Masaryk University Journals / Časopisy Masarykovy univerzity
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Pedagogically Productive Dialogue in Teacher Learning Communities: From Concept to Measurement
No full textThere is growing scholarly consensus about the types of teacher interactions and the features of teacher dialogue that are conducive to professional learning in school-based, peer-led teacher communities of learning. However, reliable tools to assess such interactions are scarce, even though they are essential for quantitative, systematic studies on the processes, conditions, and outcomes of productive pedagogical dialogue. In the present work, we built on existing conceptual definitions in the literature, extracted key characteristics of productive pedagogical dialogue, and translated those characteristics into operational definitions. These were then tested, refined, and re-examined in an iterative process, based on 41 randomly sampled teacher workgroup transcripts from a larger, heterogeneous data set of audio-recorded meetings. The main outcome is the Collaborative Inquiry into Practice (CLIP) scheme, which comprises 13 variables, organized within three dimensions of teacher team dialogue: content-related (what teachers talk about), epistemic-structural (how they reason and talk about it), and participatory (who participates and how). The advantages of CLIP are that it is reliable, valid, and generic (i.e., it can be used in a large variety of workgroup settings). Detailed accounts of the development processes provide further insights into the challenges and opportunities of coding this type of data.There is growing scholarly consensus about the types of teacher interactions and the features of teacher dialogue that are conducive to professional learning in school-based, peer-led teacher communities of learning. However, reliable tools to assess such interactions are scarce, even though they are essential for quantitative, systematic studies on the processes, conditions, and outcomes of productive pedagogical dialogue. In the present work, we built on existing conceptual definitions in the literature, extracted key characteristics of productive pedagogical dialogue, and translated those characteristics into operational definitions. These were then tested, refined, and re-examined in an iterative process, based on 41 randomly sampled teacher workgroup transcripts from a larger, heterogeneous data set of audio-recorded meetings. The main outcome is the Collaborative Inquiry into Practice (CLIP) scheme, which comprises 13 variables, organized within three dimensions of teacher team dialogue: content-related (what teachers talk about), epistemic-structural (how they reason and talk about it), and participatory (who participates and how). The advantages of CLIP are that it is reliable, valid, and generic (i.e., it can be used in a large variety of workgroup settings). Detailed accounts of the development processes provide further insights into the challenges and opportunities of coding this type of data
School Principals Instructional Leadership and Strategies in Working with Teachers
No full textInstructional school leadership (ISL) refers to a set of roles and tasks undertaken by school principals (along with other stakeholders involved in school leadership) to enhance the teaching and learning process. This is achieved by guiding, supporting, and providing resources for teachers and students. This article presents research findings on ISL, aiming to deepen the understanding of factors that may either facilitate or hinder ISL practices, with a particular focus on the relationship between principals and teachers. The research objectives were to assess principals' perceptions of the frequency of specific ISL behaviors in Croatian schools and to explore, from their perspective, the key dimensions of ISL. Furthermore, the study examined the frequency of specific ISL strategies used with diverse groups of teachers based on their attitudes toward principals' instructional activities aimed at improving teaching. A total of 204 principals from primary and secondary schools across Croatia participated in the study. Data collection took place in June 2023 via an online survey. The research employed a survey method using two scales: the Scale for Measuring Instructional School Leadership Characteristics and the Strategies of Instructional School Leadership scale. The findings confirm that principals in Croatian primary and secondary schools frequently engage in instructional leadership activities. Notably, the most prominent dimensions of ISL align with those strongly associated with improved teaching and school achievement in related studies. A particularly encouraging finding is that principals often implement strategies aimed at empowering students in their learning. Insights from studies conducted in other national contexts highlight the importance of more frequent use of strategies focused on strengthening teacher capacities, especially those that enhance their sense of effectiveness and foster a supportive work environment. However, the results also reveal that a significant number of principals struggle to identify effective strategies for working with teachers who do not support initiatives aimed at improving teaching and learning. Whether these teachers are resistant or indifferent to such initiatives, the data suggest that the presence of such teachers in schools may be substantial (from the principals' perspective) and should not be overlooked.Instructional school leadership (ISL) refers to a set of roles and tasks undertaken by school principals (along with other stakeholders involved in school leadership) to enhance the teaching and learning process. This is achieved by guiding, supporting, and providing resources for teachers and students. This article presents research findings on ISL, aiming to deepen the understanding of factors that may either facilitate or hinder ISL practices, with a particular focus on the relationship between principals and teachers. The research objectives were to assess principals' perceptions of the frequency of specific ISL behaviors in Croatian schools and to explore, from their perspective, the key dimensions of ISL. Furthermore, the study examined the frequency of specific ISL strategies used with diverse groups of teachers based on their attitudes toward principals' instructional activities aimed