Journals of Rezekne Academy of Technologies
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ENERGY EFFICIENCY AUDIT COSTS AND FINANCIAL BENEFITS
Get PDFEnvironmental problems, such as environmental pollution, waste management, air quality problems, the extraction and regeneration of natural resources and others, have been among the top issues in European countries for decades. Policies, laws, projects, and plans are being developed to address and improve environmental issues, but their results are not as effective as planned. In accordance with the Energy Efficiency Law (and its binding laws and regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers), large companies and large energy consumers carry out rational use and management of energy resources to promote sustainable economic development and limit climate change, implementing an Energy Management System in a company (according to the ISO 50001 standard), an Environmental Management System (according to ISO 14001, which also includes an energy management system) or performing an Energy Audit. In recent years, more and more companies are choosing to carry out energy audits, as this provides them with additional information and insights from third parties on their energy consumption and possible improvements. However, it is necessary to evaluate the costs and the benefits of energy audits
LATVIA’S POSSIBILITIES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY AFTER 2023
Get PDFThe Common agricultural policy applies to all countries of the European Union. Its mission is to support farmers and improve agricultural productivity, ensure a quality food supply, enable European Union farmers to earn a decent living, prevent climate change and manage natural resources sustainably, preserve the countryside and landscape, keep the rural economy alive, promote agricultural work, create value-added products. The geopolitical situation, climate change, energy shortages, rising prices make us think about how to provide farmers with the necessary means of production and the population with food, prevent climate change and address the Common Agricultural Policy in the next programming period from 2023 to 2027
MOTIVATIONAL COMPONENT OF PEDAGOGICAL SKILLS’ DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE TEACHERS OF LABOR EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGIES
Get PDFRelevance. The future teachers’ motivation problem and value orientations as basic characteristics of readiness for the pedagogical skills development is one of the key issues in the conditions of professional training in higher education institutions.Objective: The article\u27s aim is to substantiate in a theoretical way and experimental investigation the reasons, to disclose the set of values orientation of future teachers of labour education and technologies as development factors of their pedagogical skills.Methods: theoretical: analysis of current psychological and pedagogical research on the development difficulties of pedagogical skills; generalization and systematization of approaches to the study of personal motivation and values; empiric: questionnaire according to the M. Rokych’s method "Value Orientations", correlation of ranking results with A. Maslow\u27s pyramid of values and needs; methods of mathematical statistics.Results: Results: The essence of the "pedagogical skills" concept has been clarified. Based on the analysis of academic sources, the content of such categories as motives, motivation, values, and value orientations has been specified. The research method of the features of the motivational and value sphere for future teachers of labour education and technologies have been described. A qualitative and quantitative analysis of the distribution of value orientations of future teachers of labour education and technologies have been represented.Conclusions: Founded on the study results, the priority groups of motives and values that are leading for those seeking education at this day stage of social evolution are identified, that is safety and comfort, health, interesting work, freedom and independence, productive life, development, and communication.
DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTER-BASED DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT SYSTEM: CASE STUDY OF EQUIVALENCE OF PAPER-AND-PENCIL AND COMPUTER-BASED TESTING
Get PDFIn the last two decades computer-based assessment has become an important part in support of teaching and learning. It is seen as a solution to implement assessment for learning in school and provide immediate feedback on students’ performance in real-time. Research literature on computer-based assessment suggests that every measurement instrument developer before implementation of a test has to provide evidence that computer-based and paper-based versions are equivalent and provide consistent measures. There is a risk that properties of computer-based assessment including unfamiliarity with the system and proficiency level of digital skills can seriously affect students’ performance. This paper focuses on computer-based diagnostic assessment system designed to support numeracy and literacy teaching and learning. The aim of this study is to confirm that literacy and numeracy learning measurement instruments elaborated in diagnostic assessment system provide consistent results as paper-based versions of both instruments. Data were collected administering four tests. Two of the assessments were computer-based literacy and numeracy diagnostic assessments and two were paper-based versions. By analyzing both versions of assessments using various statistical techniques we explore differences in students’ performance. Our results showed that at this development phase of the computer-based diagnostic assessment system the students who completed computer-based test versions showed similar or better performance than their counterparts who completed paper-based versions
PERSPECTIVES ON MUSIC EDUCATION IN ESTONIAN SCHOOLS
Get PDFThe content of education at schools meeting the demand for culturally, socially and politically relevant knowledge, skills and competencies for a particular society has remained an issue of debate in all times. Estonia started development of a new national curriculum (NC) in 2020/2021 and both – the content of learning as well as its organization from kindergartens up to the end of gymnasia became a serious issue. The main topic for debates were the proportions of compulsory and optional subjects, especially at the final level (grades 10–12). Music and other art subjects must prove their positions during recent pandemia and military conflicts. The aim of the study is to map expectations of different target groups concerning the future of music education creating the basis for development of music culture in society.The students (n=203) were asked to write essays, analyzing why learning music at high school level is meaningful or not for their personal development. The people responsible for pan-Estonia cultural organizations were interviewed (n=10) and the data were analyzed qualitatively. The results of the study can be used for development of music syllabi in NC of all levels of general education under the present conditions and for teacher training.
