Contemporary Educational Trends Research Articles

The Importance of Epistemological Reflection in the Pedagogical Act: Pedagogical Paradigms in Light of the UNESCO Report on the Futures of Education

In this essay, the importance of epistemological reflection in the educational context is emphasized in light of the 2022 report from the International Commission on the Futures of Education (CIFE) by UNESCO. I argue that teachers play a crucial role in students' skill development, highlighting Trindade & Cosme's (2016) pedagogical paradigms as fundamental for understanding and implementing the report's recommendations. Additionally, the essay addresses possible epistemological misconceptions in contemporary educational trends, such as post-critical curriculum theories and methodological innovations related to technology. Mindful of profit-driven motives, I underscore the significance of the communication paradigm in aligning discourse with educational practices, ensuring that students develop a wide range of skills while being encouraged to pursue their interests. Epistemological reflection is presented as a vital tool to avoid blind activism and promote critical engagement in education, in line with Paulo Freire's ideas about transforming the world through education. Overall, the essay highlights the need to balance pedagogical approaches and underscores the importance of epistemological reflection in guiding more effective and meaningful educational practices.

Education as a necessity of life: An exploration on Ugandan Education System Quality with reference to John Dewey's Philosophical Correlates

AbstractEvery country desires and aspires for an education system that caters for learners’ physiological needs, belonging, love, self‐esteem, security and self‐actualisation at the top, which are rarely provided by a few countries. With a review focus on the Ugandan education system, several challenges related to the education borrowing suggestions as proposed by John Dewey have been attributed to creating an environment that has seen most graduates ending up unemployed, and with leadership challenges, inadequate funding, poor teacher perception, low research and innovations in higher institutions of learning, less involvement of the informal sector in development, low literacy levels, political interference among others. Thus this exploratory analytical‐qualitative review focuses on John Dewey's teachings in his book Education and Democracy—specifically chapter 1, ‘Education as Necessity for Life’—with attention on how education as an engine that empowers life, ensures independence through self‐reliance, sustenance, freedom, and is syndrome‐free to enhance appreciation of the contemporary trends in education—critical aspects that are extremely lacking within the current Ugandan education system and can impact on the future of education to the future of education as recommended in National Development Plan III (NDP III). Thus the review recommends that while reflecting on the state of the Ugandan education system, there is a need to revitalise the research and innovations in higher institutions, especially catering for an integral‐education system with a focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from primary school to university, involvement of the informal sector through skills education as proposed by the Ugandan Vision 2040 and NDP III, as well as addressing low literacy levels and providing adequate teaching and learning through quality and balanced funding from all relevant government agencies and development partners.

Dual form of education within the framework of contemporary educational trends in Ukraine

As a result of the reforms carried out in our society, great changes are taking place in the education system. Taking into account the prospects and priorities of the economic development, modern equipment and technological trends, the urgent problem is the fundamental improvement of the quality of personnel training necessary for the industries and sectors of the economy. Existing work experience of an employee is highly valued by companies, so its absence is the main obstacle for those who are looking for a job for the first time. Many young people fall into a vicious circle: they cannot find their first job, cannot get a job, because they do not have work experience. The practice of mentoring has a large-scale impact on promoting youth employment and is one of the main reasons for reducing youth unemployment. Purpose. The main goal of the research is to study the peculiarities of the organization of the educational process in the conditions of dual education of students. Methodology. Research methods can be divided into two categories – theoretical ones: systematic analysis, synthesis, generalization, analysis of philosophical, pedagogical, psychological, methodological and technical issues related to the research problem, and experimental ones: observation, conversation, monitoring, survey and testing, pedagogical experiment. Innovative methods are introduced into the research process; they are used during lectures, seminars, practical classes, business games, projects, simulation modeling of problem situations, thematic conferences with the participation of employers. Despite certain shortcomings, the dual system of training is one of the successful models of cooperative training and production, which can be used as an innovative type of organization of targeted training. Findings. The work considers the main aspects of the organization of specialist training in the conditions of interaction between educational institutions and enterprises. After all, the organization of the training process at the enterprise according to the dual form of obtaining education is aimed at the formation of special knowledge, abilities and skills necessary for the performance of qualified professional activities. Originality. The authors considered the concept of the development of the system of dual-form education in Ukraine in modern conditions, which takes into account the historical chronology of the formation of this process, formalizes individual stages and initiates the principles of planning the future development of this domestic system in institutions of higher education. Practical value. The results of this study can be applied by scientific and pedagogical teams of educational institutions of higher and vocational education, as well as by representatives of employers who implement a dual education system.

