“Geology in Everyday Life”: Designing Museum Educational Programmes (EP) with Students of Geology in the Science and Technology Museum (STM) of the University of Patras, Greece

This paper describes a study case of the Science and Technology Museum “Pedagogical Competence Programme” for students of the Department of Geology. It highlights an experimental approach of the museum for designing museum educational programmes with students. The museum succeeded from one side to develop a new program to offer to schools using participatory design and from the other to offer university students pedagogical experience through innovative, non-formal educational programmes, new ways to approach school students at all levels, cultivate their special skills, and enhance their knowledge, in order to familiarise them with the popularisation of science.

Critical Thinking and Effective Personality in the Framework of Education for Sustainable Development

According to UNESCO, critical thinking (CT) is a strategic skill for the 21st century, as it is associated with attitudes of personal and social change and improvement. Based on this, the objectives of this study were (1) to find out the possible relationships between CT and effective personality (EP) and (2) to determine the extent to which EP predicts the development of CT in children and adolescents. The research approach was quantitative, correlational and predictive. The sample consisted of 562 Spanish students. The measurement instruments were: (1) the Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory and (2) the Efficacy Personality Questionnaire. The main findings showed that there is a positive relationship between EP and CT, with the traits “being enthusiastic”, “developing positive self-esteem” and “having self-confidence” correlating most strongly with CT. The regression analysis shows that EP influences the development of students’ CT. There were no significant differences according to sex, and Primary Education students obtained higher CT scores. It is concluded that the better the promotion of EP, the greater the CT development will be. This suggests the need to design educational programmes for the improvement of EP, especially in adolescents.

The Role of Mosque Committee in Empowering Mosque’s Educational Programmes: Case Study of Mosques in Gombak District, Malaysia (Peranan Ahli Jawatankuasa Masjid dalam Penambahbaikan Program Pendidikan Masjid: Kajian Kes bagi Masjid-Masjid di Daerah Gombak)

This article analyses the roles of the mosque committee in enhancing the mosque’s educational programmes in Gombak, Selangor. Gombak as an administrative district that is located inside the hectic and modernized area of Klang Valley is prone to foreign ideologies and socio-cultural issues. This study aims to broaden the understanding of how the mosque committee in Gombak could empower the mosque’s educational programmes in addressing these issues. This study also aims to discover creative improvision that the committee could make in making the mosque’s educational programmes attractive to the surrounding community. This study focuses on the role of the mosque committee in improving their mosque’s educational programmes with a specific case study on selected mosques in the Gombak district. It is a qualitative study that utilizes the deductive and inductive methods derived from surveys collected from Focus-group Discussion (FGD) and literature studies. Recordings from the FGD survey and recent literature studies related to this topic are examined and analysed according to its appropriation. The result indicates the importance of the mosque committee and their significant roles in enhancing the mosque’s educational programmes such as adjusting the curriculum to cater the diversity of people and continuously improvising the lesson through feedback taken from the surrounding community. Keywords: Mosque Educational Programme, Mosque Committee, Islamic Education, Gombak District, Majlis Agama Islam Selangor. Abstrak Artikel ini mengkaji peranan yang boleh dimainkan oleh ahli jawatankuasa masjid dalam usaha penambahbaikan program pendidikan masjid di sekitar kominiti Gombak, Selangor. Gombak merupakan sebuah daerah pentadbiran terletak di dalam kawasan Lembah Kelang yang sibuk dan moden terdedah kepada ideologi asing dan permasalahan sosio-budaya. Kajian ini bermatlamat untuk memperluaskan kefahaman berkaitan tentang bagaimana ahli jawatankuasa masjid boleh menambahbaik program pendidikan masjid untuk menanggapi permasalaha-masalah tersebut. Kajian ini juga bertujuan untuk menemukan kaedah penambahbaikan kreatif yang boleh dilakukan oleh ahli jawatankuasa masjid untuk menjadikan program pendidikan masjid menarik bagi masyarakat sekitar. Kajian ini juga memfokuskan kepada peranan ahli jawatankuasa masjid dalam menambahbaik fungsi program pendidikan masjid dengan kajian kes keatas masjid terpilih di daerah Gombak. Ini adalah kajian kualitatif yang menggunapakai kaedah deduktif dan induktif yang berasal dari hasil dapatan tinjauan Diskusi Kelompok Terfokus (FGD) dan juga kajian literatur. Rakaman dari tinjauan FGD dan kajian literatur terkini yang berkaitan dengan topik ini akan dikaji dan dianalisa mengikut kesesuaiannya. Hasil menunjukkan kepentingan ahli jawatankuasa masjid dan peranan besar mereka dalam menambahbaik program pendidikan masjid contohnya dalam menyesuaikan kurikulum untuk menyantuni kepelbagaian masyarakat dan penambahbaikan berterusan pengajian melalui maklum balas yang diperolehi dari masyarakat setempat. Kata Kunci: Program Pendidikan Masjid, Ahli Jawatankuasa Masjid, Pengajian Islam, Daerah Gombak, Majlis Agama Islam Selangor.

