@article {1682,
	title = {EDUCATIONAL PRACTITIONERS{\textquoteright} ATTITUDES TOWARDS CHANGE: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE MODEL {\textquotedblleft}SCHOOL AS A LEARNING ORGANISATION{\textquotedblright} IN GENERAL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN LATVIA},
	journal = {Problems of Education in the 21st Century},
	volume = {81},
	year = {2023},
	month = {October/2023},
	pages = {Continuous},
	type = {Original article},
	chapter = {647-666},
	abstract = {In contemporary society, constant dynamic change presents a challenge that should be perceived as a determinant factor leading to progress. The aim of this study was to explore the extent to which educational practitioners in general education institutions in Latvia are prepared for change. Additionally, the study seeks to identify the main enabling factors and obstacles in implementing the {\textquotedblleft}School as a Learning Organisation{\textquotedblright} (SLO) model in general education in Latvia. That was achieved through quantitative data analysis from various perspectives, such as comparing data based on the type and size of educational institutions, as well as the positions and seniority of employees. Research data were collected using a web-based survey designed and maintained through QuestionPro. The final analytic sample comprised 671 respondents from 62 general education institutions in Latvia. The research results revealed that educational practitioners in Latvia, including leading, teaching, and supporting staff from general education institutions, are open to changes, new practices, and innovations. However, there were exceptions influenced by the educational practitioners{\textquoteright} seniority and position, institution size, and type. These factors could both positively and negatively predict employees{\textquoteright} attitudes towards change. A positive attitude towards change among teaching staff is a crucial element for the successful implementation of educational reforms in Latvia, such as the adoption of the SLO model. To foster a positive organizational culture, school leaders must provide supportive and transformative leadership, which is crucial for employees{\textquoteright} positive attitude towards change.},
	keywords = {attitude towards change, general education, influencing factors, innovations in education, school as a learning organisation},
	issn = {1822-7864},
	doi = {https://doi.org/10.33225/pec/23.81.647 },
	url = {https://oaji.net/articles/2023/457-1698379331.pdf},
	author = {Agnese Lastovska and Svetlana Surikova and Gunta Silina-Jasjukevi{\v c}a and Inese Lusena-Ezera}
}
@article {1678,
	title = {GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES INTEGRATED WITH CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES: EFFECTIVENESS ON THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS},
	journal = {Problems of Education in the 21st Century},
	volume = {81},
	year = {2023},
	month = {October/2023},
	pages = {Continuous},
	type = {Original article},
	chapter = {586-597},
	abstract = {With a conviction that general education should play a significant role in fostering the positive development of university students{\textquoteright} character, several educators integrated various activities that could contribute to such development into general education courses in a technical university in Taiwan. This study surveyed the takers and non-takers of those courses and compared the differences in the scores of eight aspects of character development between the two groups of students. Results revealed that the implemented courses brought up small gains, particularly for male students in the second year, in most of the aspects including {\textquotedblleft}logic and innovation,{\textquotedblright} {\textquotedblleft}social practices,{\textquotedblright} {\textquotedblleft}citizenship,{\textquotedblright} {\textquotedblleft}growth in learning,{\textquotedblright} and {\textquotedblleft}proactiveness and autonomy.{\textquotedblright} Female students were found to score significantly higher than male counterparts in all of the aspects and the scores of most aspects exhibited a declining trend with the increasing university years. These results were discussed from the perspectives of the teaching strategies advantageous for character development as well as the mental difference between first-year and third- or fourth-year students. },
	keywords = {character development, general education, quasi-experiment, teaching strategies},
	issn = {1822-7864},
	doi = {https://doi.org/10.33225/pec/23.81.586},
	url = {https://oaji.net/articles/2023/457-1698379051.pdf},
	author = {Yu-Long Chao}
}
@article {538,
	title = {THE CHILD FRIENDLY SCHOOL: AN IDEA VERSUS REALITY},
	journal = {Problems of Education in the 21st Century},
	volume = {29},
	year = {2011},
	month = {May/2011},
	type = {Original article},
	chapter = {82-88},