The Dynamics of Coordination Ability Development in Middle School Students through Object-Based Active Games in Physical Education Classes

Physical education classes in modern Ukrainian schools play a crucial role in ensuring students' physical development and health, as well as in shaping their overall physical and sports awareness. Contemporary trends in education facilitate the exploration of new forms and means of conducting physical education classes and the enhancement of existing ones. The purpose of this article is to investigate the development dynamics of coordination abilities in middle school students when using mobile games with objects during physical education lessons.
 Mobile games are an essential component of student's physical development and can serve as a means of relieving stress while effectively enhancing physical qualities. The use of not only standard equipment (balls, gymnastic sticks, jump ropes, hoops) but also non-traditional items (air balloons, boards, etc.) adds emotional depth to the lessons and increases interest in physical education. The research conducted revealed a positive shift in coordination ability indicators for both boys and girls as a result of using mobile games with objects during physical education classes.
 In boys, the likely improvements were observed in the ability to assess and regulate spatial-temporal and dynamic parameters of movement (p<0,05), the ability to maintain vestibular stability (p<0,05), the ability to maintain balance (p<0,001), movement coordination ability (p<0,001), and rhythmic activity ability (p<0,001).
 For girls in the experimental group, coordination ability indicators exhibited likely improvements in differentiating spatial- temporal parameters of movement (p<0,05), the ability to maintain vestibular stability (p<0,01), the ability to maintain balance (p<0,001), movement coordination ability (p<0,001), and rhythmic activity ability (p<0,001).
 In conclusion, the use of mobile games with objects during physical education classes for middle school students contributes to the development of their coordination abilities.

The Degree of "Darsak" Distance Learning Platform ‎Contribution in Developing Self-Learning ‎Skills Among Secondary Stage Students at Irbid City ‎During the "Covid-19" Pandemic‎

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the degree of ‎‎"Darsak" distance learning platform contribution in developing ‎self-Learning skills among secondary stage students at Irbid ‎city during the "Covid-19" pandemic. The study sample which ‎chosen by available way consists of (536) students from ‎secondary stage school in Irbid Gasapa directorate of education, ‎during the second semester of academic year (2020/2021). To ‎achieve the objectives of the study, a questionnaire consisted of ‎‎(34) items was prepared. The validity and reliability of the ‎questionnaire were verified. The results of the study indicated ‎that the degree of "Darsak" distance learning platform ‎contribution in developing self-Learning skills among ‎secondary stage students at Jordan during the "Covid-19" ‎pandemic showed a low degree. The results also showed that ‎there were no statistically significant differences in the degree of ‎‎"Darsak" distance learning platform contribution in developing ‎self-Learning skills which might be attributed to gender. ‎Moreover, there were statistically significant differences in the ‎degree of "Darsak" distance learning platform contribution in ‎developing self-Learning skills which might be attributed to the ‎grade, in favor of the first secondary class, and the location, in ‎favor of villages. The study recommended to Promoting of self-‎learning culture as one of the modern learning methods and ‎contemporary educational trends.‎ ‎(Keywords: "Darsak", Distance Learning Platform, Self-‎Learning Skills, "Covid-19" Pandemic)‎

Exploring the power of imagination: unravelling students’ self-perception of academic abilities in imaginative and traditional schools in Greece

ABSTRACT While contemporary trends in education emphasise the primacy of economic and technological competencies, imagination often finds itself under-valued. This is particularly true in Greece, where alternative schools encounter numerous challenges, some arising from discrimination. Imaginative teaching employs imagination-based teaching methods to support and enhance the development of children’s and adolescents’ physical, social, emotional and cognitive skills. This study explores the effects of imaginative teaching methods on students’ abilities by examining 103 Greek students’ self-perception of them. The abilities correspond to eight constructs, as described by Howard Gardner in his Multiple Intelligences (MI) theory. Prior research has hinted at the potential correlation between these imaginative teaching strategies and MI educational applications. The Multiple Intelligences Developmental Assessment Scale (MIDAS) was used to assess the 8 MI constructs and 24 associated skills. Statistically significant results show that students having imaginative-based education have a higher estimation of their language and intrapersonal skills. Further research is needed to move forward from assessing the self-perception of students’ abilities to assessing their actual skills.

