@article {17,
	title = {SCIENCE EDUCATION AS A CORE COMPONENT OF EDUCATEDNESS},
	journal = {Problems of Education in the 21st Century },
	volume = {1},
	year = {2007},
	month = {August/2007},
	type = {Editorial},
	chapter = {5-6},
	abstract = {This is the first edition of a new scientific compilation Problems of Education in the 21st Century. The articles included in the publication discuss the issues of modern education. Professor A.Broks clearly defines that {\textquoteleft}scientific and technical literacy for all and high quality science and technologies education for a coming new generation of specialists is the main task for the corresponding development of general as well as professional modern science and technologies education (Broks, 2007){\textquoteright}. The latter statement can be an argument that teaching science faces problems in the majority of countries. The investigations reveal that in comparison with other subjects, those of science (particularly chemistry) are the most complex and boring ones in comprehensive school. 
There are plenty of different scientific research on recent science and technology education carried out across Europe. We need to know the diversity and findings of the conducted investigations in order to more carefully coordinate further research. According to Eurobarometer opinion polls, the EU instrument for the analysis of public opinion, in comparison with the older generation, the younger Europeans generally have a positive attitude towards science and technology. However, less and less students are interested in scientific studies and careers. The fundamental question is addressed to stimulating young people interest in science studies and science in particular. We can state, that crucial to any learning is motivation and interest {\textendash} perhaps the most valuable thing a science teacher can do is to demonstrate enthusiasm for learning science (Goodwin, 2006). We are clearly targeted at primary and secondary school learners as well as at those studying in colleges and universities. Obviously, more attention in the field of natural science education should be devoted to the preschool age children on the one hand, and to the adults, on the other. The result to which we are expediently aspiring is development of a real and rather strong interest in science. We must intensify the efforts to make natural science education more effective at all levels of education. Due to a huge amount of specific information, natural sciences are very hard to be properly mastered.
 Another important argument for improving science education is awareness that scientific knowledge in modern societies is one of the key elements of economic and social success. In this context, modern science education must be accepted as a bridge between scientific research and society. 
The above mentioned statements are underpinning for our new scientific edition Problems of Education in the 21st Century. In general, European countries have totally different schooling practice and apply a number of specificities in the field of science education. It seems logical to accumulate this experience in order to show links between Western and Eastern traditions in the field of modern science education. Volume 1 Science Education in the Changing Society is dedicated to the problems encountered by science education. We hope that the next volume will cover more topics. 
I believe that this edition will have a high (theoretical and practical) impact on the development and advancement of public natural science and technological education not only in the region of Central and Eastern Europe but also in a number of other countries worldwide. As we all are full of interesting and useful ideas and experience I{\textquoteright}d like to invite you to share your knowledge on the pages of this new scientific compilation. I am expecting to see all scientists and teachers including those from Eastern European community to be both - readers and writers. 
},
	keywords = {educatedness, science education},
	issn = {1822-7864},
	url = {http://oaji.net/articles/2014/457-1392217250.pdf},
	author = {Vincentas  Lamanauskas}
}
@article {42,
	title = {SOME FEATURES OF INITIAL SCIENCE TEACHER TRAINING IN LITHUANIA},
	journal = {Problems of Education in the 21st Century },
	volume = {2},
	year = {2007},
	month = {September/2007},
	type = {Original article},
	chapter = {45-53},
	abstract = {After gaining the independence, well-grounded, qualitatively new and intensive changes took place in the education system of Lithuania. The issues of science education became even more burning and though more complex. One of the directives requires solving the problems of science education on the grounds of a general culture rather than separately as the questions should be treated as a part of culture. A teacher of sciences must fully master different training technologies and have a thorough preparation for teaching sciences. Obviously, science pedagogical education undergoes serious changes. The majority of the recent international studies face an alarming situation in the field of science education. A critical situation has been encountered by the ROSE project (Sj{\o}berg, 2004). It is obvious, that preparation of the qualified science teachers is actual and difficult task.�
 In conclusion, we can maintain that: 
{\textbullet} After restoring independence, the new teacher training curricula using experience of Western countries and considering national needs were developed.
 {\textbullet} The teachers of natural sciences mainly have to meet new social, pedagogic and subjective requirements. They are treated not only as providers imparting knowledge and facts but also as those helping the learner with choosing the required information on an individual basis. The changes in society and the process of teaching show that higher schools must take into account these facts while training would-be teachers. 
{\textbullet} The training curricula of teachers of natural sciences are designed on the basis of the regulations of the field of studies and standards of teacher training and are aimed at training teachers able to teach a few subjects of natural sciences. 
{\textbullet} The curricula focused on preparing teachers able to teach natural sciences integrated into other subjects taught are designed.
 {\textbullet} The curricula of natural sciences include education management, an introductory course on Educology, didactics and hodegetics that are involved into the process of competence development; however, it is not enough to gain general competence in pedagogical practice. 
{\textbullet} The training curricula of teachers of natural sciences encounter a problem pointing to the recession of the parallel teacher training model. In this case, the prospects of professional studies that proceed receiving a bachelor{\textquoteright}s degree are confirmed by the new curricula of professional studies scheduling a general core section of the subjects developing pedagogical competence and didactical subjects of different fields of science that will be applied for the purposes of improving didactical competence of a certain subject.{\textquoteleft}
 {\textbullet} Lack of specific methodology, examples of good practice and recommendations for solving the problem of integrated education can be noticed in Lithuania. 
{\textbullet} No detailed systemic recommendations and methodical and organizational tools of how to integrate modern Information Communication Technologies (ICT) into the processes of teaching/learning natural sciences are created. 
{\textbullet} The teachers of natural sciences are not experienced enough in the field of general competence in modern ICT and suffer from shortage of methodical experience of how to effectively apply ICT in the educational process. The teachers should gain relevant experience in the seminars in methodology, training courses and accepted pedagogical practice at school using the latest Lithuanian versions of natural science training aids based on ICT. },
	keywords = {educatedness, science education, teacher training},
	issn = {1822-7864},
	url = {http://oaji.net/articles/2014/457-1392220022.pdf},
	author = {Vincentas  Lamanauskas}
}