	abstract = {The purpose of this research was to question the concept of a {\textquoteleft}child friendly{\textquoteright} school, which sounds democratic, but is an unclear term. The problem is that with 45-minute lessons and 30 pupils in the classroom (as is often the case in Estonian schools), it is not possible to focus on each child. In 2005, a new basic school was opened in the countryside in the middle of Estonia {\textendash} for only 24 students (some of them were children with learning and/or behavioural difficulties). The method of research was educational ethnography. Result: the strict rules sometimes seem bad, but life is safer with them. It was interesting to recognize the importance of routines from ordinary ({\textquoteleft}old fashion{\textquoteright}) schools. Children with learning and/or behavioural difficulties need even more discipline than others, because this can be one part of the therapy. Education for sustainable development must not always be {\textquoteleft}child friendly{\textquoteright}.},
	keywords = {general education, learning and behavioural difficulties, rules},
	issn = {1822-7864},
	url = {https://oaji.net/articles/2014/457-1405178748.pdf},
	author = {Mare  Leino}
}
@article {105,
	title = {EDUCATION FORTUNES AND FAILURES: BETWEEN TENDENCIES AND CONTINGENCIES},
	journal = {Problems of Education in the 21st Century },
	volume = {6},
	year = {2008},
	month = {May/2008},
	type = {Editorial},
	chapter = {5-8},
	abstract = {Dear Readers,
 It seems to be a paradox that frequently initiated political decisions in the field of education influence the expected alterations as well as a number of negative factors. Recently, the quality of education has been devoted meticulous attention. There is no doubt it is a pressing matter at all levels of the education system. Every stage is specific and encodes the fortunes and failures of the following stage. The one, who obviously failed to succeed at the very beginning, can experience arising problems in the future. First of all, in this particular case I refer to lack of certain education and therefore, probably no one can be blamed as the education system is often found guilty about the situation. The education of the post soviet countries encountered a variety of fortunes and failures. On the one hand, the reforms of the education system were an inevitable and necessary process. A worse point is that in certain cases, they became sustained, ongoing and not preserving the established order, and thus caused discontent at a varying degree. For example, applying the so called modern ICT in the education system was not always a clever idea as only later it was perceived that the technologies themselves brought no success. Skills at purposefully using them, abilities to effectively apply the required equipment in practice etc. are necessary. 
The rejection of the identical programmes of general education in a number of post soviet countries including Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia can be accepted as success. Up to 1990, all Baltic States used the same course books as in the former Soviet Union. After gaining the independence, an underlying update of teaching content at all levels of the education system started. First original (not translated from the Russian language) course books appeared. In a few years time, first course books written by the European authors were published. However, didactically, these were not particularly suitable for Lithuanian students. For example, for more than ten years, the Latvian students of comprehensive school have been provided the possibility of choosing a learning curriculum. Although at previous times, they had a chance of selecting teaching subjects, still the latter principle did not satisfy expectations. A number of disagreements on bringing profiled teaching in practice occurred in the year 2000 (Lamanauskas, 2000b). The prospects and reality of the former education reforms taking place in Lithuania were openly discussed (2000a). It was expected that the then chosen model would ensure the individual possibilities of free choice. However, it can be stated that to a larger extent the implementation of the model in Lithuania did not succeed. After making the major transformations the initial model was withdrawn. It is clear that not all students are equally good at all subjects taught at school. Although the idea of profiling was brilliant, however, the chosen strategy for implementing things in practice had not been properly checked considering the prevailing conditions in Lithuania. Another important aspect is that this seems to be one of the ways to deny the core of comprehensive schooling. Though rather selective education systems exist in a number of European countries (for example, in Germany), too early specialization contradicts the conception of general education as the one graduating secondary school, must receive thorough education. Certainly, an opponent should state that presently, almost there is no country that should not provide a child with the possibility of choosing at least a part of educational content. Even supposing it is true, who can ensure it is a careful, well-balanced etc. choice. Since 2007, controversially evaluated profiled education in the Lithuanian establishments of comprehensive education has been changed to a less elaborated system that allows the learners to individually decide on 40\% of the subjects they want to be taught. Following a new requirement, a basic school graduate first of all, must choose not the profile but at least nine subjects from the basic school curriculum and almost the same number of the optional subjects. 
