Journals of Rezekne Academy of Technologies
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THE IMPERATIVE OF REFORMS IN TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGES TO ADULTS: A METHODOLOGICAL NECESSITY AND SOCIAL TREND
Get PDFThis article studies the imperative of reforms in teaching foreign languages to adults both from the social point of view and methodological needs of the particular process of foreign language teaching for representatives of a special age group. The starting point of the article is the authors` own experimental research in the form of a questionnaire, which, as the target audience, conducted a survey of people aged 45+ studying at or graduated from foreign language courses as a part of integration programs (the survey was conducted among relocants from Ukraine after February 24, 2022) finding out what factors contributed / did not contribute to their success and psychological comfort in language learning. The second part of the study presents the results of a survey of teachers who work in foreign language courses attached to higher educational institutions of Ukraine and presents their point of view on the difficulties of teaching in mixed age groups and in groups dominated by people over 40 years. The purpose of the article is to show that in order to fulfill the social tasks that modern society places on the study of foreign languages by older people, changes in methodological approaches to the stated process are necessary.
CULTURAL LITERACY IN EDUCATION AND SOCIOCULTURAL ENVIRONMENT THE HISTORICAL PERIODS OF THE FOUNDING AND RENEWAL OF THE STATE OF LATVIA
Get PDFThe world’s geopolitical conflicts and ideological pluralism of society raise the importance of cultural literacy development in the micro and macro relations of different nations. After the Second World War, nations formed the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisations (UNESCO), to learn peaceful coexistence based on cultural values. Latvia as a UNESCO Member State since 1991, together with 25 European Union countries, developed a handbook on cultural awareness and expression in 2016, and in 2023 – a material for promoting cultural literacy among young people. Latvians’ love for their nation, language, and cultural heritage helped found their own country, Latvia, in 1918 and later, in 1991, to restore it, preserving its freedom to this day. In both historical periods and now, there have been minorities in Latvia. From 2023 onwards, education for them will be exclusively in Latvian. Therefore, in education and the socio-cultural environment, cultural literacy should be developed through the preservation of historical memory, patriotic education. The aim of the theoretical research is to find out the genesis of the concept of cultural literacy in relation to education in the socio-cultural environment of the founding-restoration period of the Latvian state. Using a quantitative method of systemic literature analysis; in the stage of qualitative analysis of historical documents, periodical content analysis, and data interpretation, it was concluded that the concept of cultural literacy in the educational content of the sociocultural environment of 1918-1940 can be seen in the United, Neighbourhood, Homeland, and Nationality teachings, but after 1991. - in the Latvian Folk Life Curriculum for Educators, in 1995, the program of the Latvian Latvian folklore education in the principle of educational methodology, 1995 in the Cultural Policy Guidelines - Chapter IV on General Education
INDIVIDUAL LEARNING PLAN OF A SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT: THE BASIS FOR DESIGNING PROFILED EDUCATION AND A CONSCIOUS CHOICE OF PROFESSION
Get PDFIn the 21st century, the search for a new educational paradigm is characteristic of all countries of the European Union. The predominance of the traditional information approach, which is mainly focused on the transfer of knowledge to learners, creates a passive person (Thoresen, 2007). Profiled education represents a new model of the system of education with a student as a subject of the educational process in its center. Within this model, the educational process is organized in accordance with learner’s interests, abilities, and capabilities, i.e., it has a natural character. The key quality of a student within profiled education is his/her subjectness. This quality is formed under the conditions of student’s active, conscious position in the educational process (Čehlovs, 2011). An individual learning plan developed by the student together with the teacher becomes the basis for designing profiled education, which contributes to a conscious choice of profession. The subject of research is the individual learning plan of a senior secondary school student as the basis for designing the content of profiled education and for the conscious choice of profession. The aim of the study is to consider the structure of student’s individual learning plan and to determine its role in the design of profiled education and in the choice of profession. The research methods include theoretical analysis, observation, and survey. As a result of the research, the structure and content of the individual learning plan of a senior secondary school student were determined, and the analysis of the role of the individual learning plan in the design of profiled education and in the conscious choice of profession was carried out
