Higher Education Institutions In Lithuania Research Articles

Student support and motivation in online learning: evidence from pilot online course implementation

Teaching and learning in a virtual environment bring many changes in the implementation of study content. During online learning, the number of hours of contact learning between the lecturer and students decreases, more attention is paid to students’ self-study. Students lose the opportunity to receive informal emotional support from the academic staff and fellow students, and the sense of community and belonging to a higher education institution decreases. The research presented in the article aims to reveal students’ opinions about students’ support and their motivation during online studies while implementing a pilot online-taught study course. The research was conducted under the Erasmus+ project “Quality of Virtual Studies”. Students from four higher education institutions in Lithuania, Spain, Croatia, and Finland participated in implementing the pilot online learning course. Study courses taught remotely were designed based on the quality assurance criteria for virtual studies developed during the project. Students studied the pilot online-taught study course for three months. They completed questionnaires about their online learning experience twice: before and after they started participating in the course. The study results reveal that the most important source of support for students during online studies is communication with the lecturer. It was established that most students’ support during remote studies is provided by the following means: personal video or email from the lecturer, clear structure of the course studied remotely, clear procedures of the study course, and pre-announced hours of remote consultations with the lecturer. The study reveals that students are most motivated during online studies by receiving feedback from the lecturer, the interest of the academic staff in students’ motivation and motivational tools, a clear study plan of the course studied, the variety of innovative computer technology tools used during online studies, and the contribution of the lecturer, promoting cooperation between learners.

Mental Health among Higher Education Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey from Lithuania.

Mental health issues—anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and behavior—are prevalent among students of higher education. The COVID-19 pandemic further affected students’ daily life through academic and socioeconomic disturbances. We set out to investigate students’ mental health amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and conducted a cross-sectional online survey at higher education institutions in Lithuania in 2021. The questionnaire consisted of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) and the Sense of Coherence scale (SOC-3) questionnaires, evaluation of suicidal risk, experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and self-rated health status (SRHS). Among 1001 students who completed the survey, the prevalence of clinically relevant anxiety was high (46.6%) and contrasted with the lower prevalence of depression (11.1%). 37.5% of all students admitted that they had thought about suicide at least once during their lifetime and a similar number of students thought about suicide during the previous year. High levels of anxiety and depression were statistically significant predictors of suicidal ideation and planning during the past year in binary regression models. High SRHS (higher score refers to more positive health status) was the only significant independent variable associated with less frequent suicidal attempts in the past year (p < 0.01, OR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.12 to 0.66). Our study highlights anxiety and suicidality to be burdensome mental health issues among higher education students in Lithuania during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Doctoral Students as Future Teachers at Universities: Factors Related to Professional Identity

Abstract Doctoral students’ professional identity in higher education institutions is a relevant field of research in the context of education for sustainable development. Higher education institutions face the following challenge: it is very important for the Doctoral students to develop the skills of the researcher during their studies; however, the competencies of the teacher are crucial in order to become part of the higher education institution. Thus, sustainable development of teacher’s professional identity of Doctoral students plays a meaningful role in retaining gifted young scientists at higher education institutions. The article analyzes the psychological, social and academic environmental factors that are important for identification of the teacher’s professional role during Doctoral studies. The sample of the study consisted of 494 Doctoral students from 22 higher education institutions in Lithuania. The study was conducted using Teachers’ Professional Role Identity Scale, Big Five Inventory, Social Support Questionnaire and two scales compiled to measure academic environmental factors. The results revealed that Doctoral students’ external thinking style, personality traits of extraversion and conscientiousness, perceived support of family and friends, material conditions for internships and conferences and other academic environment factors are significant for Doctoral students’ identification with the teacher’s professional role. These results have practical application for Doctoral students’ satisfaction with studies, productivity and career management. This is important for the seeking sustainable development goals of higher education.