Another failure is that up to now, no equally qualitative education has been guaranteed for students neither in Lithuania, nor in Latvia. Despite the fact, that conditionally the above mentioned countries are quite small, the level of social isolation varies to a large degree in the city site and the rural area. In the majority of cases, financial support for education institutions depends on municipalities as these promote the latter establishments and are responsible for providing the required resources which definitely worsens the quality of education in general. Secondary schools were transformed into the institutions of basic education whereas the former basic schools were either closed or reorganized into the establishments of primary education in the larger part of rural areas in Lithuania. Such situation cannot be explained referring to demographic arguments, for example a decreasing number of learners, which on the contrary, facilitates higher quality education, as having the same financial resources, the number of students remains reduced and therefore more attention can be devoted to teacher training etc. Modern technologies and a smaller amount of students in the classroom create conditions for every learner to work out an individual plan of education that helps with introducing a personal style and pace of studying. In this case, the larger part of countries supports the idea of individualized teaching. 
Strong competition, general instructions on enrolling in the Lithuanian institutions of higher education and students experiencing pressure of their parents ignoring natural children{\textquoteright}s abilities to learn have a negative impact on education. To organize the process of total enrolment, all universities in Lithuania have formed an association. A number of young people break studying due to the wrong choice of a subject. For the last few years, the regulations have specified that up to 20 positions pointing out the chosen curricula of studies can be included in the application form. It is an opened lottery. The results of random enrolment are dramatic. Statistics shows that students{\textquoteright} options frequently do not correspond neither to their interests nor individual possibilities. The annual average of people eliminated from higher and vocational schools makes more than 20 000. For example, in the school year 2003/2004, 378 in 10 000 citizens of Lithuania were studying in universities. Under statistics provided by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania, more than 70\% the same year secondary school graduates are still studying in the institutions of higher education (44\% - in universities and 238\% - in colleges) http://www.smm.lt/. Thus, on the one hand, the number of students constantly increases, on the other hand {\textendash} the required financial support cannot be guaranteed, and therefore the quality of studies remains reduced. The Rector of Vilnius University suggests that if a number of students having no motivation enter the university and study no matter what they get, logically they fail to qualitatively study (Juodka, 2007). Another evident failure of education policy is that the number of managers having a doubtful qualification is increasing while that of qualified workers is decreasing in all three Baltic States. 
The problem of teachers{\textquoteright} social status can be accepted as a serious failure in some post soviet countries. Though education in Latvia and Lithuania is considered to be a priority field, nevertheless teachers{\textquoteright} remunerations remain really poor. Such situation does not attract qualified teachers to work at school. They must work longer hours and sometimes increase work load twice which prevents them from raising qualification, training courses and professional advancement. For the last few years, the trade unions of the above discussed countries have been fighting for their rights so that they would be honestly paid for the work they did. Periodically performed protest actions and strikes do not help with achieving main political decisions. 
A positive point is that all three Baltic States are closely collaborating in the fields of policy and education. The latest statistics and research have disclosed that the achievements of Estonian students surpassed those of Lithuanian and Latvian learners. The Latvian students of upper secondary school (forms from 10 to 12) were provided with new equipment necessary for laboratory experiments in sciences which is a very complimentary decision. During the last 15 years, an interest in natural sciences has remarkably decreased, is negatively evaluated by the majority of people and certainly will have a damaging impact in the future. A relevant task that should be undertaken by the Lithuanian Government is to arrange school network and properly supply schools with necessary equipment. However, a matter of concern is frequently and motivelessly closed schools having a small number of learners. The decrease of schoolchildren is not the major argument about the closure of school. In the majority of cases, the schools located in the rural area are the only focal points of education and culture. Therefore, the space of education in the Baltic States can be more or less treated in a similar way. It is likely that a close collaboration in the fields of education and policy will be central issues in the future. The Ministers of Education and Science of the Baltic States regularly discuss achievements in education in each of the countries.