THE INFLUENCE OF CHURCHES OF THE CITIZENSHIP CATHOLIC PARISHES ON THE LAYOUT AND URBAN SPACE OF MEDIEVAL TOWNS IN THE 13TH AND 14TH CENTURIES
Get PDFOne of the most important types of cult buildings in medieval cities were churches for the citizenship Catholic parishes, which began to be built in Italy. In the 12th and 13th centuries on lands of the Baltic Seacoast, the construction of cult buildings expanded with the spread of the Catholic Faith, influencing the spatial organization of the urban environment, and developing church types. Churches for the citizenship Catholic parishes became architectural dominates in cities of the Hanseatic League. Research problem: the development of the planning and structure of churches for the citizenship Catholic parishes changed urban aesthetics; it is necessary to study churches for the citizenship Catholic parishes and layouts of medieval towns organized around the market to preserve historical identity during the development of the contemporary urban environment. Research goal: analysis of the impact of churches for the citizenship Catholic parishes on the layout, visual image and architecturally spatial development of the Hanseatic League cities. Research novelty: analysis of common and local features of churches for the citizenship Catholic parishes and their layout, as well as structural evolution in the Hanseatic League cities during the 13th–14th centuries. Research methods: analysis of archive documents, projects, cartographic materials and studies of published literature, an inspection of churches in nature, and photo fixation.
RECOGNISING EMOTIONAL ABUSE AND MOBBING IN ADOLESCENTS: CAUSES AND IMPACTS
Get PDFEmotional abuse can cause severe effects on person`s emotional development, e.g., sense of worthlessness, wearing away confidence and self-esteem, anxiety, depression, etc. Psycho-emotional wellbeing becomes essential for the adolescent to become successful at school, which can be reached through emotional support, understanding and self-discovery. Emotional abuse quite often is not recognized, because of possible judgement from family, friends, teachers and community members. Silence about emotional and physical abuse can be the result of fears and emotional abuse situations which can seem as normal for the victim. Therefore, the first step to solve mental problems is becoming aware of a problem and reducing stigma about mental health. Survey results highlight the need for parents to improve their knowledge, attitudes and skills about emotional abuse and understanding of how to communicate with their children about possible emotional abuse situations at schools. Survey results also highlight that one of the main reasons why mobbing occurs is students` attitude towards difference of others e.g. different interests, lifestyle, appearance, clothes, way of communication, sexual orientation, etc.). Using theoretical and empirical research (survey) methods, the aim of the article is: to describe forms of emotional abuse, highlighting the link between emotional abuse and physical abuse and the impact of it on the emotional well-being of adolescent at school. The authors of the article have identified the main problems faced by students, teachers and parents in cases of emotional abuse
THE CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE, BARRIERS AND BENEFITS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF READING INTEREST IN LOWER SECONDARY EDUCATION
Get PDFNowadays the importance of reading is increasing, emphasised and valued not only in the field of education, but also in the context of the development of the knowledge society. If an individual is not able to understand the meaning of a text, he is not able to analyse, critically evaluate and verify the information and facts it contains as well as to formulate own opinion. This also undermines the growth of society, because in the 21st century forming one\u27s own opinion is a prerequisite and a cornerstone for the existence of a democratic society. It must be admitted that students` interest in reading in Latvia is decreasing rapidly: only 13% of respondents aged 15-18 read a book every day or every other day. Therefore it is important not only to put emphasis on developing reading skills, but also to promote students\u27 interest in reading and individual reading behaviour. The aim of this publication is to describe the possibilities of promoting reading in lower secondary school as well as the theoretical and empirical aspects of students\u27 individual interest in reading.
CREATING A PROTOTYPE OF AN INTERACTIVE LEARNING GAME IN MOLECULAR AND CELL BIOLOGY
Get PDFAt the beginning of medical studies at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU), students’ knowledge and skills differ widely. In the first semester, students must take a course, “Molecular and Cell Biology.” In many cases, problems in students’ abilities to absorb new information of this new, specific nature are evident. The reason for this is insufficient prior preparation. On average, 3-4 % of students failed this course each academic year. After focus group discussions and interviews with colleagues and leading specialists in information technologies, we concluded the need to create an interactive and pedagogically correct tool for improving students` competence in molecular and cell biology; one such tool could be an interactive learning game. This article describes the process of creating a learning game prototype in molecular and cellular biology. With the help of selected RSU students, a prototype was created. The involvement of students proved beneficial for them (improving understanding of the topics) and for us (clarifying students’ preferences for the game’s design).The learning game was tested with a target group (1st-semester students from the Medicine and Dentistry faculties of RSU). Initial feedback from the students and teachers certifies that this example is an opportunity to provide a desired, low-stress self-paced learning resource.
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL COMPETENCE AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS: PROFESSIONAL CHALLENGES OF THE POLICE OFFICER IN A MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Get PDFIn every profession, where basic activities are carried out in direct interaction with people, often solving diverse problem situations and providing assistance to victims, cooperating with representatives of different cultures, not only professional knowledge and skills are important, but also interpersonal cooperation and emotional skills. The aforementioned raises the issue of socio-emotional competence, which directly interacts with the professional ethics of a police officer, so that it is possible to effectively perform official duties and overcome personal and professional challenges, including in the context of a multicultural society. The purpose of the article is to describe important aspects of the interaction between the socio-emotional competence and professional ethics of a police officer, providing proposals for their promotion in professional everyday life, which would allow the police officer to overcome personal and professional challenges while performing official duties in a multicultural society. The research uses the analysis of documents and scientific literature, methods of interpretation of legal norms (historical method; teleological method; grammatical method; systemic method), analyzing regulatory acts, as well as induction and deduction methods, drawing conclusions and making proposals for the improvement of regulatory acts and police service practice.