Polish Primary Schools Research Articles

Children between 9 and 13 years old as internet users

The paper presents the new new media as a contemporary and dominant space in children's lives. Most children begin to use the Internet when they are a few years old, for example, while watching cartoons. The online world can be both an opportunity and a threat to young users. The aim of the research was to determine whether children's growing interest in the Internet has a limiting impact on traditional ways of communication with peers and whether the increasing use of social networking sites by children is determined by the fear of exclusion from their circle of peers. The study was conducted with the use of an online survey distributed among children from the third, fifth, and seventh years of two Polish primary schools. The results include several conclusions regarding children's contact with the new media and their peers. The study showed that the majority of primary school pupils are regular users of the new new media, and their interest in new technologies increases with age.

New realities for Polish primary school informatics education affected by COVID-19

In the paper, the authors discuss the first research effort to explore the transition from traditional teaching into distance teaching in Polish primary schools enforced by COVID-19. The first research question was addressed to primary school students and was dedicated to furnishing them with ICT equipment for crisis-prompted distance informatics learning. According to the obtained results, almost all Polish students during the pandemic have a technical opportunity to participate in distance learning and to use digital devices to develop their digital competences. Hence the second research question was addressed to the experts, demystifies whether the accessibility and the availability of ICTs could increase students’ informatics learning outcomes in out-of-school primary education settings. The obtained results reveal the significant importance of out-of-school informatics education in pandemic time. Moreover, in the first wave of pandemic, distance informatics education had the same or similar effect as if students learn informatics by themselves, without school lessons and teachers’ support. The obtained results should strengthen teachers and school leaders in making informed decisions during the shift into distance informatics education. Also, by investigating participants’ informatics learning outcomes and teacher preparedness and choices when implementing distance education, authors hope that the study may be helpful for policy-makers with the progressive changes in education and government support for informatics, especially in Poland, in making informed decisions to aid the transition into distance education as well as developing preparedness plans for future pandemics.

Teachers' mental health during the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland.

BackgroundTeaching work is stressful, moreover during the pandemic teachers’ stress might have been intensified by distance education as well as by limited access to social support, which functions as a buffer in experiencing stress. The aim of the research was to investigate the relation between distance education and teachers’ well-being, and their close relations and other social relations during the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThe research was conducted in two stages on 285 Polish primary and secondary school teachers who were recruited by means of the chain referral method. The following measures were used: The Depression Anxiety & Stress Scales-21, Berlin Social Support Scales, The Relationship Satisfaction Scale and The Injustice Experience Questionnaire.ResultsThe teachers experienced at least mild levels of stress, anxiety and depression, both during the first as well as the second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. It has been confirmed that there is a negative relation between relationship quality change and social relations quality change, and stress, anxiety and depression. The variables taken into consideration in the research have provided the explanation for the variation of stress—from 6% in the first stage of the research to 47% in the second stage; for the variation of anxiety—from 21% to 31%; and for the variation of depression—from 12% to 46%, respectively.ConclusionsThe research results show that due to distance work the distinction between professional work and family life might have been blurred, and as a consequence teachers’ well-being could have been worsened. The isolation put on to stop the spreading of the virus might have contributed to changes in social relations, in close relations in particular, and at the same time negatively influenced teachers’ abilities to effectively cope with the crisis situations.

The Buffering Effect of Spirituality at Work on the Mediated Relationship between Job Demands and Turnover Intention among Teachers

The purpose of this study was to examine whether spirituality at work moderates the direct and indirect (through burnout) effects of quantitative and emotional job demands on turnover intention among teachers. The sample consisted of 952 Polish primary and secondary school teachers. Burnout mediated the relationship between both types of job demands and turnover intention. In the model with quantitative job demands as an independent variable, spirituality at work moderated the second stage path of the indirect effect, i.e., the relationship between burnout and turnover intention (b = −0.022; SE = 0.004; p < 0.001; β = −0.14). In the model with emotional job demands as an independent variable, spirituality at work moderated the first and second stage paths of the indirect effect, i.e., the relationship between emotional job demands and burnout (b = −0.001; SE = 0.001; p = 0.032; β = −0.05) and the relationship between burnout and turnover intention (b = −0.020; SE = 0.004; p < 0.001; β = −0.14). In both models, the indirect effect of job demands on turnover intention through burnout weakened as spirituality at work increased. The results of the study support the inclusion of spirituality at work as a subcategory of personal resources in studies using the job demands-resources model.