at improving teaching. A total of 204 principals from primary and secondary schools across Croatia participated in the study. Data collection took place in June 2023 via an online survey. The research employed a survey method using two scales: the Scale for Measuring Instructional School Leadership Characteristics and the Strategies of Instructional School Leadership scale. The findings confirm that principals in Croatian primary and secondary schools frequently engage in instructional leadership activities. Notably, the most prominent dimensions of ISL align with those strongly associated with improved teaching and school achievement in related studies. A particularly encouraging finding is that principals often implement strategies aimed at empowering students in their learning. Insights from studies conducted in other national contexts highlight the importance of more frequent use of strategies focused on strengthening teacher capacities, especially those that enhance their sense of effectiveness and foster a supportive work environment. However, the results also reveal that a significant number of principals struggle to identify effective strategies for working with teachers who do not support initiatives aimed at improving teaching and learning. Whether these teachers are resistant or indifferent to such initiatives, the data suggest that the presence of such teachers in schools may be substantial (from the principals' perspective) and should not be overlooked
The Consequentialist Judgment Paradox
No full textIn normative ethics, some of the oldest and still lively debates revolve around the question of consequentialism. The question is not so much about making a binary decision between consequentialism and its alternatives (notably deontology). Contemporary discussions agree that consequentialism does not work alone and that only compromises between consequentialism and other views might be considered as plausible moral theories. This paper aims to present a novel argument, which encompasses a general and logical critique of any system that bases its judgments on consequences. Indeed, it seems that no matter how we try, every judgment based on the consequences of actions seems to be prone to logical contradiction. However, the argument is limited in the sense that it does not encompass the case where consequentialist theories are used by entities that are not moral agents. Indeed, if an entity judges actions while being causally separated from the world in which those actions occur, then the paradox doesn't occur. This limit doesn't make the argument irrelevant, since ethical judgments are exclusively made by moral agents themselves, like humans. Thus, the argument also favors positions that admit significant limits to the truth that we grant to moral propositions
"Stille Predigt" : das Sümeger Freskowerk als Gemeinsamwerk von Bischof und Maler
No full textThis study investigates the genesis of the fresco cycle in the Parish Church of Sümeg, with a particular focus on the collaboration between Franz Anton Maulbertsch (1724–1796) and Bishop Márton Biró Padányi (1693–1762). Author emphasizes that, instead of attempting to discern the "hands" of workshop members, the frescoes should be interpreted as a unified, conceptually well-thought-out work of art. The entire painted decoration of the church – including the ceiling paintings, altarpieces, and over thirty portraits on the organ loft – is the joint creation of the commissioning bishop and the virtuoso painter. Special attention is given to the altarpiece Adoration of the Shepherds, which features two images of Jesus. This unusual solution is interpreted not as an error, but as a theological message highlighting Christ's dual nature. An analysis of the inscriptions on the frescoes, as well as the bishop's sermons and the chronostichs found in the church, reveals that Bishop Biró shaped the church into his own "silent sermon". The community at prayer, depicted on the choir loft, including the bishop and the painter, join the heavenly liturgy as members of the "earthly church"
Military Helicopters in Czechoslovak Aeroclubs Between 1963–1974
No full textIn mid-fifties helicopters were already an indivisible part of military air forces all over the world. In terms of the Warsaw Pact the army of Soviet Union and subsequently its satellite states got the first helicopters. In 1956 Czechoslovak military air force also received the first Mil Mi-4 helicopters. Since 1959 Mi-1 light helicopters were used for pilots training, however, in early sixties there was a shortage of backup pilots within military units. The only Czechoslovak liaison helicopter regiment did not manage to train its own pilots, much less backup pilots. Therefore, unused military helicopters HC-102 were incorporated into Svazarm aero clubs (Svaz pro spolupráci s armádou - The Union for Cooperation with The Army). Flying with Mi-1 started in 1965. In course of eleven years a huge number of pilots were trained within aeroclubs, which cooperated with military air force, to join the army in case of need. In 1974 the conception of backup pilots training in aeroclubs was re-evaluated and finished. The numerous group of pilots then got occasional trainings at army till early eighties and many of the pilots were finally employed at the police, air force or in civil sector
Investigating the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationship of X and LINE use with online relationship and life satisfaction: A 4-Year cohort study among Japanese adults