PEDAGOGICAL SKILL OF A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER
Get PDFThe scientific and pedagogical activity of a high school teacher is multifaceted, it covers purely teaching activities, scientific research, scientific and methodological work, educational and organizational influence on student youth, self-education. In each of the areas of activity, either the nominal attitude of the teacher to it, or his desire to carry out work at a high level, is manifested. These high requirements for one\u27s own activities, critical thinking, creativity distinguish a teacher with a high level of pedagogical Skill. The relevance of this topic is due to the need to improve pedagogical skills as a component of pedagogical activity, a high degree, perfection and criticality in the activities of a higher school teacher, to determine the skill of a higher school teacher in professional activities, the ability to evaluate and accordingly use knowledge and skills in modern pedagogical situations. The purpose of the study is to reveal the influence of higher education on the formation of pedagogical skills of a teacher. Higher education at the present stage of development of society is called upon to give priority to the formation of students\u27 pedagogical skills as a complex of properties of the teacher\u27s personality, which ensures a high level of self-organization of pedagogical activity; to acquaint with the mechanisms of creative self-realization in professional activity; organize professional and pedagogical activities as a developmental and educational interaction; acquaint with modern pedagogical experience by creating a teacher\u27s portfolio. The methodological basis of the study is the theoretical statements and conclusions of the achievements of the world pedagogical thought, modern concepts and laws of the education system in higher education institutions
PHYSICAL EDUCATION OF UKRAINIAN SCHOOLCHILDREN DURING DISTANCE LEARNING
Get PDFThe article addresses the challenges associated with fostering the physical development of Ukrainian schoolchildren connected with distance learning in physical education. The primary conditions for adopting distance learning stemmed from the Covid-19 pandemic and now confronts military aggression from Russia. The goal: to track the progress of 7th-grade students\u27 physical development through remote physical education learning programme. Research methods: theoretical analysis, literature review, pupil questionnaire, pedagogical experiments, and statistical analysis. Surveying 126 7th-grade pupils (60 boys and 66 girls) revealed a prevailing preference for traditional face-to-face physical education classes. Only 11.11% of pupils considered distance learning to replicate a well-structured physical education session. Results showed that 84.12% believed remote lessons influenced their motor activity, physical fitness, and interest in exercises, 57.15% reported decreased personal motor activity, 42.85% felt their physical fitness remained unchanged. The methods employed by teachers during distance learning included fitness programmes (58.73%), general developmental exercises (42.86%), and strength exercises (36.51%). Approximately 22.22% of pupils indicated a tendency to disengage from distance lessons. The authors’ remote physical education learning programme proved effective fitness indicators among the experimental group (EG) pupils compared to the control group (CG). Statistically significant differences were established across multiple physical fitness indicators for 7th-grade EG schoolchildren
WHAT DO NATIONAL TESTS SHOW ABOUT STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE AT THE END OF PRIMARY SCHOOL IN DIFFERENT MUNICIPALITIES?
Get PDFOne of the key principles of education policy is equal opportunities for children to access quality education. This principle applies not only to the allocation of resources but also to the equality of educational outcomes at both the individual and social group levels. This study analyses students’ (15–16 years old) performance in the national examinations (centralised examinations of school year 2022/2023) in Latvian, mathematics, and the first foreign language (English) at the end of compulsory education in the context of different municipalities. Students’ performance was analysed within 43 municipalities using classical test theory and test-response theory (Rasch model). In most municipalities, students’ performance on the national test in mathematics, Latvian language and the first foreign language (English) is in line with average performance. The results of the national examinations show a geographical correlation in the distribution of students’ performance between municipalities. High performance is mainly found in some municipalities of the Baltic Sea Region, and in mathematics, also in Riga. No geographical correlation was found in the municipalities with low performance in mathematics, while low performance in Latvian and English was found in several municipalities in the Latgale region. The comparison of the performance of educational institutions in the national examination shows that there are significant differences not only between municipalities but also between educational institutions within the same municipality. The analysis of the results indicates significant risks of unequal opportunities for access to quality education. This is particularly the case in the country\u27s largest cities: Riga, Daugavpils, and Jelgava.