Educational trends of 2023 in the field of physical training and education of teaching staff

The article concerns the detailed investigation of contemporary educational trends of 2023 in the field of physical training and education of teaching staff. The notion of education trends was defined as prospective changes within the educational environment and it was found that these trends are oriented towards enhancement of the quality of education and solving the existing challenges. We proved that realization of educational trends in the field of physical training and education of teaching staff requires the consideration of contemporary ideas about training of future specialists of physical culture and sports in pedagogical theory and practice. It was revealed that innovative changes in the field of physical training and education of teaching staff may occur at the different levels like content, using of pedagogical instruments, assessment, organization of educational process. We differentiated educational trends that are typical for 2023. They are the following: transition to distance learning; using of information and communication technologies; realization of interdisciplinary links; implementation of innovative pedagogical technologies; improvement of assessment; creation of inclusive educational environment; building of secure educational environment. The article analyzes the positive changes in the field of physical training and education of teaching staff. It was found that implementation of these educational trends makes physical training and education of teaching staff more efficient and helps to prevent a number of challenges arising due to external or internal factors. Also, the research explains the main peculiarities of realization of educational trends in order to enhance the efficiency and results of higher education.

Issues and Trends in Contemporary Education

Innovation management; as well as organizations in general, public and private, deserve a continuous analysis and follow-up of the variables of the external context that impact them. In this sense, it should be noted that educational agents are the ones who do the innovation and hence their management and direction play a key role. Education professionals, more than ever, need to know how to come to understand and comprehend the complexity of what external variables mean and their impact on educational work. Next, a model and method for its follow-up is presented. It is an invitation to know and take possession as agents of change in the practice of creativity and innovation, without neglecting at any time, the impact of the external context of the school, as it occurs in the Dual Mode (school-company relationship). The school as a quality school organization and educational innovation represent two areas called to be properly related, carefully analyzed, strategically planned and encouraged for their joint development. The relationship between the school as a quality school organization and educational innovation has to be seen and justified both at the level of theoretical argumentation and in the functioning and institutional life of schools as educational spaces both in it and in the company when applying Dual mode. It has to be projected, in time, in the articulation of the educational policy of a country and in the school practices that occur in the classrooms. I believe that in our country this double task is yet to be accomplished. So far we have not managed to develop a solid tradition of pedagogical thought that has adequately explored the mutual implications between school quality and innovation as an educational process.

Issues and Trends in Contemporary Education

Innovation management; as well as organizations in general, public and private, deserve a continuous analysis and follow-up of the variables of the external context that impact them. In this sense, it should be noted that educational agents are the ones who do the innovation and hence their management and direction play a key role. Education professionals, more than ever, need to know how to come to understand and comprehend the complexity of what external variables mean and their impact on educational work. Next, a model and method for its follow-up is presented. It is an invitation to know and to take possession as agents of change in the practice of creativity and innovation, without neglecting at any time, the impact of the external context of the school, as it occurs in the Dual Modality (school-company relationship). The school as a quality school organization and educational innovation represent two areas called to be properly related, carefully analyzed, strategically planned and encouraged for their joint development. The relationship between the school as a quality school organization and educational innovation has to be seen and justified both at the level of theoretical argumentation and in the functioning and institutional life of schools as educational spaces both in it and in the company when applying Dual mode. It has to be projected, in time, in the articulation of the educational policy of a country and in the school practices that occur in the classrooms. I believe that in our country this double task is yet to be accomplished. So far, we have not managed to develop a solid tradition of pedagogical thought that has adequately explored the mutual implications between school quality and innovation as an educational process.

Issues and Trends in Contemporary Education

Innovation management; as well as organizations in general, public and private, deserve a continuous analysis and follow-up of the variables of the external context that impact them. In this sense, it should be noted that educational agents are the ones who do the innovation and hence their management and direction play a key role. Education professionals, more than ever, need to know how to come to understand and comprehend the complexity of what external variables mean and their impact on educational work. Next, a model and method for its follow-up is presented. It is an invitation to know and take possession as agents of change in the practice of creativity and innovation, without neglecting at any time, the impact of the external context of the school, as it occurs in the Dual Mode (school-company relationship).The school as a quality school organization and educational innovation represent two areas called to be properly related, carefully analyzed, strategically planned and encouraged for their joint development.The relationship between the school as a quality school organization and educational innovation has to be seen and justified both at the level of theoretical argumentation and in the functioning and institutional life of schools as educational spaces both in it and in the company when applying Dual mode. It has to be projected, in time, in the articulation of the educational policy of a country and in the school practices that occur in the classrooms.I believe that in our country this double task is yet to be accomplished. So far we have not managed to develop a solid tradition of pedagogical thought that has adequately explored the mutual implications between school quality and innovation as an educational process.