 The problems of education fortunes and failures have been briefly discussed. Even such a subtle point of view should encourage researchers to more critically analyze the phenomena of fortune and failure in education. Quite a few failures were obviously programmed in the past and retrospectively can be accepted as a tendency. A number of things are being programmed nowadays as this is the way to programme the future of our society. Is it a tendency, contingency or both? Sinergetically, contingency can be accepted as creative constructive antecedent. With reference to education, it has a positive shade because of the power pushing forward the tendencies stimulating the growth of education planning and efficiency. 
The present and future education policy is definitely related to globalization and rapid changes taking place in society which is a real information revolution connected with the use of information communication technologies. It is clear that the countries that intended to change the education system and thus society itself had approved purposes. Some goals were achieved whereas a part of those were not attained. There is no excuse for a strong wish to intercept experience of the Western countries as the latter situation prevented from solving local problems. Therefore, a pertinent question whether we have our own science and education policy and a future project or only blindly follow things occurring in the West and enthusiastically take them over arises. An objective to change things and be changed is welcomed. It can be emphatically affirmed that education is able to change society. However, are the politicians competent enough to change education itself and create the required conditions for changes in education? The increase of reforms at different level is determined by gaining certain freedoms. Nevertheless, the main problem remains the same {\textendash} how to combine the previously launched various projects on the reforms of education into the wholeness in order to achieve better implementation of the projects through coordinating them and how to succeed in getting the best results. Losses and failures have never been ageless as they can be treated as general systemic regularities. It is the time to take control over, predict and learn from the failures of education. In the end, a controversial question asked by A. Bloom Will future learning be in tablet form? can be repeated. 
},
	keywords = {education system, general education},
	issn = {1822-7864},
	url = {http://oaji.net/articles/2014/457-1392232594.pdf},
	author = {Vincentas  Lamanauskas}
}
@article {87,
	title = {EFFECTIVE ICT IMPLEMENTATION AS A PRECONDITION FOR DEVELOPING GENERAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION},
	journal = {Problems of Education in the 21st Century},
	volume = {5},
	year = {2008},
	month = {April/2008},
	type = {Editorial},
	chapter = {5-8},
	abstract = {In the 21st century, the questions discussing background quality became crucial issues having a reflection in the international documents (the Barcelona Declaration, 2002, Lisbon Strategy Implementation Programme, EUROSCENE 2003 etc.) which draw up the guidelines for future education and decisive actions. The documents focus on the relevance of developing teaching methodology and technologies. Shortage of close attention prevents from the process of creating a competent public knowledgeable society (Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development, 2005) that is constructive and highly capable of building democracy in continuously changeable present and future life. Daily growing signs and impact of globalization show that individual steps require greater coordination in the international context. Formally, all the above mentioned subjects are highly relevant to us and closely relate to the dimensions of the Education for Democratic Citizenship in Europe (Education for Democratic Citizenship, 2001-2004). 
Modern ICT definitely play a crucial role in developing the teaching/learning processes at all stages and improving the quality of education. Actively involved information/knowledge-based society offers new opportunities to effectively satisfy students{\textquoteright} needs for teaching/learning. In addition to this, no new teaching/learning environments can be created without ICT. Technological progress and rapid development inevitably touches education sector. The breakthrough in education can be clearly noticed in the majority of European countries. 
Educational advantages of ICT raise no doubts. The use of ICT substantially helps with introducing educational material in a more modern and vivid way. Applying ICT in the teaching/learning process does not object to the basic didactical principles such as visualization, systemization, links between theory and practice, knowledge consolidation, encouragement of student participation in different activities, individualization and differentiation of teaching etc. Recently, Lithuanian teachers have been deeply involved in the Microsoft PowerPoint program which is very useful for preparing lessons as well as for other educational activities. The teachers suppose that such lessons are much more purposeful, interesting and increases motivation for learning. It can be clearly stated that when using the above introduced program, the teachers of different subjects have already made suggestions on different topics which open wide possibilities of integrating various themes, presenting information contained in a few chapters, increasing visualization of teaching etc. The teachers notice that shortage of time is one of the major drawbacks. In order to put forward qualitative suggestions, enough time and appropriate computer literacy skills are required. Gained experience and prepared teaching/learning material are the subjects worth being emphasized. Legal requirements of copyright certainly must be satisfied. A series of recent expert surveys in Lithuania disclosed that some teachers including Lithuanian Association of Physics Teachers (LFMA, 2008) and Lithuanian Association of Geography Teachers (LGMA, 2008) found useful a possibility of using special databases where necessary didactic material should be accumulated (Lamanauskas, Vilkonis, 2006). However, at the moment, Lithuanian Associations of Chemistry and Biology Teachers are not very actively involved whereas Lithuanian Association of Informatics Teachers (LInMA, 2008) is working very effectively. The website of the latter association is particularly useful as it presents different information that embraces conference texts, methodical information, discussion notes, reviews etc. 
