thinking.

Комуникационни практики в книгоиздаването в условията на пандемична ситуация

Author(s): Georgi Aleksandrov / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected most of the industries, including book publishing. The article examines the response of institutions, professional organizations, publishers, booksellers and authors to the unprecedented situation in the period from March to October 2020. The study aims to identify the characteristics of the communication practices in book publishing and to propose their typological differentiation. The research focuses on Bulgaria but includes relevant examples from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Three levels of communication practices are defined: institutional, corporate, and individual. Applying the methods of content-analysis, comparative analysis, and discursive analysis, the research identifies two communications approaches- active and passive, and two types of communicated messages - positive and negative. The article includes observations on the differences in the communication practices in Bulgaria and the selected foreign countries.

Медийната грамотност на учениците от горен курс: четене в интернет на поредица от текстове по един и същ проблем

Author(s): Neli Ilieva / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

This report presents a part of a larger experiment, during which students read five media texts on the same topic and answer questions based on them. The end goals of the experiment, as well as the methodology and the results are presented. The analysis shows that students from the upper classes of high school do not have experience with reading media texts from different online sources. In so far as reading and understanding media writing is part of functional literacy, the results of this questionnaire are a rather troubling sign of gaps within students‘ knowledge, which can only be made up for by systematic and focused efforts on the part of educational institutions.

Младежкото доброволчество като конкурентен фактор за висшите училища

Author(s): Violeta Toncheva-Zlatkova / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

This report highlights the significance and the role of the volunteering and youth activity, a review is conducted on the ideas regarding national policies for young people and their implementation, an observation is made concerning the regulatory and institutional framework governing the issues pertaining to participation of the young people and youth volunteering. The definitions and trends in the volunteering development are discussed, the author explains the advantages and challenges for the participants at an institutional level – students on the one side, and the universities – on the other. A snapshot of the existing student clubs in select Bulgarian universities is offered with their main characteristics presented. Steps which must be undertaken by the higher education institutions to promote youth volunteering are proposed in order to build up a specific culture and to visualize and promote volunteering activities. Author suggests examples of possible solutions and proposals for the implementation of a focused university policy and the establishment of a strategic program to support volunteers in the context of the European Education Area formation.

Use of Chess Playing in International Logistics Training

Author(s): Georgi Chankov / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The aim of the article is to justify the use of extraordinary game methods like chess in logistics training. The methodology of this approach is based on the historical experience - game methods are common in the ancient practice. Today, the potential of these methods is very high, incl. thanks to new technologies that enable fast connection and reliable simulation of case studies. By accurately reflecting life and, in particular, rivalry, chess is the game that offers the largest range of possibilities. His connection to military affairs makes him extremely suitable for training in international logistics, whose relationship with military affairs is indisputable. A number of examples from history show the importance of logistics in military campaigns. Key points in chess accurately reflect the importance of logistical factors for success. The complex rivalry of today to master key points in order to control important trade routes and supply lines can be successfully simulated with chess models. Especially the Three-player chess reflects best today’s reality – the rivalry between major players in a multipolar world. Hence the use of chess playing in international logistics training could be very useful. This conclusion is presented for the first time in Bulgaria.

SCHOOL DROPOUT IN VASLUI COUNTY – CAUSES, RISK SITUATIONS

Author(s): Sorin Mirel Ciolca / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Our country is facing serious problems related to school dropout and social exclusion, especially in rural areas. In some Romanian counties, these aspects have reached a worrying level, being necessary to take urgent measures, carry out useful activities and develop an action plan for social and educational integration. Vaslui is a disadvantaged county mainly in rural areas, where school dropout, difficulty in accessing education and social exclusion are alarming, being a case of extreme poverty, in last place in the European Union. What are the determining causes of this reality and the risk situations faced by people in this county? are essential questions of this research. Poverty, lack of jobs and ensuring a decent family living determine massive departures to work abroad, which negatively influences the education of children, who do not attend mandatory courses to complete eight grades. Due to real causes, these children are guided towards other existential priorities that contribute to dropping out of school for household activities, marriage at the age of 13-14, going abroad to their parents, etc. This ascertaining research was carried out over 6 months and used documentation, survey (conversation), statistical and mathematical and graphical methods. The research included a significant number of middle-school students (grades 5-8) from urban and rural areas in Vaslui County. The research highlights the reality of school dropout in a poor area of our country, delimiting its causes and risk situations in order to find out viable solutions to reduce in the future this extremely important social phenomenon."