Discursive Practices as Drivers of Academic Culture in Higher Education (Baikal School of BRICS Case Study)

Irkutsk National Research Technical University has recently launched a number of English-taught educational programmes with the paramount objective to transform the educational landscape of the university. Delivering the programmes in a foreign language gives the university significant competitive advantages in the higher education market, and also enhances the standards of education by attracting foreign experts, professors and students. The purpose of the study is to identify specific didactic tasks that will determine the design of English-taught educational programmes. Having analysed the experience based on language training of undergraduate and graduate students who study in multicultural groups and take English-taught courses, we conclude that the academic status of foreign languages within the programmes of Baikal School of BRICS differs from classical educational paradigms. The implemented lingua-didactic approach when delivering the disciplines focused on language performance is based on the principles of intercultural reflection, acceptance of linguistic and cultural diversity, generation of common meanings and values of education and academic cooperation within the studied subjects, and it contributes to the development of adequate educational technologies resulting in appropriate learning outcomes of students. The results of the study can be used to evaluate and develop similar educational products.

Hospitality education in New Zealand prisons

New Zealand has one of the highest imprisonment rates per capita when compared to the rest of the developed world. People who offend in New Zealand have a 43% chance of reoffending within the first 24 months of their release [1]. It is estimated that approximately 60% of people who offend have literacy and numeracy skills lower than the NCEA Level 1 competency, and 66% of adults have no formal qualifications [2, 3]. A focus on literacy and numeracy, support through baseline education, and specific trades like hospitality, can start to refine the options of a person who offends, further enabling them to start developing goals that will support their futures [4]. Since 2014, the Department of Corrections/Ara Poutama Aotearoa has been upgrading the prison-based educational programmes available to people who offend to achieve this. Goals have been set to integrate the in-prison education with the nationally recognised level of education along with practical elements such as kitchen work, housekeeping and other service-based vocations such as hairdressing and customer service. The courses are relatively short, ranging from six to 12 weeks, and provide key skills and the foundations for further study. Evidence from overseas has found that hospitality and, specifically, catering programmes are a tool that positively impacts the way people who offend engage with their rehabilitation; creating an experience through the sharing and giving of food is seen as a way to reintegrate and regain a sense of achievement and being of service through meaningful social connections and employment. Our study carried out a systematic literature review of the effectiveness of hospitality training and education in correctional facilities. Evidence was found of the effectiveness of educational programmes within prisons and their positive impact on recidivism. It was also found that hospitality training initiatives, such as those provided in prison training restaurants open to the public for dining, could offer a unique opportunity that allows people who offend to change the negative public perceptions held about them. In New Zealand, we have unique tikanga-based initiatives that support people who offend to reintegrate back into the public environment and their families, with reduced reoffending [5]. The literature showed, convincingly, that education leads to opportunities for post-release employment and the ability to manage work-life balance, reintegration into society, and gain skills that support long-term prosperity [3]. Czerniawski [6] sees education as a key step in making a positive change in the lives of people who offend, especially if followed by a period of post-release support. Our study also revealed the challenges of providing hospitality education in prisons. Prison security risks, risk of lockdowns, student mental health, lack of educational resources and support services, and lack of set-up and sustainable funding for educational programmes were seen as hindrances to the success of prison education programmes. Lack of post-release support and the negative stigma of people who offend perceived by the public and employers were further noted issues of concern. Likewise, prison culture, staff retention, general misconduct and mistrust were also cited as