The System of Defence Education System for Polish Youth After 1989 and Its Transformations

The objective of this article is to describe the system of defence education for Polish youth after 1989 and its transformations. The article indicates that in Polish primary and secondary schools today, the subject of security education is taught, and in some high schools – especially in Certified Military Uniformed Classes – the subject of military education is taught as well. Among students, however, the defence curriculum is taught mainly as part of extra-curricular activities, mainly within the Academic Legion and Passport Programme. On the basis of the research strengthening military potential is supported by the defence education of young people. The exploration underlined that achieving the defence objectives outlined by the programmes of the Ministry of National Defence in agreement with the Ministry of National Education. The study used the diagnostic survey research method and the techniques of content analysis, a questionnaire, interviews, and observations. The article conluds recommendations for security education curriculum.

On the Rocky Road to Independence: Big Five Personality Traits and Locus of Control in Polish Primary School Students during Transition into Early Adolescence.

This article reports the results of a survey of 455 Polish primary school sixth-graders experiencing changes in the education system. The goal of the study was to identify the relationships between the Big Five personality traits, measured with the picture-based personality survey for children (PBPS-C) and locus of control, determined using the locus of control questionnaire (LOCQ). The results lead to the conclusion that primary school students do not have an established locus of control of either success or failure. There are also no significant differences between boys and girls in the way they interpret the causes of situations and events that happen to them. Boys, compared to girls, scored significantly higher on traits related to seeking and enjoying the company of others. On the other hand, girls exhibited significantly higher levels of traits responsible for increased anxiety than boys. The personality traits that correlated the strongest with locus of control were Conscientiousness, Openness to Experience, and Agreeableness. A regression model showed that locus of control of success was significantly affected by two traits: Extraversion and Conscientiousness. Locus of control of failure was significantly predicted by Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness (positively), and Neuroticism (negatively). Regression model with gender as a moderator of relationships between personality traits and locus of control turned out to be insignificant.

Development of central auditory processes in Polish children and adolescents at the age from 7 to 16 years

There are discrepancies in the literature regarding the course of central auditory processes (CAP) maturation in typically developing children and adolescents. The purpose of the study was to provide an overview of age – related improvement in CAP in Polish primary and secondary school students aged 7–16 years. 180 children/adolescents, subdivided into 9 age categories, and 20 adults (aged 18–24 years) performed the Dichotic Digit Test (DDT), Duration Pattern Test (DPT), Frequency Pattern Test (FPT), Gap Detection Test (GDT) and adaptive Speech-in-Noise (aSpN). The 12-year-olds was retested after w week. We found the age effects only for the DDT, DPT and FPT. In the right ear DDT the 7-year-olds performed more poorly than all groups ≥12. In the left ear DDT both 7- and 8-year-olds achieved less correct responses compared with the 13-, 14-, 15-year-olds and with the adults. The right ear advantage was greater in the 7-year-olds than in the 15-year-olds and adult group. At the age of 7 there was lower DPT and FPT scores than in all participants ≥13 whereas the 8-year-olds obtained less correct responses in the FPT than all age categories ≥12. Almost all groups (except for the 7-year-olds) performed better in the DPT than FPT. The test-retest reliability for all tests was satisfactory. The study demonstrated that different CAP have their own patterns of improvement with age and some of them are specific for the Polish population. The psychoacoustic battery may be useful in screening for CAP disorders in Poland.

Experimental cognition of the world by children. Unexploited opportunities of Polish Primary Schools

School, particularly primary school, plays a special and unique role in education. It joins teachers and students together, in order to show children and youths the complex reality of the world. Educational processes implemented in the following institution can reflect knowledge transmission or can be based on transaction models. Education is stimulating, experimental and exploratory as it guides students to the world of forming questions, searching for answers and developing conclusions. Unfortunately, this model is rather uncommon in Polish primary schools. This publication presents how experimenting, used by teachers, could introduce 7-year-old students in the first grade of primary school, into the world of knowledge and natural science competence. It also shows how experimenting affects the level of students’ education and natural science competence. The research aimed for describing methods of experimenting with first grade students in science education as well as explaining the connection between applying experiments in science education and students’ level of skills and knowledge. The research used a method of pedagogical experiment - quasi-experimental testing based on initial and final measurement using practical tests. The study included 307 primary school first-graders. The studies have established that there are dependencies between experimenting in science education as well as knowledge and skills level among the first grade primary school students, taking into account subjects’ gender. At the end, conclusions were also drawn regarding the possibilities for more extensive use of experimentation in Polish schools.