ROMANIAN MEN’S HANDBALL VS. THE TOP OF EUROPE MEN’S HANDBALL

Author(s): Vladi IONESCU,Silvia Teodorescu,Cezar Hantău / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

This scientific paper proposes a detailed game analysis of the Romanian men’s handball team in the European competitions, given that since 1996 it has failed to qualify for any European Championship. As well, since 1995, with the exception of the years 2009 and 2011, it has managed to qualify for no World Championship and, since 1992, it has not qualified for any edition of the Olympic Games. Even if it succeeded to participate in some international competitions, most of the time, Romanian players had a middling performance, being far from the European or world podiums. We have started from the theory that improving team performance involves a deep analysis of the game strategy, the efficiency of technical and tactical combinations used in attack and defence (permanently related to the opposing team’s game), and last but not least, each athlete’s performance in the competitive game’s economy. So, we carried out an analysis of the Romanian men’s handball team results within the qualification games for the European Handball Championship 2022, which were played in 2019. We also studied the matches of the teams participating in the 2020 European Handball Championship that played for the 1-12 ranking in Europe. The technical and tactical aspects recorded in each match of each studied team (Romania, Spain, Croatia, Norway, Slovenia, Germany, Portugal, Hungary, Sweden, Iceland, Austria, Belarus, Czech Republic) allowed us to identify the causes, limits and disadvantages of the tactical strategy of our national team."

PERSONAL CONTRIBUTIONS REGARDING SELECTION, IDENTIFICATION AND PROMOTION OF TALENTS IN FOOTBALL

Author(s): Arben KAÇURRI,Irakli QURKU / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The term “selection” has provoked disputes among various people, some of whom, for institutional reasons, defending the cause of a sport that enjoys great popularity and aims to attract all possible talents on the football field. From our point of view, football selection is not a unique, singular action. It has a lasting character and is carried out in several stages. The efficiency of the selection greatly depends on the quality of the training process and is largely conditioned by the way in which the particularities of growth and development of children and juniors are taken into account. By using the scientific selection process in football, the path to achieving remarkable (often incredible) performance becomes shorter. The selected individual undergoes a careful training process and tries to obtain maximum efficiency in the shortest time (depending on the biological potential). Also, the purpose of this paper is to improve the duration of the educational and training process, based on the improvement of the selection process correlated with the sports training stages in the football game. Selection and training have to be regarded according to the following training-type models: children, juniors III, juniors II, juniors I, which must take into account the criteria: health status, social condition, physical ability, body size, general motor skills, favourable motor skills, psychological ability, technical and tactical training, and game testing. We believe that, by contributing to the knowledge of the above-mentioned particularities, this paper eliminates the possibility of methodological errors that can have irreversible negative consequences."

STUDY ON THE LEVEL OF SELF-ESTEEM IN VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS

Author(s): Valentin Claudiu Luca,Liliana Mihăilescu / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The purpose of the research was to investigate the level of self-esteem in visually impaired children in order to determine, together with investigations on other levels (health, psychomotor ability, physical development), the level of their quality of life compared to children of the same age without impairments. The self-esteem level was investigated using the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory on a sample of 30 participants from the Special Secondary School for Visually Impaired Students in Bucharest, with an average age of 11 years. The applied test represents a modern psychometric instrument, which has been validated in a variety of research programmes. It helps to better understand the students evaluated regarding their self-esteem by measuring the evaluative attitudes of the self in various planes of their existence. The standard form for students contains five subscales: general perception of self, social self-peers, home-parents, school-academic experience and distortion scale. Following the application of the test, it has been noted that the level of self-esteem of the visually impaired is higher, on average, than that of the average population of Romanian students without visual impairments. Considering the results, some decisions will be made regarding the approach to teaching dancesport to the visually impaired and, at the same time, we will be able to observe how practising this sport can influence the evolution of self-esteem in the visually impaired, as an element of their quality of life."

IMPROVING SPORTS PERFORMANCE IN BREASTSTROKE SWIMMING THROUGH THE MEANS OF FITNESS

Author(s): Narcis Neagu,Nicoleta Leonte,Ofelia Popescu,Iancu Răchita / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

SMALL-SIDED GAMES AS MEANS OF TECHNICAL-TACTICAL PREPARATION AND EVALUATION FOR JUNIOR HANDBALL PLAYERS

Author(s): Cristina Romila,Silvia Teodorescu / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Tactical training is a component of sports training through which technical procedures are highlighted and learned, and their level of improvement is observed during the game. The purpose of the research is to develop and implement a training model for the tactical training of junior III based on small-sided games with variable dimensions of the field using information from the analysis of the tactical content of official games. As a result, in the tactical training of juniors, we implemented means of training and tests organized in the form of training games where we followed the individual and collective tactical actions of the players. The games had different themes and were organized with small numbers of players: 2 against 2, 3 against 3, 4 against 4, 2 against 2 against 2, 3 against 3 against 3, and 4 against 4 against, on playing areas of different sizes. The indicators monitored during tests were also recorded during official matches. The research subjects are the female players of the Junior III women’s team born in 2005 and younger from the ACS Sporting Ghimbav, participants in the National Junior III Championship in the 2019-2020 competitive year. The conclusions of the study provided useful information during the training process.

