The Learning Situation in the Computer-Oriented Centers for Children in Tunisia, Interchangeability, and Interdependence: Contexts, Challenges and Experience’s Building Ethnographic Approach

There are several non-formal learning experiences related to the use of computer technologies. Tunisia presents one of these experiences that merits study. I have devoted part of my research to this matter, non-formal education. In this chapter, I have studied the experience of the computer-oriented centers for children. The study was conducted in the educational year 2002–2003. The importance of the data in this study remains reliable to this day. The goals of this chapter is to examine (1) the impact of elements of non-formal learning situation to the informatics project realized by children in its centers, and (2) the impact of the problem situation to social reality shaping, and (3) the impact of the use of computer technology in a learning situation that is different from the formal learning. I consider that a careful constructivist analysis is required to achieve this objective. The results show that an organizational context that operates according to a logic in which social knowledge is interconnected. So, to attain these results I proceeded with an ethnographic approach. I observed 60 children in 67 sessions; each session lasted 1h: 30 mn. I analysed interactions between children and between children and their educators, its are the product of a cognitive and affective commitment, that oriented by the principle of reciprocity.

Building a model of a problem situation in transport systems

The approach to construction of model of a problem situation in transport system is resulted, the block diagram of its algorithm is developed. It is revealed that the transition stage from the problem to the formulation of formal tasks is a problem situation, and the tasks can be solved in different ways, forming a set of strategies. It is noted that in the general case the result of operations is uncertain, which is caused by the uncertainty of the conditions of the operation and the action of factors of different nature. It is revealed that the acquisition of values of indicators that characterize one or another result of the operation is associated with the solution of the problem of modeling operations. The stages of the problem of studying the efficiency of the operation in the transport system are given. A number of assumptions are made about the process of obtaining results, which is associated with the formation of the operation model and obtaining efficiency estimates based on modeling results, as well as the process of analyzing the results, which involves solving the selection problem based on the established efficiency criterion or system of such criteria. It is found that the model of the problem situation in transport systems reflects the relationship of the main elements of the decision-making process and the sequence of formation of partial tasks and is built to cover the problem of decision-making as a whole, to present its main elements to be finalized. about the strategy of the operation. It is shown that the presence of a certain component as an independent element in the model of the problem situation assumes that the set of values of uncertain factors in the development of solutions will be either set externally, or finding these values will be an independent task. A list of actions for solving partial problems based on this model is presented. It is shown that in many practical cases it is observed that the a priori task of one of the main criteria of efficiency leads to the selection of some set of alternatives. Therefore, the choice of the best alternative requires the formation of a compound criterion, which includes both formal and informal prescriptions for making a judgment on the basis of which the selection or return and correction of elements of the model of the problem situation.

Training action for physics teachers: an application of problem-based learning

The teaching of problem-based learning is a didactic approach that requires a radical change in the role of the physics teacher because it is focused on learning, research, and reflection that students follow to reach a solution to a problem situation as a starting point for the acquisition and integration of knowledge in science. The results of a training action for physics teachers on the implementation, their perceptions, and perspectives on the feasibility of the problem-based Learning approach are presented. The study is quasi-experimental in nature with pre-test and post-test in the study variables. The results suggest that the teachers’ perceptions are positive, which is why they consider that its implementation in teaching is viable, however, they need more elements that facilitate their execution in the classroom, such as understanding the theoretical foundations and their pedagogical use successful in the classroom. It is concluded that, for the physics teaching process, problem-based learning is an innovation because it allows the student to learn actively, in which inquiry is relevant for the development of skills and appropriation of knowledge, which in the framework of natural sciences leads to the reconstruction of the scientific method.