The Role of Social Networks in the Psychosocial Functioning of Students in Selected Polish Primary Schools

The Role of Social Networks in the Psychosocial Functioning of Students in Selected Polish Primary Schools

Understanding emergent teaching and learning practices: iPad integration in Polish school

The appearance of tablet technology in the classroom is considered an obvious modernisation milestone. In the last few years school professionals in Poland have made large investments in digitalisation, especially through one to one model (1:1), using digital devices such as tablets. Researches on tablet technology integration in school classrooms convince that digital technologies are closely related to the discourse of educational change. What really changes when digital technology is used in the classroom? This is a driving question for the present study. This research contributes knowledge and new insights into learning and teaching practices in two classrooms in a Polish primary school that were observed over a longer perspective of three school semesters. The design of teaching and learning with tablet technology was explored using the didactical design framework. This perspective focuses on both teachers’ practices and students’ learning activities in the classroom and how tablet technology is integrated into teaching and learning practices. Although the research project was performed on a small scale, it can be defined as one that documents the changes to learning and teaching practices happening in the traditional educational culture of the school under analysis. These changes were identified through the data collected by means of classroom video ethnography (63 teaching hours of recording) and follow-up interviews (18) with classroom’s teachers. The analysis resulted in three distinct maps of emergent teaching and learning practices and a series of conflicts and tensions teachers experience in their everyday tablet-mediated teaching practices. The findings point out that tablet technology integration needs the alignment of the classroom pedagogy - technology relationships.

The International Self-Report Delinquency Study (ISRD3) in the Research Areas of the Białystok School of Criminology

On March 24, 2017, the Faculty of Law of the University of Białystok entered into a collaboration agreement with the Central Coordinating Team of the International Self-Report Delinquency Study (ISRD). Te Białystok School of Criminology is currently the only Polish representative participating in ISRD3. Te ISRD study addresses a wide range of issues examined by the Białystok School of Criminology, which launched its research work in 1994. The Białystok School of Criminology conducted its contribution to the ISRD3 research project in June 2017, in Białystok and Rzeszów, two Polish cities, regional capitals of their respective voivodeships. Each of these cities has a population of approximately half a million. The survey was conducted among pupils in their sixth year at a Polish primary (elementary) school (i.e. aged 12+) and in their first or second year at a Polish middle school (the 14+-16+ age group). In addition to the standard content prepared by the ISRD3 CCT, respondents filled in a questionnaire with questions intended to identify local levels of risks such as grooming or sexting. The results of the Polish ISRD3 study will help to diagnose various risks and will be compared to the results obtained in other countries participating in the project. The project’s added value will be the opportunity to develop appropriate preventive and educational programs for the schools in Białystok and Rzeszów which took part in the survey

Mediators of the relationships between shyness and school achievement and fluid intelligence in school-age children

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to understand the relationship between shyness in school-age children and variables such as teacher perception of school achievement, fluid intelligence and self-efficacy in various areas of functioning. The participants were 466 Polish primary school children (boys n = 239, girls n = 227; M age = 9.55 years, SD =.9). Shyness was negatively associated with school achievement as reported by teachers, fluid intelligence, and self-efficacy. Results from mediation analyses demonstrated that self-efficacy in learning mediated the relationships between shyness and school achievement and fluid intelligence. In addition the relationship between shyness and school achievement was also mediated by the self-efficacy with respect to self-control in school and social situations. The results indicate that shy children’s relatively low school achievement and low scores in various standardised tests may be the result of personality differences, e.g. in self-efficacy. Future studies are needed to explore the relationship between shyness and self-efficacy.

