scholarly journals Designing an evaluation inventory for identifying teachers’ professionalism deficits in the context of transformation of contemporary education

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 33-45
Author(s):  
Irina Yuryevna Gutnik ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Growth ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Group Method ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Modern School ◽  
Contemporary Education ◽  
Evaluation Inventory

Introduction. The article is devoted to the problem of identifying teachers’ professional deficits in the context of transformation of modern school education. The purpose of this study is to describe a set of diagnostic methods aimed at identifying professional deficits of teachers in the context of transformation of contemporary education, which can be used both by teachers for self-assessment in order to subsequently overcome the detected deficits, and by school leaders to support teachers’ professional growth. Materials and Methods. In order to develop the set of diagnostic methods aimed at revealing teachers’ professional deficits, the author has used the following methods of educational research: conversations, focus-group method, in-depth and narrative interviews, action research, and soft systems methodology. The study involved 25 teachers and 720 students of grades 5-9. Results. The author has clarified the concept of ‘professional deficits’ and analyzed advantages and drawbacks of quantitative methods used in identifying teachers’ professional deficits. The study justifies using the set of diagnostic methods aimed at identifying teachers’ professional deficits in the context of contemporary education. Moreover, it has been proved that the presented evaluation inventory contributes to enhancing teachers’ professional self-assessment and reflection. Conclusions. In conclusion, the author summarizes the research findings about the implementation of the presented evaluation inventory and its contribution to teachers’ continuing professional growth.

A SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY APPROACH TO IMPROVING THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN GAUTENG PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-99
Author(s):  
Lewis Tsuro ◽  
Stan Hardman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Good Tool ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems

The Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) was developed as a set of tools for identifying and making incremental steps to improve situations with poorly defined causes or solutions. The supply chain forms a key process of any construction project; however, on any given construction site, supply chain inefficiencies could arise from many different avenues. Opinions vary, though, on which of these avenues is more important for increasing supply chain efficiencies; whether any problem even exist across the different aspects of the supply chain; as well as what steps should be taken to resolve them. It was therefore studied, here, whether SSM could be employed as a useful tool to systematically apply in the supply chains of a construction project in South Africa, for understanding and targeting the problematic situations that arise. Following thorough cyclical open-ended interviews with 17 workers, supervisors, foremen, site clerks, senior managers, and the CEO of the principal contractor at a new office park construction project in Rosebank, Johannesburg, and a thematic analysis of the data, SSM was performed to understand the existing challenges, and develop a suitable model for improvement. The study found that SSM was a good tool for understanding the ‘messy’ circumstances surrounding the chosen construction project supply chain, as well as actions that could be taken to improve the supply chain’s efficiency on site. The findings add weight to the argument that SSM could be a good tool for project managers to systematically introduce into their project planning regimens

Phenomenon of the Internet Immersion: Definition and Measurement

2021 ◽  
pp. 107-125
Author(s):  
L.A. Regush ◽  
◽  
A.V. Orlova ◽  
E.V. Alekseeva ◽  
O.R. Veretina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Convergent Validity ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Internet Usage ◽  
Actual State ◽  
Time Range ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Digital Competence ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Internet Environment

The purpose of the study was to justify the essence of the “Internet immersion” phenomenon and to create a standardized method for its measurement. A comparative analysis of approaches to human behavior on the Internet environment and existing diagnostic methods has revealed a significant variety of categories and definitions used. At the same time, there is no definition that: first, characterizes the degree and quality of user's Internet activity; second, is free from negative and clinical connotations; and, third, describes a wider time range of Internet usage than the actual state of immersion. The authors substantiate the possibility of studying the phenomenon of the Internet immersion through the category of disposition. It consists of the readiness to use technical means and informational resources of the Internet to solve problems in various types of activities and communication. The authors identify traditional components in the structure of the Internet immersion phenomenon. These are, first of all, a cognitive component, represented by digital competence self-assessment; then, an affective component, represented by motivation and emotional and value-based attitude towards the Internet; and a behavioral component, represented by the amount of digital consumption. Based on this definition, it was possible to construct a compact 9-block “Index of the Internet immersion” questionnaire. Its standardization was conducted on the sample of 712 adolescents, aged from 11 to 17. Using the factor analysis, the structure of the questionnaire was identified. The first factor includes questions that relate to the time spent on the Internet and signs of dependence on it. The second factor includes questions that reveal the activity component and emotional attitude to the Internet. The third factor includes questions about experience and self-assessment of digital competence. The advantage of the “Index of the Internet immersion” questionnaire is a fairly high reliability for internal consistency of scales throughout the questionnaire. We also confirmed the sufficient convergent validity of the “Internet environment immersion Index” method with the “Scale of Problematic Internet Usage” by A.A. Gerasimova, A.B. Kholmogorova (adapted version of Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale (GPIUS) by S. Caplan) and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT, K. Young), modified by V. A. Loskutova. This indicates its validity as an independent tool that does not duplicate other tools for semantically similar phenomena measurement. In the conditions of forced self-isolation that have developed in our country, the method of the Internet immersion diagnostics as an adequate and theoretically justified tool will allow us to study changes in the emotional state and behavior of teenagers on the Internet.

Secure e-Government Services

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Karokola ◽  
Louise Yngström ◽  
Stewart Kowalski
Keyword(s):  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Frame Of Reference ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Government Services ◽  
Security Services ◽  
Security Challenges ◽  
Security Standards ◽  
Common Frame Of Reference

E-Government offers many benefits to government agencies, citizens and the business community. However, e-Government services are prone to current and emerging security challenges posing potential threats to critical information assets. Securing it appears to be a major challenge facing governments globally. Based on the international security standards – the paper thoroughly investigates and analyzes eleven e-government maturity models (eGMMs) for security services. Further, it attempts to establish a common frame of reference for eGMM critical stages. The study utilizes the Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) of scientific inquiry/ learning cycle adopted from Checkland and Scholes. The findings show that security services (technical and non-technical) are lacking in eGMMs – implying that eGMMs were designed to measure more quantity of offered e-government services than the quality of security services. Therefore, as a step towards achieving secure e-government services the paper proposes a common frame of reference for eGMM with five critical stages. These stages will later be extended to include the required security services.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document