Necessity of improvement of foreign language teaching in the Slovak Republic

Aim. The aim of the research study was to investigate the opinions of the Slovakian secondary school foreign language teachers and learn about their views on the system of education in the field of enhancement of teachers` professional qualifications. Methods. To perform the results of the study the method of focus group was used. Results. The results of the presented research show the differences between the perception of foreign language education in the past and how it appears today through the views of selected number of foreign language teachers in Slovakia. The pivotal role is played by the technological skills of the students and their ability to use information technologies instructed in foreign languages. The research results also indicate the possibilities of teachers to get in direct contact with the target foreign language as a part of their professional development. The research participants also specified the factors that they considered the most influential in the process of foreign language learning. Conclusion. The purpose of the article is to discuss the urge to achieve highly professional foreign language education in today`s technological society. As shown by the results obtained from the focus group, the teachers/participants agreed on a single highly impactful factor: family.

Cognitive Development by Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

Aim/Thesis: The aim of this research is to promote the use of the three concepts-- the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), the Gettier Problem, and Corpus Linguistics (Contextual Learning)--to increase the academic performance of early undergraduate engineering students. Concept/Methods: 30 Engineering students completed one untimed Mensa IQ Test of 10 questions and one Simon-Binet IQ Test of 50 random IQ questions with a 12 minute time limit. These 30 students were chosen from two different college sections: 15 students from each section. Before the second Simon-Binet Test, one group, G(a), was given ZPD scaffolding in three major topics — Working Memory, Fluid Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning —as they had answered questions based on these concepts incorrectly in their first Mensa IQ test. The second group, G(b), was not given the ZPD scaffolding. A statistical t-test that was later performed indicated that G(a), with scaffolding, outperformed G(b), without the scaffolding, in the second IQ test. Results and conclusion: Using the t-test, it is seen that the hypothesis of this research that ZPD, Gettier Problem and Corpus Linguistics can enhance the performance of the students in a short time period is correct. After the first Mensa IQ test, the level of both the groups G(a) and G(b) of engineering students was almost the same, indicated by a very similar mean results. However, after supporting G(a) utilizing ZPD, Gettier Problem and Corpus Linguistics for their three problem areas - Working Memory, Fluid Reasoning and Spatial Reasoning - identified after their first IQ test where the students needed scaffolding, the performance of this group improved more in comparison to G(b), as indicated by the results of the second online Simon-Binet Test. Research restrictions: It was not possible to provide all the random questions of the online Simon-Binet test given to all 30 students because the total number of questions would be 30*50=1500. Only the first ten questions of the Mensa IQ test are included in this research paper. Further, the third and fourth year engineering students are not included in this research as it is assumed that they have had already developed expertise and the effect of the investigated tools would not be clearly visible. Practical application: ZPD scaffolding was applied to the students when the students’ major problem areas were identified as requiring contextual learning and support. The Gettier Problem-- an epistemological concept-- was also used to keep their mind open at all the times during the learning process and Linguistics Corpus gave the contextual support as ZPD proposes the social-contextual mode of learning. Originality/Cognitive value: The paper presents empirical research on engineering students demonstrating the practical utility of ZPD, Gettier Problem and Corpus Linguistics in the process of learning, potentially irrespective of any discipline.

ONTOLOGICAL SECURITY OF AN INDIVIDUAL: ATTACHMENT STYLES AND COPING STRATEGIES

Aim. The aim of this paper is to theoretically substantiate individual’s attachment as a need for ontological security, to outline the educational aspects of supporting the ontological security, and to empirically investigate the attachment styles and coping strategies of individuals in early and middle adulthood. Methods. The article is based on an extensive review of the literature, which involves the use of such methods as interpretation (of previously unexplained psychological aspects of ontological security) and comparative analysis (of the views of Ronald Laing and family psychotherapists). An empirical study was conducted. The study group consisted of 90 persons: 45 male and 45 female, at the age of early and middle adulthood. The research used a number of psychological methods to study different types of attachments, relationships, personality traits and coping strategies that help overcome ontological insecurity. The method of statistical and mathematical analysis of results was also applied. Results. Ontological security is a marker of positive types of attachment. Our empirical research has shown that people with anxious attachment more often overcome ontological insecurity by positively rethinking the problem, which can lead to an underestimation of the possibilities of its effective solution. People with a reliable attachment are ontologically secure due to mutual trust, responsibility, problem analysis and planning, which eliminate escape strategies and problem avoidance. Conclusions. Ontological security-insecurity manifests itself in different types of attachments and corresponding coping strategies. The results showed the importance of developing and adapting the methodology of ontological protection for Ukrainian socio-cultural realities. This technique is being prepared to be operationalized with the scales of psychological techniques used in this study.