Psychoactive substance use and preventive trends in higher education institutions in Lithuania

This paper focuses on the analysis of psychoactive substance use situation and preventive trends within communities of HE institutions in Lithuania. The researchers used a questionnaire, thus applying the quantitative research method. The research results: strong alcohol drinks among students of HE institutions are not popular; the respondents used psychoactive substances for the first time while still at secondary school; more than one tenth of the respondents indicated having driven a vehicle while under alcoholic intoxication at least once over the last 12 months. The alcohol, tobacco and other psychoactive substance use situation among students could be related to psychosocial factors: the possibility to relax, to reduce stress, to experience pleasure, to overcome boredom and to communicate. The results of the survey reveal an imperative to start a discussion about the formation and implementation of preventive measures against psychoactive substance use within communities of Lithuanian HE institutions.

Doctoral students’ professional identity: Psychosocial antecedents of those who work in practice

The main goal for doctoral student is to acquire the identity of a researcher. However, doctoral student also performs other professional roles, such as a teacher or practitioner. The purpose of this paper is to reveal the psychological and social factors that are important for the practitioner’s role identity of doctoral students. The sample consisted of 494 doctoral students from 22 higher education institutions in Lithuania. Internet survey was conducted. The analysis of structural equation modelling revealed that perceived support of family and friends, conscientiousness and lower neuroticism are important for practitioner’s role identity. In addition, if a doctoral student has a tendency to experience negative emotions (sadness, anger, guilt, etc.), a greater perceived support from employer helps to internalise the professional role of a practitioner. This study has practical implications for doctoral students, organisers of doctoral programmes, career counsellors, employers and universities. Keywords: Professional identity, doctoral student, practitioner, role identity

STUDENTŲ VERSLUMO IR KARJEROS KRYPČIŲ SĄSAJOS SU LIETUVOS REGIONŲ VERSLUMO LYGIU

Žmonių ištekliai yra svarbūs užtikrinant regiono konkurencinį pranašumą. Tačiau Lietuvos regionų verslumo ir aukštųjų mokyklų absolventų karjeros pasirinkimų sąsajos dar mažai moksliš-kai nagrinėtos. Straipsnyje siekiama rasti ryšį tarp studentų verslumo, jų karjeros krypčių pabaigus studijas ir šalies regionų, iš kurių studentai yra kilę. Apklausoje sudalyvavę 413 įvairių šalies aukš-tųjų mokyklų studentų buvo suskirstyti į grupes pagal kilmės regiono verslumo lygį – aukštą, vidu-tinį, žemą – ir šios studentų grupės buvo palygintos pagal aukštosios mokyklos ir studijų pasirinki-mus, pačių studentų ir jų šeimų santykį su verslu bei regionų pasirinkimus karjerai pabaigus studi-jas. Tyrimas parodė, kad kilmės regiono verslumo lygis neturi reikšmingo poveikio studentų karje-ros pasirinkimams: aukštosios mokyklos ar studijų programos orientacija į verslumo ugdymą nėra lemiantis karjeros krypties pasirinkimo veiksnys; šeimos verslo, kuriame studentai įgyja verslo pradmenų, modeliai gana panašūs skirtingo verslumo lygio regionuose; didžioji dalis studentų po studijų norėtų likti mieste, kuriame studijuoja, o tai dažniausiai sutampa su aukštu verslumo lygiu.

UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE TEACHERS' ATTITUDES TOWARDS WEB 2.0 TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR USE FOR TEACHING ENGLISH FOR GENERAL AND SPECIFIC PURPOSES

The present small-scale study investigated Lithuanian university and college teachers’ attitudes towards Web 2.0 technologies and their use in the process of teaching English for general and specific purposes (ESP). It also analysed the teachers’ ability to use these technologies as perceived by the teachers themselves and aimed to establish which technologies they use in the process of teaching English, including ESP. A sample of 39 university and college teachers of English from five higher education institutions in Lithuania participated in the present study. The data were collected from their responses to the questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and correlational statistics. The results revealed that most teachers have a positive attitude towards Web 2.0 technologies in general as well as towards their use for teaching English for general and specific purposes. The findings also showed that the majority of the study participants view themselves as proficient or moderate users of digital environments available at their institutions, however, their ability to use educational technologies, such as RSS, the software of social bookmarking and image sharing, as well as blogs and vlogs, for teaching English is limited. Key words : Web 2.0 technologies, teachers’ attitudes, General English, English for Specific Purposes, higher education

Studies of Vilnius Residents in Higher Education Institutions in Lithuania, Poland and Western Europe during I half of XVII c. – XVIII c.