Does the Use of Electronic Gradebooks Affect Schooling Outcomes? A Study in Polish Primary Schools

The purpose of this study was to determine whether, in the context of Polish primary schools, the use of electronic gradebook raises teaching effectiveness and has altogether any observable educational effects when compared to older, paper forms of record keeping. Our analyses use data from a survey conducted in 2010-2015 on a nationwide representative sample of 4,500 students from 171 primary schools. Because the electronic gradebook was not yet widely used in Poland at that time, data from this period can be used to analyze the problem stated in the title. The key tools used in our research were standardized school achievement tests and scales examining a student’s emotional integration with the school, quality of peer relations and academic self-concept. Measurements were taken after the completion of grades 3 and 6. The results of intelligence tests and indicators of the economic and social status of the student’s family were considered as control variables. Statistical analyses were performed using hierarchical linear regression models. No significant correlation was revealed between the form of the school gradebook and teaching effectiveness in reading, writing or math. Only one of the educational effects included in the study was significantly related to the form of the school gradebook: the use of an electronic form correlated negatively with the level of students’ academic self-concept. These results show that the consequences of introducing this type of e-record into schools are more complex than previously considered.

School architecture for primary education in a post-socialist country: a case study of Poland

ABSTRACT The present educational paradigm, fundamentally unchanged since the 19th century, does not meet 21st-century educational needs. This paradigm shift must be accompanied by a strong educational architecture that fosters the skills needed for 21st-century success including creativity and cultural awareness. The present study investigates the primary school architecture of post-socialist Poland, tracing its evolution and asking whether its issues apply universally. A comparative review of representative primary school buildings illustrates that their developmental progress has been superficial, as only external forms have been adjusted. The standard spatial arrangement of the traditional corridor and classroom layout has remained stagnant. This layout is oversimplified, inflexible in design, and works against learner-centred pedagogies that stress diversity and multiplicity. This article highlights the inadequacy of Polish primary school spaces for 21st-century educational needs. The results indicate that this is a universal problem since corridor and classroom layouts are widely applied in all Western countries.

Drama Techniques as Correlators of the Level of English Language Speaking Anxiety

Introduction. The study aims to investigate what factors strengthen and weaken personal speaking anxiety. With the use of selected standardized surveys, the research examines how drama techniques affect a learner’s level of English language speaking anxiety. Materials and Methods. The research group includes 17 Polish primary school learners who attended drama classes and prepared two performances in English for other learners and their parents. The questionnaire with the stated research questions was applied, and the data ob tained were statistically analyzed. Results. The research results show that the learners participating in English drama classes had a lower level of speaking anxiety than those who did not practice drama at all. As to the learners´ English language proficiency, the level of speaking anxiety dropped with the rise of academic level. No significant difference was observed either in the level of speaking anxiety between male and female participants or in the level of speaking among learners of different age. The impact of drama techniques implemented into the English language classes is discussed in the study. The research results indicate the influence of drama techniques on the reduction of the level of speaking anxiety. The decrease is very noticeable that should inspire teachers to use drama techniques while teaching a foreign language, especially speaking skills. The analysis also indicates a close correlation between drama classes and the inc reasing level of English proficiency. Discussion and Conclusion. The topic of the article is to meet the interest of foreign language teachers and learners, would-be teachers of the English language.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN EATING HABITS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

The aim: The study aimed to assess the association between the physical activity level and eating habits of primary school students. Material and methods: 139 children attending one of the Polish primary school or football school were included. The research tool was author's anonymous survey. Results: The high physical activity level was observed in 34.1% of boys and in 8.8% of girls. As the level of physical activity increased, the consumption of vegetables and fruits also increased. Whole grain bread, coarse-grained groats, whole grain pasta and brown rice were more popular among students with a high physical activity level. The greater the physical activity, the greater the amount of water drank by students. The consumption of sweets, fast food, and ready-made meals, such as frozen pizza or Chinese soup, decreased with increased physical activity. The choice of healthier substitutes for unhealthy snacks was declared by students with moderate or high physical activity level. There was no correlation between BMI and age and the physical activity level. Girls were less active than boys. Conclusions: More active physically children had better eating habits and were more aware of healthy eating principles than less active people.