No full textThe rise of social media has sparked extensive research on its relationship with well-being, yet drawing definitive conclusions remains challenging due to the multifaceted nature and diversification of these platforms. To gain a clearer understanding of this relationship, it is essential to explore how various social media platforms both cross-sectionally and longitudinally relate to well-being as well as to explore direct and indirect relationships mediated by other factors. Such investigation is lacking especially in Non-Western context. To address this gap, the author examined the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships of X (formerly Twitter) and LINE use with life satisfaction—a key indicator of well-being—both directly and indirectly through the quality of online relationships, within a 4-year cohort of 1,674 Japanese adults. Multivariate latent growth curve modeling revealed a mixed relationship between X use and life satisfaction. Direct relationships with life satisfaction were negative, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. In contrast, an indirect relationship—mediated by online relationships—was positive both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. In contrast, LINE use consistently showed positive relationships with life satisfaction, with both direct and indirect positive cross-sectional associations through online relationships. These findings underscore the growing diversity of social media platforms and the need to recognize that the relationship between social media use and life satisfaction varies depending on the platform in both Western and non-Western contexts. To support well-being, public education and digital literacy efforts should address the risks of excessive use of open-network platforms like X, while avoiding overgeneralizations to closed-network platforms like LINE, which may enhance well-being through supportive relationships
Ethical Dilemmas in the Study of Orthodoxy in Belarus: Practical Experiences from Field Research
Get PDFŠtúdium náboženských praktík často prináša etické výzvy, najmä v zložitom historicko-kultúrnom kontexte postkomunistického Bieloruska. Článok analyzuje etické dilemy vznikli počas terénneho výskumu úcty k Panne Márii a ponúka cenné poznatky pre antropológov a sociológov náboženstva. Hlavnou témou je rovnováha medzi akademickou slobodou a očakávaniami cirkevných komunít. Výskumník čelil požiadavkám pravoslávnych duchovných na ochranu povesti cirkvi, pričom sa usiloval o transparentnosť a vedeckú integritu. Diskutuje sa aj vplyv osobnej viery na objektivitu a stratégie zachovania nestrannosti. Práca zdôrazňuje metodologické a etické aspekty prístupu k náboženským komunitám, pričom čerpá zo skúseností iných výskumníkov. Ukazuje, že uvedomelá navigácia etických dilem môže znížiť riziká a zlepšiť kvalitu výskumu. Týmto článkom autor prispieva k širšej diskusii o výzvach štúdia náboženskej oddanosti v meniacom sa sociokultúrnom prostredí
Aligning Iran's Legislation with Sustainable Development Goals: A Topic Modeling Approach
Get PDFThis study examines the extent to which national legislation in Iran aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the framework of Multi-Level Governance (MLG). Employing a mixed-method computational approach—combining thematic analysis and topic modeling—the research explores the argumentative and content structures of legislative texts. Findings reveal partial alignment in areas such as education, health, and environmental protection, while significant gaps remain in community empowerment, gender equality, climate action, and participatory governance. From a policy perspective, the study highlights the need to revise legislative processes to systematically integrate SDG principles, establish mechanisms for assessing legal compatibility with SDG indicators, and build the capacity of lawmakers. It also emphasizes the importance of enhancing the participation of local institutions and civil society in the legislative process and recommends developing data-driven platforms for continuous monitoring of legal alignment with the SDGs. Theoretically, the study contributes to the application of the MLG framework in legal and development studies by offering empirical insights into the interplay between governance levels and legal systems. However, the research is limited by its exclusive focus on formal legal texts, limited interpretive depth of topic modeling, and its single-country scope. Future studies should explore comparative legal assessments, critical discourse analysis, and network-based approaches in other developing countries. Additionally, analyzing sub-national laws and their implementation could provide further insights into the challenges and opportunities of SDG localization
Conference: Velvet Ideas of November 1989 in the Mirror of Changes in Czech Society
Get PDFOn the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, the Department of History organized the conference Velvet Ideas of November 1989 in the Mirror of Changes in Czech Society. In its content and character, the conference built upon a previous event held by the Department of History five years ago at the Faculty of Education, titled 30 Years of the Velvet Revolution, or Democracy Is Not a Given
General Supervision of the Public Prosecutor‘s Office over the Legality of Public Administration – a Retrospective and Prospective View
Get PDFČlánek pojednává o institutu všeobecného dozoru prokuratury nad zákonností veřejné správy, jenž byl součástí netrestní působnosti prokuratury za dob socialismu a měl do jisté míry sloužit jako náhrada neexistujícího správního soudnictví. Důraz je kladen na význam tohoto institutu jak stran ochrany veřejného zájmu, tak stran ochrany veřejných subjektivních práv adresátů. Článek se však neomezuje pouze na prázdnou deskripci historie, ale obsahuje také polemiku o tom, zda by některé dílčí aspekty tohoto institutu nemohly posloužit jako inspirace pro současnou právní úpravu a posílit tím netrestní působnost státního zastupitelství, případně formuluje úvahy de lege ferenda, které se v těchto souvislostech nabízí. Přitom je vzata v potaz také slovenská právní úprava, ve které má stále institut dozoru prokuratury nad zákonností veřejné správy své místo.The article discusses the concept of general supervision of the prosecutor‘s office over the legality of public administration, which was part of the non-criminal competence of the prosecutor‘s office during the socialist era and was to some extent intended to serve as a substitute for the non-existent administrative justice system. Emphasis is placed on the importance of this institution both in terms of protecting the public interest and the public subjective rights of the addressees. However, the article does not limit itself to an empty description of the historical context, but also includes a polemic on whether some partial aspects of this concept could serve as inspiration for the current legislation and thus strengthen the non-criminal jurisdiction of the public prosecutor‘s office, or formulates de lege ferenda considerations that are offered in this context. In this context, account is also taken of Slovak legislation, in which the concept of prosecutorial supervision over the legality of public administration still has its place