Apart from the above mentioned program that focuses on making presentations, Lithuanian teachers widely and effectively use such general purpose software as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel etc. It is worth noticing that Microsoft Excel has a number of qualities, and therefore everyone learning to use a computer can find this software helpful. Microsoft Paint is rather frequently applied in educational practice due to its quality to produce computer graphics. Another virtue of ICT which is saving teacher{\textquoteright}s time must be emphasized. Using a computer is convenient as it helps with presenting and organizing different sorts of data whereas the Internet greatly assists in finding necessary information. Collaboration between teachers and students{\textquoteright} parents is an important process of schooling. E-mail helps teachers with contacting learners{\textquoteright} parents as well as the learners themselves. Lately, e-calendars are being widely implemented in Lithuanian schools which offer learners{\textquoteright} parents possibilities of becoming acquainted with schoolchildren{\textquoteright}s achievements. The process of applying the Intranet in such educational institutions as comprehensive and vocational schools is slowly progressing. However, even in this case, a rapid development is taking place. The implementation of the Intranet occurs with increasing rapidity. The Intranet presents report forms, annual and long-term educational curricula and other required documents and references which facilitate manipulating information.
 Another apparent quality of applying ICT is inter-cultural collaboration. Lithuanian comprehensive and vocational schools are active in joining international projects and programmes. In case of rejecting ICT, such collaboration should be barely accepted. The employment of ICT can help with organizing audiovisual conferences and expanding other methods of collaboration. For example, a number of Lithuanian comprehensive schools have been participating into the international project ENO-Environment Online (ENO-Environment Online, 2008). 
School life is extensively attacked by virtual teaching and learning environments allowing easily and flexibly organize the processes of teaching and learning. The virtual teaching/learning environment Moodle (http://moodle.org/) is one of the most popular systems. Suchlike environment offers a lot of different teaching and learning activities. Moreover, teachers can introduce teaching/learning material using a simple text, references to different websites on the Internet or hypertexts created on individual basis. Other virtual learning environments including Web CT, ATUTOR, First Class etc. are also being used. It should be mentioned that the establishments of higher education were the institutions that first started implementing and using the above introduced environments. Nevertheless, at the moment, comprehensive and vocational schools are trying{\textquoteleft} not to lag behind their colleagues from universities. In recent years, in order to adapt vocational training for the needs of labour market and to encourage collaboration between employers and institutions of vocational education, the system of Lithuanian vocational education has been improved. The use of the European Union funds designated for vocational training helps with a rapid implementation of ICT. 
However, ICT implementation covers more than creation and development of virtual learning environments. Practising only a virtual environment is not the most efficient way. For example, taking into account teaching natural sciences, it is worth reminding that sciences are based on experimentation. Therefore, the process of science education requires a practical-experimental approach in real teaching/learning environment. In this case, a burning question how to combine modern ICT and the above mentioned approach arises. One of the methods is implementing teaching/learning technologies of augmented reality. At the moment, five countries of the European Union are participating in the international project ARiSE based on the innovations in the field of ICT. (http://www.arise-project.org). A group of Lithuanian scientists from Science Education Research Centre of the University of Siauliai are involved in the project. The ARiSE project will develop the AR platform and associated pedagogical scenarios of use, enabling teachers to promote new teaching practices for teaching scientific and cultural content in primary and secondary schools. The ARiSE project is carried on in a consortium of seven partners: Fraunhofer IAIS (Germany) {\textendash} coordinator, Siauliai University (Lithuania), AccrossLimited (Malta) /until 30/06/2007, replaced by University of Brighton (UK), ICI Bucure{\c s}ti (Romania), Czech Technical University in Prague (Czech Republic), Siauliai City Juventa School (Lithuania) and Rabanus-Maurus Gymnasium Mainz (Germany). The first consumers{\textquoteright} impression about the AR teaching/learning platform is positive. The product is evaluated as highly useful. The AR learning platform creates conditions for a better understanding, and therefore is acceptable for younger learners encountering difficulties with perceiving abstract, invisible processes. The AR learning platform increases students{\textquoteright} motivation for learning. The possibility of learning by doing, touching a real object with hands, monitoring and changing the place of the object has been positively evaluated. The learners{\textquoteright} ability not only to monitor but also to control certain processes has been perfectly evaluated (Lamanauskas, Pribeanu, Vilkonis, Balog, Iordache, Klangauskas, 2007). 