THE ROLE OF THE SOCIAL WORKER IN DEVELOPING CHILDREN\u27S INDEPENDENCE IN COMMUNITY CARE HOMES
Get PDFThis article analyzes the role of social workers in developing children\u27s independence in community care homes. The primary goal of a social worker\u27s activity is to provide a suitable service and teach the recipients of their services to solve problems on their own. The children\u27s opportunity to see and grow up in a close family environment depends on the employees\u27 value orientation and worldview. During the deinstitutionalization processes in Lithuania, social workers had to create an environment close to the family and consolidate the family model in communal children\u27s care homes. This article aims to examine how the training and competencies of social workers impact the preparation of children for independent living in society. Applied research methods are analysis of scientific literature and documents, expert interviews, analysis, and interpretation of research results. The review of the scientific literature, presented in the article and the research data, can be applied to improve community care homes providing social services to highlight the role of social workers in creating a safe environment for the child, involving the child in the planning and organization of activities, fostering self-confidence and their abilities
ADULT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SEDENTARY BEHAVIOUR AND SLEEP QUALITY IN THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ERA
Get PDFThe digital transformation era increases population health risks associated with lack of exercise, as well as emphasizes the role of an active lifestyle within sustainable socio-economic development. Digitalization is one of the main reasons for setting significant public health priorities: poor or insufficient sleep and physical inactivity. The aim of the research was to study the physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB) and sleep duration of the population measured by a tri-axial accelerometer. Methods: The study is based on the project “EUPASMOS”, where PA, SB, and sleep-time of the participants (n = 369) was measured 24/7 by a tri-axial accelerometer (UKK RM42, UKK Terveyspalvelut Oy, Tampere, Finland) for a week-long period. The participants mostly spent their waking hours in a sedentary state. The mean duration of sedentary behaviour was 7h 52min. The participants took an average of 9584 steps a day. They also engaged in light PA for 4h 15min, and moderate-to-vigorous PA for 1h 16min. The mean duration of sleep was 5h 46min. The results showed that the insufficient sleep and physical inactivity of the participants are serious health risks in the digital transformation era. Future research should focus on the effect that various components of physical activity (dose, mode, timing) have on sleep.
THE EFFECT OF ULTRASONIC DIFFUSER ON INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Get PDFThe usage of ultrasonic diffusers in indoors has raised concerns regarding their potential health effects, mostly due to the lack of research on the matter. This study’s aim was to analyse the effect of distilled water, tap water, and tap water with essential oils droplets from an ultrasonic diffuser on the number of particle matter and microbiological contamination in indoor air under laboratory conditions during summer and winter seasons. The most common species throughout all experiments were the Gram+ Aerococcus viridans and Micrococcus luteus, accounting for 21.33% (93 CFU/m3) and 13.76% (60 CFU/m 3) of the total bacteria count. Four different fungal species were identified over both seasons, moulds were more common making up 81.25% (65 CFU/m 3). It was noted that the microorganisms identified were not pathogenic, presenting no significant infection risk from the diffuser\u27s use. Experiments involving the use of an ultrasonic diffuser with DW demonstrated that PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 levels can be maintained within acceptable ranges over a 4-hour period. However, these experiments also highlighted an increase in nanoparticle concentrations, for which current guidelines lack specific recommendations. The diffuser was cleaned before every experimental setup stage, avoiding any residual contamination.
EMPOWERING PSYCHOLOGICALLY TRAUMATISED CHILDREN AT SCHOOL: THE EXPERIENCE OF SOCIAL PEDAGOGUES
Get PDFThe aim of the study is to reveal the experience of social pedagogues in empowering psychologically traumatised children at school. Qualitative research was chosen for the study by using the method of semi-structured interview. 10 social pedagogues, who work in school in different Lithuanian regions, participated in the study. The study revealed the experience of social pedagogues in empowering traumatised children in school. The study highlighted that in empowering children who have experienced psychological trauma, it is first of all important for the social pedagogue to show the child individual care and provide him with the necessary support. Ensuring that the child receives emotional support and counselling, if necessary using the services of a psychotherapist or psychologist. It is also important to work with the child\u27s family to understand the family\u27s needs and capacity to provide the necessary support. Provide the family with practical help and advice on how to cope with the child\u27s trauma and stress. In order to empower children, it is important to allow them to participate in decision-making because then children will feel in control of their own lives. Empowering psychologically traumatised children requires providing them with a safe and stable environment where they can feel calm and have their needs met. It is equally important that traumatised children become involved in classroom activities or social groups at school, to build relationships and receive support from the school community. Social educators emphasise the importance of educational activities in the school community to help children develop their skills and talents. Long-term collaboration to empower children and their families ensures sustainable well-being of society.