Information support for decision making in problem situation description

Objectives. The problem of automating the user information support in decision making system at the stage of describing the problem situation is solved. The relevance of the problem is associated with the need to collect and process significant amounts of information, since in the presence of a large number of factors, a person's capabilities are often insufficient to search and organize the necessary information.When solving the problem of user information support at the stage of describing the problem situation, three main goals are pursued: building a mathematical model of the corresponding processes; formalization of the set of basic concepts of the model; development of the algorithms for implementation of user interaction with the information system.Methods. Methods of set theory, probability theory and graph theory are used.Results. A mathematical model of user information support at the stage of describing a problem situation has been developed. In the process of interacting with the user, the system suggests special templates of sentences and texts for filling. Along with templates, the user receives help texts from the system. They are generated on the basis of the previously developed model of knowledge representation in the form of verbal associations, that is, semantic links between words and phrases corresponding to associative relationships between the entities they designate in the real world.Conclusion. As an implementation of the proposed model, the following algorithms have been developed: an algorithm for creating a dictionary of communicative fragments; algorithms for creating fragment-slot templates for sentences, texts and subject areas; an algorithm of user information support. The vocabulary of communicative fragments is created in four steps in accordance with their formal definition. At each step, four conditions from the given definition are tested sequentially. Fragment-slot templates of sentences are formed by replacing their basic communicative fragments with slots, and text templates - as tuples of templates of their sentences. Fragment-slot templates of subject areas are created in the form of implementation of binary relations reductions on the sets of sentence templates from the corresponding thematic text corpora. Each thematic body of texts defines a certain subject area.

ABILITY TO WORK IN A TEAM AS A MODERN PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE OF A TEACHER

The purpose of the article is to conduct a theoretical analysis of the essence of teamwork and its role in the professional activities of teachers. The article clarifies the relevance and prospects of forming the experience of future teachers’ teamwork. The regulations consider it to be important as general and professional competence. The meaning of the notion “team” is described, as one, which defines small groups of people (from 3 to 12 participants). These groups are specifically selected to combine their efforts to solve a problem situation or a common completion of an important task. They have a clear target orientation and intensive interaction with each other. The main features of teamwork, such as group activity, which is focused on solving a particular problem and implementation of tasks, are discussed in the article. The authors claim that such an association of teachers is an essential tool for the personal and professional growth of every member. In addition, the article defines that researchers distinguish four types of a team. The first type is a work team, which solves the current problems of a pedagogical team and educational institution in general. The second type is a project team and a development team. They work on long-term educational projects. The third type is a parallel team, which is temporal and is focused on solving some educational issues. The last type is a management team, which unifies all heads of HR departments of an educational institution or other organization.The main advantages of any teamwork are highlighted in the article: improving the quality of decisions; reducing the time to find the best solutions; implementation of a multifaceted approach to solving complex pedagogical problems; professional growth of team members. Keywords: competence; professional competence; team; teamwork; teachers; feature of a team; types of teams; forming teamwork experience.

A Competency-based Approach to Environmental Education: Learning About "Radioecology"

The research objective was to develop a new approach and methodology for the discipline of “Radioecology.” This ensures that the education is practice-orientated, with the possibility of distance and independent learning, skills improvement, and the development of interdisciplinary relationships. The research methods used a theoretical and methodological analysis of scientific and educational literature, logical and semantic modeling of the learning content, design, theoretical analysis and synthesis. The research achieved a new curriculum for "Radioecology," the creation and implementation of a theoretical course and the development of the practical part of the discipline. This was differentiated by difficulty levels and aimed at solving specific situational problems. The work proposed the creative component of the practical part in the form of individual tasks requiring the learner to resolve a specific production problem situation. It also created a laboratory workshop with the development of modern scientific methods a textbook on radioecology and an electronic version of the methodological support of the discipline, facilitating independent training and making distance learning possible.

Systems methodologies for handling problem complexity

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how holistic thinking and the use of systems methodologies can help organisations handle increased problem complexity. The paper provides a critical discussion of the development of applied systems thinking and examines how its main strands can deal with problem complexity, multiple perceptions of reality and the unequal access to power resources in organisations. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses social theory and a systems meta-theoretical framework to examine the different ontological and epistemological assumptions that each strand of applied systems thinking makes about the nature of problems and the way in which an intervention will be made. Findings Complex problems require joined-up thinking and the use of systems ideas. Viewing the problem situation from a holistic perspective and applying appropriate systems methodologies and tools can help managers handle the complexities that their organisations face. Originality/value The paper makes a clear link between systems approaches and social theory and emphasises the need to understand the different assumptions that theories, methodologies or people make when they intervene in complex problem situations.

A Dialogic Perspective on Managing Knowledge Differences: Problem-Solving while Building a Nuclear Power Plant Safety System

To manage knowledge differences, existing research has documented two sets of practices: traversing and transcending knowledge boundaries. What research has yet to explore, however, is the dynamics through which traversing or transcending practices emerge in response to a particular problem situation. Using a qualitative, inductive study of the problem episodes encountered by groups of experts working on a large-scale project to build the safety system for a nuclear power plant, we observed that the emergence of traversing or transcending depended on how experts interpreted problems and initiated dialogues around specific problems. Our work provides insight into the condition through which knowledge integration trajectories may emerge.