One of the most important requirements for applying ICT and innovative techniques of teaching is a qualified teacher able to professionally use technologies in practice. A modern teacher must know how to employ ICT and adapt them in order to achieve specific goals of teaching. If previous teachers were more focused on technical aspects of applying ICT, recently, educational aspects of employing ICT have gained more weight. Likewise in the majority of countries in Central and Eastern Europe, shortage of young teachers can be noticed in Lithuania. An effective use of modern ICT is difficult for aged teachers. Although they can increase their qualifications in teacher training institutions at different level, still, similar activities do not compensate substantial gaps in the field they are dealing with. An interesting point is that in the majority of cases, students{\textquoteright} computer literacy remains higher than that of their teachers. Nevertheless, teachers{\textquoteright} computer literacy becomes an essential professional work condition. The use of ICT in education offers many new possibilities but the necessary ones are only the latest knowledge and skills of teachers (Bilek, Zemanova, Turcani, 2007). It is likely that these fields of discussion will be paid closer attention. 
Apart from effective implementation of ICT, it should be carefully considered possible negative outcomes of applying these technologies. For example, the premises equipped with a larger number of work stations must agree with certain hygiene standards established individually by every country. However, the standards themselves do not vary. A relevant fact is that in case of a larger number of computers in the classroom, a person might work in a strong electromagnetic field which negatively affects organism. A learner must sit in a comfortable work station that fulfils all possible hygiene requirements. The latter conditions are frequently ignored in schools due to various reasons. Electromagnetic radiation emitted by computers first of all, affect eyes, central nervous, reproduction and heart and vascular systems. It is extremely dangerous for younger learners. If a child spends too much time at a computer, one can start suffering from reduced eyesight sharpness. Though the rays sent out from computer do not cause any particular diseases, however, the human organism is definitely affected. Besides the above introduced valeologic and ergonomic problems, other disorders such as psychological dependence might occur. One of the Lithuanian websites discloses information that the findings of psychological research carried out by the scientists from the U.K. show concern that children under ten years old have nothing to do at computer! Even educational games might have a negative impact on younger children as in that case, maturity is decelerated, interest in child-focused games and communication with peers are decreased, attention is disturbed and imagination is poorly developed (Child Addiction to Computer / Vaiku priklausomybe nuo kompiuterio, 2007).
 A short review reveals that in one or another case, ICT may cause negative outcomes. First of all, it might be users{\textquoteright} health problems. The researchers underline that widespread using ICT has caused necessity to rise up questions about protection of students{\textquoteleft} health and other categories being taught, for example ergonomical problems (Jarinovskis, 1997, Gedrovics, Lamanauskas, 2006). Thus, the question of the negative impact of ICT is gaining more weight. It seems no answers are required. On the other hand, we are still suffering from shortage of information on different aspects having negative impact. When the answer is clear, we start feeling lack of required abilities and knowledge of how to reduce the negative impact of ICT or how to eliminate or at least to minimize it. Another important issue is what the real impact of modernization on society in terms of ICT implementation is. We are expecting that the coming years will bring us together to solve the above discussed problems and find positive decisions. },
	keywords = {general education, modern ICT, quality of education},
	issn = {1822-7864},
	url = {http://oaji.net/articles/2014/457-1392223337.pdf},
	author = {Vincentas  Lamanauskas}
}