Niewerbalny obraz Rosji i Rosjan w pracach plastycznych polskich uczniów kl. VII-VIII szkoły podstawowej

In order to obtain information on images of Russian culture rooted in the consciousness of Polish primary school students of grades VII-VIII starting formal learning of the Russian language in school conditions, a study was conducted. The method used was the analysis of documents (also called, inter alia, analysis of products, analysis of children’s and teenagers’ own works). For this purpose, research material was collected in the form of intentional documents - 100 posters made by Polish primary school students of grades VII-VIII. Particular attention was paid to the non-verbal image of Russia and Russians recorded in the minds of Polish youth. The results were used to reflect on the level of cultural competence of students beginning to learn Russian as a second modern language. It turns out that the image of Russia according to those who start learning the Russian language is usually stereotypical, and knowledge about Russia’s inhabitants is usually basic. The results also showed that a two-year period of learning a foreign language in school settings requires teachers to introduce more diverse cultural content in order to prepare students for intercultural dialogue.

Absolwent ośmioletniej szkoły podstawowej. Projekt wpisany w tekst podstawy programowej

The preamble of National Core Curriculum for Basic Education in Poland presents main aims, for example guiding to the values, teaching skills of communication, active participating in culture. However, the analysis of the part devoted to the subject of Polish tongue and culture shows there is contradiction between declaration and strict requirements. The created by Curriculum pupil who ends the education at the Polish primary school mainly is an expert equipped in opulent knowledge on language and literature, not skilled and responsible user of communication and participant in culture. As an opposed model, we can present the Finnish National Curriculum where knowledge is subordinated to practical skill.

Determinants of influenza vaccination uptake among Polish school teachers

Abstract Background School settings place teachers at risk for influenza infection. Polish National Immunization Program recommends influenza vaccination (IV) for this occupational group. The study objective was to assess teachers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding IV, to determine 2018/2019 uptake and factors influencing the IV receipt; this has never been performed before in Central/Eastern Europe. Methods Between March-April 2019 teachers from 5 randomly selected primary schools (2 urban, 3 suburban) in West Pomerania, Poland, were surveyed with the use of the self-administered, anonymous questionnaire. Results Response rate was 50.1%. Among 102 respondents (68.6% females, mean age 45.7 years, mean length of practice 20.3 years), 31.4% were chronically ill. Only 4.9% reported getting the 2018/2019 IV, 8.8% were willing to be vaccinated in the next season. Of the respondents getting the 2018/2019 IV, only one also re-ported getting the 2017/2018 vaccine. The most common source of information about the IV were: family doctor (55.9%) and TV (68.6%). Beliefs that the IV was not effective (40.2%%) and concerns about the side effects (19.6%) were the most common reasons for not getting it. Only 44.1% of respondents believed teachers have heightened risk of contracting influenza. Regarding preventive methods, 83.3% teachers pointed at social distancing, 65.7% - at frequent handwash-ing, 65.7% - at vaccination; 38.2% believed that drinking tea with lemon could prevent influenza. More than a third of teachers (38.4%) thought influenza infection is always symptomatic. Older age was the only factor independently associated with IV receipt (p < 0.05). Conclusions Influenza vaccination coverage among Polish primary school teachers is disturbingly low. Future education strategies encouraging teachers to immunize themselves against influenza should tackle misconceptions about the IV and increase awareness. Interventions related to maximizing IV uptake should focus especially on younger teachers. Key messages This preliminary study showed that influenza vaccination coverage among Polish primary school teachers urgently needs improvement. Teachers should better understand the importance of influenza vaccination as a significant preventive measure and realize their role in infection prevention and transmission at the school setting.

Where the geographical expanse ends – Space education in primary school. Implementation of inquiry based science education (IBSE) in geography lessons in Polish school

Abstract Inquiry based science education has been more and more popular strategy in teaching sciences in recent years. Transregional pressure put by international, standardized knowledge and skills tests (e.g. PISA) to converge curricula (Rundgren 2015) of different European states paradoxically helps to promote the open inquiry method which involves the student in the teaching process. Earlier research done in many countries such as Turkey, Israel, Sweden, The Czech Republic (Heinz et al. 2017), Ireland (Dunne et al. 2013) or The Netherlands (Uum van Martina et al. 2016) shows the increase of interest in IBSE both in Europe and in the world. Teaching geography in Polish primary schools follows international educational trends. This study analyses several proposals of educational activities connected with Space which support geography teaching. All of them are conducted with using open inquiry method, which is recommended in New National Curriculum of geography (Core Curriculum, 2017, Geography-classes V-VIII).