Issues and Trends in Contemporary Education

Issues and Trends in Contemporary Education

Menadžment u predškolskom obrazovanju i institucijama

Contemporary trends in education have stimulated the existence of numerous competences and skills among preschool institutions. For years, those competences and skills were not implied nor required as special with the goal to improve learning and to motivate the education and upbringing of children. Such circumstances especially require the management in education. The purpose is to organize the work in the best manner so that human and material resources in the institutions are applied in the most appropriate manner. The manager in preschool institutions take care about the planning, setting goals, work organization, assignment delegation, motivation and engagement of the employees as well as administrative and financial plans of the organization. Persons with such skills are needed in the institutions for earliest upbringing and education of the youngest. That is especially noticeable in the countries which are in the development and transition process, like the Republic of Serbia. The paper represents the importance of management in education, its benefits and requirements for its development. This paper also signals that many employees of the preschool institutions require managerial competences. The paper represents certain hurdles which may appear, as well as the flaws in the system of preschool upbringing and education which can be overcome successfully with the work of a manager. The constant cooperation and communication at all levels is emphasized.

The philosophy of performance -based evaluation and grading standards in light of contemporary educational trends in some courses at the faculty of physical education

The study aimed at identifying the philosophy of performance-based evaluation and grading standards between the formative and summative evaluations in some theoretical and applied courses in the Faculty of Physical Education for Boys. The researcher used the Meta-analysis curriculum and the descriptive curriculum. The study sample included a number of faculty staff and students of different years. The most important results were the existence of a difference in the philosophy of performance-based evaluation and grading standards, and the study also proved the latest contemporary educational trends in the philosophy and standards of grading in the field of physical

تطوير التنمية المهنية لمعلمات اطفال الدمج بمرحلة رياض الأطفال بمحافظة المنيا في ضوء الخبرة الامريکية The Requirements for professional development of female teachers for inclusion in kindergarten stage in the light of contemporary educational trends

The current research aims to reach The Requirements for professional development of female teachers for inclusion in kindergarten stage in light of American Experience, through benefiting from the trends and experiences of some developed countries in this field such as (the United States of America), and the research has relied on the descriptive approach to achieve this, Where the study sample consisted of (350) teachers, and in order to achieve the goal of the research, a questionnaire was constructed to assess the availability of professional development requirements for inclusion children’s teachers. The results indicated that the requirements that contribute to achieving the professional development of teachers of inclusion children in kindergarten are not met. therefore, some recommendations and proposals were presented that contribute to activating the professional development of the teacher of inclusion children.

The use of the community of inquiry survey in blended learning pedagogy for a clinical skill-based module.

The primary aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the blended learning pedagogy in a clinical skill-based module using the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework. The secondary objectives were to assess the effectiveness of blended learning in improving the nursing knowledge, and students' satisfaction with this approach. Blended learning is increasingly adopted in education as more online resources are made available for tutors to use for the benefit of their students. That implied a reduction in the face-to-face contact time in replacement for online teaching, which therefore warrants a need to examine the effectiveness of blended learning approach. The application of CoI framework could evaluate the blended learning approach to assist teaching faculty with evidence-based practices on online teaching. This study used the quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest design, and results were presented according to the Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Nonrandomised Designs (TREND) guidelines. This study was conducted in a university and recruited 219 Year 1 nursing students who completed a clinical-based module. The results of the CoI survey found that teaching presence scored the highest mean, followed by cognitive and social presence. The design of the blended learning was effective in enhancing students' knowledge but they only expressed a moderate level of satisfaction. Blended learning is a feasible pedagogical strategy for a clinical skill-based module. However, further investigation is required to explore the factors and strategies which could improve students' satisfaction. Blended learning has become one of the contemporary trends in education. Refining teaching strategies may meet the learning needs of today's generation and improve students' learning outcomes.

El "aula invertida" como metodología activa para fomentar la centralidad en el estudiante como protagonista de su aprendizaje

Los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje en los títulos universitarios y, especialmente, en los títulos de Grado, están evolucionando hacia una mejora de los contenidos digitales y el uso de plataformas de aprendizaje y gestión académica. En este sentido, las "aulas invertidas" o “flipped classroom” consisten en darles la vuelta a las clases tradicionales con el fin de convertir al alumnado en protagonista activo de su aprendizaje. En la asignatura del segundo curso del Grado de Maestro/a de Educación Primaria denominada Tendencias Contemporáneas de la Educación se ha implementado esta metodología. El objetivo de este trabajo consistió en realizar un pilotaje en dicha asignatura y evaluar el grado de satisfacción del alumnado sobre dicha metodología. Para ello, se utilizó el cuestionario de percepciones de los estudiantes sobre la clase invertida (Gilboy et al., 2015). Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que los estudiantes prefieren participar en clase a través de la realización de trabajos activos y grupales que una clase tradicional. La aplicación de este modelo didáctico favorece un mayor aprovechamiento del tiempo en el aula, el uso de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación y la colaboración entre estudiantes, la motivación y la centralidad en el alumnado como protagonista de su propio aprendizaje.