Straipsnyje aptariamos miestiečių studijos gimtojoje Vilniaus akademijoje, Karališkojoje Prūsijoje buvusiose Gdansko, Elbingo ir Torunės gimnazijose, Branevo seminarijoje, Krokuvos, Karaliaučiaus, Ingolštato ir Paduvos universitetuose. Be studijų vietos ir metų, aptariami ir kiti svarbūs aspektai: padėtis miesto visuomenėje, religinė priklausomybė, išvykų į užsienio mokymo įstaigas skaičius, mokslinių laipsnių įgijimas, pasirinktų studijų kryptis ir įgyta profesija, studijavusių miestiečių tolesnis likimas.

Studies of Vilnius Residents in Higher Education Institutions in Lithuania, Poland and Western Europe during I half of XVII c. – XVIII c.

Studies of Vilnius Residents in Higher Education Institutions in Lithuania, Poland and Western Europe during I half of XVII c. – XVIII c.

The adoption of ISO 9001 standard within higher education institutions in Lithuania: innovation diffusion approach

This paper is the first which explores ISO 9001 standard adoption in higher education institutions (HEIs) based on an innovation diffusion approach. According to innovation diffusion theory, the characteristics of an innovation, as perceived by the members of a social system, have a positive or negative effect on the adoption (rational choice) of innovation. This study aims to answer the following questions: first, how ISO 9001 standard is perceived by the adopters when making a decision to adopt the standard within HEIs in Lithuania; second, what the effect of perceived innovation (ISO 9001 standard) characteristics (complexity, compatibility, observability, relative advantage, cost, adaptability and duration) is on its adoption. The study includes all HEIs in Lithuania (25) that have used the requirements of ISO 9001 standard in their quality management systems (QMSs). We found that perceived compatibility, relative advantage and adaptability of ISO 9001 standard have a positive effect; meanwhile, its cost and duration have a negative effect on the adoption of ISO 9001 standard within HEIs in Lithuania, and perceived complexity and observability of ISO 9001 standard have no effect on its adoption. A practical implication for HEIs is that institutions seeking to implement ISO 9001 standard successfully in their QMSs should identify and consider these characteristics. An appropriate understanding of potential adopters of ISO 9001 standard may have a positive or negative effect on its adoption. Results of this study provide managers of HEIs with a better understanding of the characteristics of ISO 9001 standard (as an innovation).

Sustainability reporting in the higher education sector – Case study of Lithuania

The subject of sustainability reporting in higher education is relevant in multiple areas: employment, education, organisational change, responsibility. However, there is a lack of such research in emerging markets, as sustainability reporting is typically voluntary and funding is constrained in these countries. This paper presents research on sustainability reporting in Lithuanian higher education institutions (eleven universities, six higher university schools, and 23 colleges). The research methodology employed utilised analysis of disclosure sources and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) indicators analysis. Research results showed that higher education institutions disclose sustainability information mainly for promotional and marketing reasons, targeted at the main stakeholder - current and future students. It was found that sustainability information is usually integrated in websites and performance reports; only one institution issues a separate sustainability report. Thus, sustainability reporting is not utilised as a separate theme within a communication strategy, and the opportunity of disclosing the social responsibility of higher education institutions in Lithuania is currently not exercised.