Versions of Pragmatic Liberalism: from Rorty back to Dewey

Aim. The aim of this study is to analyze and evaluate two versions of the theory of liberalism which emerged within the philosophical tradition of pragmatism: Richard Rorty’s “ironic liberalism” and John Dewey’s “renascent liberalism”. Methods. The study is based on: 1) comparative analysis, which shows the differences and points of contact between Dewey’s classical pragmatism and Rorty’s neo-pragmatism, in particular, between different versions of their liberal theories; 2) critical analysis, which made it possible to identify the shortcomings and advantages in the arguments of the above-mentioned philosophers. Results. The author analyzed Rorty’s and Dewey’s theories of liberalism in relation to their theories of reality, human specificity, and ethics. In this way, the specific liberal views of these American philosophers on such issues as the relationship between private and public, the main goals of politics, and the values of the social order were explicated. It allowed offering a thorough critique of Rorty’s “ironic liberalism”, and supporting of Dewey’s “renascent liberalism”. Conclusion. While Dewey saw the mission of liberalism in enabling individuals to improve their experience, Rorty insisted on the need for a liberal policy of providing the basic conditions for individual self-creation. The main disadvantage of Rorty’s neo-pragmatism, and, in particular, “ironic liberalism”, was the exclusion from the philosophy of the modifying tools of human behavior, which were expressed by the concepts of “good” or “virtue”, in Dewey’s “renascent liberalism”. This circumstance necessitates a return from Rorty back to Dewey in the discussions on pragmatic liberalism. Key words: philosophy of pragmatism, Richard Rorty, John Dewey, historicism, naturalism, liberalism.

Formation of sustainable development competencies in primary school children

Aim. The article provides a new solution to the problem of the formation of sustainable development competencies in primary school students. The objective of the article is to substantiate the method of forming sustainable development competencies in primary school students and to reflect it in the model. Methods. The main research methods are observation, test, interview, questionnaire, analysis of media works, expert evaluation, and pedagogical experiment. A set of diagnostic tools has been specified. Results and Conclusions. The efficiency of the developed technique has been proved with the results obtained from the experiment: the partnership of teachers, students and parents contributes to sustainability competencies formation; implementation of common areas of media education and education for sustainable development evidenced to feasibility of the research, namely: education in legal, economic aspects, creation of media products with a projection to sustainable development, learning critical perception of mass media information, sustainability goals orientation. Due to the introduction of the experimental methodology, the number of students with high (12.07%) and satisfactory (14.65%) levels of the key competencies in the field of sustainable development increased against the background of a decrease in the number of respondents with sufficient (12.93%) and low (13.79%) levels. Originality. Emphasis is placed on the features of the designed methodology: application of partnership pedagogy and pedagogy of empowerment, integration of education for sustainable development with media education, compliance with a number of pedagogical conditions, forms and methods.

The Analysis of Students’ Opinions about the Social Responsibility Of Ukrainian Universities

Aim. The paper is aimed to investigate the students’ opinion about the social responsibility carried out by higher education institutions (HEIs) in Ukraine. Nowadays social responsibility has become one of the key characteristics of modern HEIs. Ukrainian universities are trying to become 'civic universities', i.e., institutions which contribute to the development of the local community. The students, as key stakeholders of the university activities, also take part in this process. Methods. To investigate the social responsibility of the Ukrainian HEIs, the case study method is used in the present paper: the case of Mariupol State University and its social functions within the city are highlighted. The online survey was applied to investigate the level of students’ awareness of the university social functions and the role played by the university in the local community. Materials published by the university and the results of the survey have been analysed to test the hypothesis that students consider Mariupol State University to be a socially responsible university which cooperates with the local community. Results. The students’ opinion on the social functions carried out by Mariupol State University is that this local university has strong ties with the local community and authorities and perform its social mission. However, the social functions of the university, according to the students, are limited by teaching and research activities. Few students consider social responsibility of the university in a wider context. Conclusion. On the example of the MSU the paper shows that modern universities in Ukraine perform social functions and try to become truly civic universities to contribute to the development of the local communities in cooperation with different stakeholders. Nevertheless, students as a key stakeholder of the university activities still consider social responsibility of the university primarily aimed at teaching and research.

