What Is STEM Education

The article discusses the essence of STEM learning – its occurrence, definitions and skills that it develops in students. Based on a survey among Bulgarian teachers, an analysis of their knowledge and understanding of the occurrence and applicability of STEM training in the Bulgarian school was made.

Decorative Drawings in Rhythmically Organized Drawings, as a Form of Building Motor Skills and Feelings of Coherence in Preschool Children

When creating decorative drawings, preschool children build stylized forms – elements and ornaments, rhythmically connected in decorative compositions. The use of rhythm as the main mean of expression is the basis for the improvement of controlled motor skills, which are a necessary condition for the construction of written speech. Developing a sense of coherence between the individual elements and connecting them into a single whole is the challenge in building a decorative composition. The use of an exact number of decorative elements and their logical and rhythmic alternation in the composition help to build a sense of coherence and perfection in the decorative drawings of preschool children.

Spices and Digital Competence in the Education in Mathematics and Information Technology

In this article is presented the usage of a dynamical software product, with which can be created applets concerning the world of spices. The dynamical product allows experimenting with the parameters of the objects, their positions, colors etc. Today’s information technology can be used in different areas of knowledge and motivate the students. The application of GeoGebra in the educational process can help the development of digital competences.

Application of the Web 2.0 Technologies Podcast and Vidcast for Formation and Development of Listening Comprehension Skill in an Extended Englishtraining Course in Eighth Grade

Low levels of listening comprehension skills in English is observed in many students. As a specific method, which can both cover mobile technologies and combine them with training, is the application of technology for podcasting and vidcasting/vodkasting. Podcasts and podcasts can provide authentic, up-to-date and easily accessible material, making them extremely useful when learning foreign languages. Their application makes learning freer and independent by introducing more interesting elements; gives greater freedom and independence to participants in the lesson. Students can listen to the material on the bus or while going to the gym.

Application of Problem Situations for the Development of Learning Skills in the Study of Natural Sciences

The problem situation is one of the ways to form general learning skills in the study of natural sciences. It provides an opportunity to apply the individual approach, choosing a path for making a final decision and full personal development of the student. This article reviews the nature of the problem situation and learning skills, presents a classification of species and offers an example of use in teaching biology and health education - 7th grade to develop the skill of comparison. The article aims to guide teachers in the logical structure for creating a problem situation and the requirements for the content of individual elements. An option for linking it with a specific educational content is also shown.

Transformation of Teaching Pedagogical Practices in Higher Education in the Situation of Covid-19 (Based on the example of transforming academic practices in the Pedagogical Faculty of the Thracian University)

When COVID-19 pandemic hit Bulgarian education was in the middle of its reform. Health requirements, the long lockdown, have expelled a huge surge of the need not only for a survival but also for the preservation and transformation of education. Education on all levels including higher academic education took quick steps to reorient to online learning. In a short time, university electronic platforms became the daily place for learning. This online reorientation has led to a number of changes in teaching models, online learning management and more. Practically all methodologies and methodologies that the pedagogical students get acquainted with have been rewritten. It is in this direction that the article traces the challenges facing higher education and examines an empirical study of the attitudes of student educators trained in an online environment.

Parents’ Attitude Towards the Conditions and the Organization of the Educational Process

The article presents how parents evaluate the school, their views on the relationship between their children and the teachers. The family and the school are the two main factors for children's education and they influence learning, personal and social growth of young people. Conclusions are presented based on a survey conducted in early 2020 explaining the perceptions, views and attitudes of parents towards the educational process in a particular school.

Exploration of Pyramids with Equal Edges to Overcome Misconception

A misconception related to the use of a non-existent figure in a task is presented. An opportunity for research work related to this problem is presented. Computer models have been created to provide conditions for self-formulation of hypotheses related to the existence of an n-gonal pyramid with equal edges. The computer models are developed with dynamic GeoGebra software. Variants for manipulatives are indicated, an illustration is made with magnetic manipulatives. Ideas for using research results to create 3D printed models are described.

Game with Central Symmetry on a Rectangular Board

A game with central symmetry on a rectangular board, created with Unity3D, is presented. It is available for both PC and Android with mixed reality. The purpose of creating the game is to provide conditions for the development of digital and mathematical competence in students through play in both formal and non-formal learning. Four options are described, depending on the presence or absence of animation, as well as the limitation of working time.

Short Trainings on The Use of QR Code

A basic short training framework for using QR code with different user groups is presented. The key points of the training program with teachers and students of technical sciences are described. Some interesting editing options for users when working with this type of application are listed. Some of the results of surveys on the degree of digital competence of users to read, create and edit QR codes are given. Some professional use of QR codes and some daily activities are discussed.