Ludicidade aplicada em Ambientes Virtuais de Aprendizagem

O resultado do avanço e democratização das tecnologias digitais de informação e comunicação (TDIC) possibilitou a ampliação de tendências educacionais contemporâneas como a utilização de ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem (AVA) e a educação a distância (EAD). Todavia, a implementação deste recurso educação online ainda tem, pela frente, grandes desafios, entre eles, o de engajar, envolver e motivar ações dos alunos no ambiente. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste artigo é refletir sobre a utilização da ludicidade em ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem. A pesquisa evidenciou que a ludicidade aplicada a ambientes virtuais poderá possibilitar o enriquecimento das situações de aprendizagem, desde que seja bem planejada e implementada de forma sistemática considerando o contexto no qual o aluno está inserido. Por fim, acredita-se que a estratégia de utilizar a ludicidade em AVA poderá melhorar a eficiência de processos de aprendizagem na educação a distância.

Конкурентоспособное образование в третьем тысячелетии: quo vadis?

The 21st century competition has proved to become an educational rivalry. International leader and competitive champion will be the nation that will catch the new global trends in contemporary education and adequately modernize its training of personnel system. The article is aimed at demonstrating the newest tendencies in education sphere that have arisen in the latest years. The review of the empirical investigations, statistical data and theoretical concepts can forecast future development of education models under globalization and digitalization. The latest decades have demonstrated radical changes in labor market all over the world. The participation rate of low educated employees has significantly declined. The majority of labor force now have education (bachelor/master degree). The gap in wages between low- and higher-educated workers has also risen. What factors can explain the education premium? The viewpoints of Gary Beсker and Michael Spence are nowadays far from adequately explaining the education-related bonus dynamics. In a global digitalized economy the benefits from education lie mostly in public good nature of learning. Value of education is considered to be not only in economic terms (like productivity and income) but also in terms of its major contribution to social, political, religious and cultural life of the society. Education transforms personal tastes, values and preferences towards healthier and more ecologically friendly alternatives. As education, especially higher education, is becoming a kind of a merit good for all, new roles for a teacher have occurred. The educator now is not a monopolistic provider of information. Rather, he is a consultant and a tutor in a system of relationships where students are treated as equal partners in the educational process. Can online education fully substitute class learning? Empirical data does not provide evidence for giving a positive answer. The existence of peer effect means that effective education advances can be achieved only under personal (offline) interactions between peer students and teachers. Competitive education nowadays represents a special model of social relationships. It is not just a contact of a student with an object, whether the latter be virtual or real. Basically, it is a dialogue between two parts with equal rights, a teacher and a student, and its inner intensity depends on personal communication face-to-face.

Look and see: Optical technology and disciplinary mechanisms in Topps Trading Cards, 1948-1952

In this article I examine trading cards produced by Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. in the United States in the decade following World War II. I focus on how these cards functioned as mechanisms of discipline, through the practices associated with collecting, as well as through their content and use. Cards reflected contemporary trends in education and behavioural science. In addition, they utilised what I term optical technology to entice children to buy. This came in the form of rudimentary optical tricks that emulated scientific and technological developments associated with wartime. I argue that in doing so, these cards brought children into the nascent military-technological complex, and provided a way to view the world in hierarchical terms through optical science.

The Extent to Which Kindergarten Female Teachers in Jordan Practice the Skills of Developing the Educational Morals and Ethics System in Children According to Contemporary Educational Trends

The study aimed to identify the extent to which kindergarten teachers in Jordan practice the skills of developing the educational morals and ethics system in children according to contemporary educational trends. The study sample consisted of 71 female teachers who filled the questionnaire and 28 female teachers for observation purposes in Jerash for the academic year 2017/2018. The study followed the descriptive analytic methodology using the tools of questionnaire and observation. The study results showed that - from the point of view of the teachers - the highest practice is the affective emotional skill with a statistical average of 3.88. For the benefit of the private sector teachers, the most common skill according to the questionnaire paper is Cognition/Intellectual field with a percentage of 29.45%.