PLANEJAMENTO ESTRATÉGICO: O USO DA FERRAMENTA BALANCED SCORECARD COMO UMA NOVA VISÃO DE GESTÃO NA COMPANHIA PERNAMBUCANA DE SANEAMENTO

Resumo: O presente trabalho versa sobre o planejamento estratégico na Companhia Pernambucana de Saneamento – COMPESA, relatando os principais problemas do uso da ferramenta Balanced Scorecard - BSC, bem como, sugerindo algumas mudanças significativas nas ações administrativas, que resultarão na melhoria dos processos – tornando assim mais eficaz o uso do instrumento no planejamento da referida empresa. Após identificação da situação problema a ser investigada, foram realizadas entrevistas no sentido de aperfeiçoar as ações operacionais e em seguida refeitos os passos do planejamento. Assim, segundo as demonstrações das ações de intervenção, serão mitigadas as imperfeições do procedimento contribuindo para uma melhor eficiência das tarefas, trazendo resultados positivos para a organização.Palavras-chave: BSC. Estratégia. Processos administrativos.Abstract: The present work intends to deal with the strategic planning in the Company Pernambucana de Saneamento – COMPESA, reporting the main problems of the use of the tool Balanced Scorecard - BSC, as well as, it has been suggested some significant changes in the administrative actions, that will result in the improvement of the processes, thus making more effective the use of the instrument in the planning of the company. After identifying the problem situation to be investigated, interviews were conducted in order to improve the operational actions and then reworked the planning steps, so, according to the demonstrations of the intervention actions, the imperfections of the procedure will be mitigated, thus contributing to a better efficiency of the tasks, bringing positive results to the organization.Keywords: BSC. Strategy. Administrative processes.

TYPOLOGY OF ELDERLY WOMEN BY THE NATURE OF INTERACTION WITH HOUSING AND COMMUNAL SERVICES

В статье предложена социальная типология пожилых российских женщин, вынужденных адаптироваться к требованиям жилищно-коммунальной сферы (ЖКС), переполненной проблемами и конфликтами. В основу типологии положено сочетание параметров адекватности отражения пожилыми окружающей их проблемной ситуации в ЖКС и выраженности их активности. Выделены следующие типы: социально адекватные и активно действующие (по отстаиванию личных и коллективных интересов); социально адекватные, но пассивные - группа пожилых, которые хорошо понимают уровень и качество предоставляемых им жилищно-коммунальных услуг, но ничего не предпринимают; социально неадекватные, но активные, предрасположенные к инициации конфликта с управленцами ЖКС; социально неадекватные и пассивные. Из среды пожилых выделены активно действующие и адекватные, располагающие свободным временем и необходимыми компетенциями активистки, которые готовы представлять интересы всех жителей многоквартирного дома. Этот тип активисток старается выйти на стратегию равноправного партнёрства с управленцами ЖКС, но сталкивается с недружественной или безразлично настроенной средой, формально-бюрократическим подходом государственных контролирующих организаций. Теоретико-методологической рамкой исследования послужило рассмотрение пожилого возраста как периода раскрытия, проявления новых возможностей в самореализации, проявляющихся прежде всего в решении повседневных проблем. The article proposes a social typology of elderly Russian women who are forced to adapt to the requirements of the housing and communal services sector, overflowing with problems and conflicts. The typology is based on a combination of the parameters of the adequacy of the reflection by the elderly of the problem situation surrounding them in the housing and communal services and the severity of their activity. The following types are identified: socially adequate and active (in defending personal and collective interests); socially adequate, but passive - a group of elderly people who understand well the level and quality of housing and communal services provided to them, but do nothing; socially inadequate, but active, charged with conflict with managers of the housing and communal sphere; socially inadequate and passive. Active and adequate activists with free time and the necessary competencies who are ready to represent the interests of all residents of an apartment building are singled out from among the elderly. This type of activist is trying to enter into a strategy of equal partnership with managers of the housing and communal services sector, but is faced with an unfriendly or indifferent environment, a formal bureaucratic approach of state regulatory organizations. The theoretical and methodological framework of the study was the consideration of old age as a period of disclosure, the manifestation of new opportunities in self-realization, manifested primarily in solving everyday problems.