Professional Education And Training Of Physicians At The Lithuanian University Of Health Sciences: The Opinions Of The Luhs Graduates

Abstract The increasing significance of science and more intensive cooperation with foreign partners create favorable preconditions for the education and training of good specialists. In view of the renewal of specialty knowledge and the possibility to read the most recent scientific literature in a foreign language and to participate in international conferences with foreign partners, it has become relevant to educate specialists capable of cooperating in scientific and subject-oriented activity when freely communicating in several foreign languages. However, currently, many higher education institutions in Lithuania are reducing the number of hours in the professional foreign language modules. Still, despite the continuous reduction of the hours allocated for foreign language learning, the requirements for the quality of knowledge are actually increasing. For this reason, the teacher faces a problem of how to help a student internalize the required professional knowledge within a short period of time. The aim of the study was to reveal the peculiarities of the expression of integrated practical classes in professional language studies at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU). In search of new possibilities for professional language learning, integrated professional language classes were used for students learning medicine in Lithuanian and a foreign language. During these classes, medical issues were analyzed. The study on the learning process in the integrated professional language classes at the LSMU was carried out in 2014. Data for this quantitative study were collected by using a written survey. The studied population consisted of 2nd- and 3rd-year students of the LSMU Faculty of Medicine. The results of the study conducted at the LSMU when teaching the Professional Language module showed that integrated practical classes of professional language positively influenced the students’ learning and facilitated students’ empowerment for successful professional language studies. The students positively evaluated the contents of the integrated classes, the methods used, and the teachers’ competence. The students’ opinion about the application of the elements of PBL during integrated professional language classes was also favorable. The students were willing to try something new and to learn languages by drawing schemes and maps, discussing medical issues, analyzing problems, and searching for answers to the arising questions.

Adults' Difficulties in the Process of Learning Outcomes Portfolio Development: Consultants' Perceptions

Recently, a number of higher education institutions in Lithuania have started introducing validation of non-formal and informal learning, which requires adopting necessary institutional legal acts, establishing the procedure which ensures that assessment meets quality requirements, training administrative and teaching staff, and creating mechanisms of guidance and support to adults. Until now, little known research has focused on institutional guidance and support provided to adults and the perceptions of institutional participants in the process. The purpose of this study is to examine consultants’ perceptions of difficulties that adults encounter in the process of learning outcomes portfolio development before the assessment procedure of their non-formal and informal learning in four higher education institutions. The findings revealed that adults faced time constraints, difficulties related to identification and documentation of their learning outcomes, as well as difficulties due to the novelty of the procedure and adults’ personal characteristics. It is recommended that this study be extended to the investigation of difficulties that consultants encountered in the process of providing guidance and support to adults.

THE IMAGE OF A HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION, ITS STRUCTURE AND HIERARCHICAL LEVEL: THE CASE OF THE VILNIUS UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF ECONOMICS

The aim of higher education institutions has been recently broadening, which in turn fostered the competitiveness in attracting students, teachers and financing. Unmistakably, higher education institutions are able to attain these goals only via constant improvement of study quality. Nevertheless, the swelling scale of competition at the country’s and international levels in the higher education sector highlights the image of a higher education institution as another considerable factor.This article presents a specified concept of the image of an organization. This concept is specified while considering the peculiarities of higher education institutions; based on it, the conception of a higher education institution’s image is characterized, its main typologies are distinguished, a structural model and hierarchical levels are presented. The theoretical premises are supported by a student survey of the Faculty of Economics of Vilnius University, one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in Lithuania.

Studijų kokybės sistemos kūrimas ir valdymas

Straipsnyje nagrinėjamas studijų kokybės sistemos kūrimas ir valdymas Lietuvos aukštųjų neuniversitetinių mokyklų - kolegijų pavyzdžiu. Patikslinta studijų kokybės samprata vadybos požiūriu. Pasitelkus lyginamąją analizę įvertinti kolegijų pasiekimai kuriant ir valdant studijų kokybės sistemą. Išanalizuota tarptautinio standarto ISO 9001 : 2000 taikymo kolegijose galimybės ir patirtis. Nubrėžtos tolesnės studijų kokybės sistemos plėtros gairės, pateikiami pagrindiniai kokybės valdymo sistemos diegimo etapai.