Organisational foundations of functioning of the Right-Bank Ukraine orthodox brotherhoods from the 1850s to 1900s

Aim. This research aims to reveal the peculiarities of standardization and organizational principles behind the functioning of Orthodox brotherhoods on the territory of Right-Bank Ukraine from the 1850s to the 1900s. Methods. Methodologically, the authors of the work rely on the principles of novelty, objectivity, and historicism and employ general scientific methods (internal criticism of the sources, analysis, synthesis, generalization). Results. The study revealed that during the second half of the 19th century, the activity of Orthodox brotherhoods on the territories controlled by the Russian Empire was regulated by the law “Basic Rules for the Establishment of the Orthodox Church Brotherhoods” which regulated the prioritized tasks, membership and main vectors of their work. At the beginning of the 20th century, some changes occurred in the social-political life of the Russian Empire, which also affected the position of the Orthodox brotherhoods of Right-Bank Ukraine. Conclusion. The church authorities devoted considerable efforts to revitalizing and restoring the activity of the Orthodox brotherhoods at the beginning of the 20th century. In order to find new solutions to the situation, they discussed the further functioning of the fraternities at the congresses in which participated the representatives of the Orthodox brotherhoods of the western provinces of the Russian Empire. Thus, the church management controlled brotherhoods and channelled them into the required course of action.

PSYCHOLOGICAL MODEL OF CIVIC IDENTITY FORMATION

Aim. The research aims to present the psychological concept of civic identity formation, namely author's view on the nature of civic identity, the stages and psychological mechanisms of civic identity formation. Methods. A system of general scientific methods was used: analysis and synthesis of the main provisions of research sources on the study of civic identity as a complex multidimensional personality formation, comprehension of the psychological foundations of civic identity, systematization and generalization of scientific provisions on the stages and mechanisms of identity. Results. It is proposed to consider civic identity as a kind of organizational identity, which is self-determination in the organizational environment of the state, as well as self-identification with the role of a citizen and is the primary psychological regulator of civic behavior. The main stages of civic identity formation are: perceptual-systemic, normative-community and individual-integrational. The main mechanisms of formation of civic identity are: internalization of stereotypes and attitudes of citizenship; imitation of models of civic behavior; individuation of the meanings (sense) of citizenship; exteriorization of stereotypes, attitudes and patterns of civic behavior; implementation of the experience of interaction with the state and fellow citizens; comprehension of one's own citizenship. Conclusions. Formation of civic identity (civic protoidentity – reproductive civic identity – productive civic identity) is a dynamic process that has staged nature as it involves a series of successive stages, at each of which civic identity undergoes qualitative changes and is formed as an individual's awareness and reflection of his/her place, role and degree of activity in the system of interaction with other citizens and the state.

WHAT IS THE RESEARCH IMPACT OF (THE IDEAL OF) SCIENTIFIC TRUTH?

Aim. This paper elucidates how the emergent impact agenda is slowly but surely changing the normative framework of modern Western science. Method. The paper investigates conceptually the implications of the impact agenda for the research process. We outline a chronology around the evaluation regime of research impact and identify the causal mechanisms that change the disciplinary structure of the research ecosystem. We draw upon a sociological model of scientific knowledge production to contrast and discuss how impact facts mimic the process of scientific knowledge production but are geared towards a different end. Results. Our findings indicate that an explicit emphasis on societal contribution not only propositions a different purpose of research, but also changes the logic of research along its entire construction. The impact logic mimics the creation of scientific facts; nevertheless, as it is geared towards a different end, it hermetically seals itself from criticism as any form of scrutiny would otherwise undermine its own legitimacy. Conclusion. We conclude that only explicit acknowledgement of the adverse potential of the impact agenda can maintain science’s benefit to society. We argue that an emphasis on the advancement of knowledge, as opposed to impact, can maintain innovation and preempt social tension. The contribution of this paper lies in identifying the societal influence of the scientific ideal of truth, and articulating the unintended consequences of the impact agenda as the emerging impact or starve paradigm.

Educational priorities in a post pandemic world

This article attempts to bring together the most important educational priorities which should be taken into consideration when planning education in a world recovering from a pandemic. Some of the priorities discussed here should have already been taken into account during the 20th century, whilst others are completely new and result from changes that have come about in the 21st century, such as increased arrogance, ignorance, authoritarianism, educational insecurity, contempt for nature, confusion and the promotion of the lies under the name of post-truth . The authors propose a holistic approach to the education process, focused on priorities. In turn, the definition of those priorities should result from the most important problems that affect humanity.