aspects of concern [7]. Giousmpasoglou and colleagues [8] suggested that people who offend would prefer education programmes that were carried out by external facilitators over in-prison programmes. The importance of networks between educators, support workers and employers are important in this regard. With the hospitality industry facing a skills shortage and with its low barriers to entry, there is potential to build upon the success of existing hospitality education programmes to build skills, pride and a second chance for those who are engaging in rehabilitation. There is also an opportunity to consider tertiary pathways for these hospitality graduates and entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the Department of Corrections/Ara Poutama Aotearoa could consider the success of initiatives such as The Clink Charity training restaurants in the UK in supporting rehabilitation through hospitality training and work. Corresponding author Madz Crouth can be contacted at: [email protected] References (1) Boomen, M. Where New Zealand Stands Internationally: A Comparison of Offence Profiles and Recidivism Rates. Practice: The New Zealand Corrections Journal 2018, 6 (1), 87–96. https://www.corrections.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/33449/Practice_Journal_Vol6_Iss1_July_2018_WEB.pdf (accessed Dec 1, 2021). (2) Corrections. Prison Facts and statistics – December 2020, 2020. https://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/statistics/quarterly_prison_statistics/prison_stats_december_2020 (accessed Dec 1, 2021). (3) Corrections. Prison Facts and Statistics – March 2020, 2020. https://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/statistics/quarterly_prison_statistics/prison_stats_march_2020 (accessed Dec 1, 2021). (4) Harkison, T.; McIntosh, A. Hospitality Training for Prisoners. Hospitality Insights 2019, 3 (1), 5–6. https://doi.org/10.24135/hi.v3i1.52 (5) Hamer, P.; Paul, J.; Hunia, M. Hōkai Rangi: Context and Background to the Development of Ara Poutama Aotearoa Strategy 2019–2024. Practice: The New Zealand Corrections Journal 2021, 8 (1), 18–22. https://www.corrections.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/43208/Practice_Journal_2021_Final_Web_Version.pdf (accessed Dec 1, 2021). (6) Czerniawski, G. A. Race to the Bottom – Prison Education and the English and Welsh Policy Context. Journal of Education Policy 2016, 31 (2), 198–212. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680939.2015.1062146 (7) Chui, W. H.; Cheng, K. K.-Y. The Mark of an Ex-Prisoner: Perceived Discrimination and Self-Stigma of Young Men after Prison in Hong Kong. Deviant Behavior 2013, 34 (8), 671–684. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2013.766532 (8) Giousmpasoglou, C.; Brown, L.; Marinakou, E. Training Prisoners as Hospitality Workers: The Case of the CLINK Charity; Paper presented at the Travel & Tourism Research Association (TTRA) 2019: European Chapter Conference, 2019. http://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/31827/1/Giousmpasoglou-Brown-Marinakou_TTRA19_conference_Final.pdf (accessed Dec 1, 2021).

Determining the causes of electricity losses and the role of management in curbing them: A case study of City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa

The problem of energy losses, both nationally and internationally, is a leading cause for the financial collapse of most utilities. A quantitative research approach was adopted for this study where a questionnaire was used to collect information from the participants. A total of 113 City of Tshwane (CoT) employees within the electricity division participated in the study. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistical methods were used to analyse the outcome of the survey. The study found that technical and non-technical losses are the major cause of revenue loss. Non-technical losses are caused either by inefficiencies in managing losses or by end-users being unwilling to pay for electricity. The study found that power theft through meter tampering, incorrect billing by employees, and cable theft were also major causes of energy losses. Illegal connections were found to be the major cause of energy losses, along with power theft and lack of resources. Deficiencies in infrastructure maintenance were found to be the main cause of technical losses. The study found that management of CoT is committed to managing energy losses, being aware of their impact on the financial well-being of the municipality. There is an established policy of managing energy losses and there is a plan to replace ageing infrastructure. Employees are continuously trained in accurate billing and metering as part of efforts to curb energy losses. The municipality is also engaged in efforts to put educational programmes in place to inform communities about electricity theft.