DANGEROUS SPORTS IN PANDEMIC TIMES. ANALISYS FOR CHILDREN’S PUBLIC SPORT UNITS OF ROMANIA

Author(s): Andrei SIMION,Doina Croitoru / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

In our study, we categorised sports for which there are public sports clubs for children organized in Romania – School Sports Clubs and Classrooms with Sports Programme. These are financed from the state budget and local public administration. Training grounds, auxiliary spaces, materials, and facilities widely differ. With this in mind, we have only considered the dressing room as an interaction space between athletes. We consider that training and competition interactions are different, but in most sports, there is a risk to facilitate virus transmission – including SARS-CoV-2. The list of the 41 sports practised in children’s public sports clubs was compiled. Private clubs were not included in the analysis, even though they had the same risk regarding virus transmission. For each sport, we considered the following dyadic interactions: athlete-athlete and athlete-coach, in both training and competitions, according to the rules of each sport. We also added the interactions between athletes in the dressing rooms and between athletes and match/competition officials (judge, referee etc.). Each interaction was subjectively graded with a number from 1 to 5: 1 = low interaction, at least 5 m distance; 5 = very close interaction, less than 1 m distance. The analysis showed that considering the current COVID-19 pandemic, organized sport is most of the time a dangerous environment for athletes, coaches, and officials, the most dangerous being the team sports. We believe that the current study might be of use in deciding which sports would be safer to “reopen” in the future.

STUDY ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE ROMANIAN WOMEN’S EPEE TEAM AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Author(s): Amalia Alexandra TĂTĂRAN,Silvia Teodorescu,Gabriela DINȚICĂ / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

This study refers to the evolution of the Romanian Women’s Epee Team at the Olympic Games in terms of performance, but especially from the perspective of making up the team and establishing the strategy for addressing each goal-focused competition. The literature review reveals that one of the ways to increase both the quality of the training process in fencing and the success rate in team events lies in the team composition, but also in establishing the sequence of athletes competing in a match. Research purpose: The study aims to highlight the dynamics of the Romanian Women’s Epee Team through both a detailed analysis of the results achieved by athletes in their fight against various opponents and their comparison at different times of the matches. Methods: Bibliographic study, comparison, abstraction, induction and deduction methods, video analysis, mathematical and statistical methods. Results and conclusion: The sequence of athletes’ performance in team competitions and their effectiveness depending on the number of won/lost bouts, but also successful hits and recovery times were analysed based on the competition protocols for the Rio de Janeiro and London Olympics, and the performance of the Romanian Women’s Epee Team was compared with the performance achieved by other competing teams. The study has shown that, in today’s modern fencing (particularly the Epee), one of the most important factors for achieving performance in the team event refers to making up the team so that it can work as a whole in relation to the opposing team’s composition.

GAME ACTION EFFICIENCY ON VOLLEYBALL GAME STRUCTURES ACCORDING TO THE OPPONENTS’ LEVEL

Author(s): Nicolae-Lucian VOINEA,Gloria RAȚĂ,Alexandru-Rareş Puni / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Performance volleyball is composed of two fundamental game structures, namely: structure I (at own service), which includes as game actions the service, block, dig, pass and attack, and structure II (at service reception), which is made up of game actions from service, pass, attack, block and dig. This study highlights the differences between the efficiency indices of game actions on game structures at the Știința Bacău team depending on the opponents’ level. This is based on analysing the performance of the teams during the Romanian National Women’s Volleyball Championship, 1st Division, which consisted of 18 games, out of which 10 games with level 1 teams and 8 games with level 2 teams. The research hypothesis aimed at verifying the dependence of the efficiency indices of game actions on game structures according to the opponents’ level. The subjects of this study were the players of the Știința Bacău team in the 2017-2018 season. As a result of this study, we have found that there are statistically significant differences between the efficiency indices of game actions on game structures according to the opponents’ level for service (p = 0.047) and dig (p = 0.006) in structure I and for attack (p = 0.015) in structure II, which confirms the hypothesis of our research.