Educational needs and type 1 diabetes mellitus: The voices of adolescents, parents and caregivers

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the needs of adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus for acquiring self-care and psychosocial skills for the progressive self-management of the disease, as a prelude to the development of an educational programme. The parents and health care professionals who supported young people were also asked to provide their insight into adolescents’ needs. Methods, design and setting: Qualitative focus group design with a thematic analysis informed by social-cognitive theory. Results: Findings highlight gaps and divergence in the perceived needs of adolescents engaged with in existing structured educational programmes. Suggestions for change to future programmes were identified, including the implementation of educational follow-ups outside of hospital settings and an educational programme open to family and friends to foster support from the adolescents’ social circle. The use of digital media is proposed as an on-demand (rather than planned) educational method. Conclusion: This study provides information relevant to the development of new educational programmes for adolescents with type 1 diabetes in the south of France. Future programmes should be structured so as to promote active participation by adolescents from the start of the programme through to its evaluation.

La storia assente: i limiti della Convenzione Europea del Paesaggio

The European Landscape Convention is an international treaty of great importance in the European institutional framework, but it contains a number of unclear and controversial points. This article investigates the relationship between the Convention and history, disclosing several critical aspects. In particular, it is worth mentioning that from the text of the Convention the term history/histoire is missing. The essay explores the reasons for this absence, in relation to a more general crisis of historical culture that affects the European nations. This crisis had already been foreseen by a number of authors, such as Jean-François Lyotard, Eric Hobsbawm, Claude Lévi-Strauss and François Hartog. In Italy, the most recent book by Adriano Prosperi (Un tempo senza storia, 2021) investigates the crisis of historical culture in contemporary societies, severely affecting schools and students’ educational programmes. The European Convention apparently shares this approach that constitutes a real threat to a proper knowledge of landscapes as repositories of collective memory and cultural heritage.

Indonesian street children's negotiation of play

Street children are often constructed as fragile individuals who lose their innocent childhood since they have to work and do not have the opportunity to play like most of their peers. Using Bourdieu's concept of field, capital and habitus, this article seeks to go beyond the existing notion of play by exploring how street children in Bandung, Indonesia, understand and negotiate play with working as part of their everyday lives. The authors took an ethnographic approach to collect data from 14 street children and their guardians, mainly through observation and ongoing conversation. The findings suggest that the children are able not only to navigate the meaning of play, but also to negotiate their social position with adults on the street. This article serves as an invitation for educators and policymakers to develop educational programmes that are sensitive to multiple meanings of play, children and childhood.

Peculiarities of the nostrification of higher education diplomas

This article examines the problems of nostrification of foreign diplomas in Ukraine and the recognition of educational programmes, taken by graduates of foreign universities. Ukraine today is a wide market of professions, where our citizens with foreign diplomas and foreigners, who were educated at home, find jobs. The state is also guided by the educational process, which takes place in European countries and has its own characteristics and traditions. Work on universalization of education should have a positive impact on faster and better implementation of programmes of exchange of scientific and pedagogical experience between countries, academic mobility of students, postgraduates, teachers, etc. The article also mentions the traditional exchange of students and professors, the exchange of scientific achievements between universities in different countries, building mutually beneficial partnerships, which is why Ukrainian universities have to focus on the European labour market. The article also discusses the peculiarities of the document flow for nostrification of diplomas, lists the main documents and reveals the problems, associated with their processing. The research problem has an interdisciplinary status, because it raises problems of documentation work, recognition of diplomas and problems, faced by graduates of foreign universities