State Border Guard College Research Articles

TENDENCIES OF BORDER GUARDS EDUCATION SYSTEM QUALITY IN LATVIA

The novelty of the research is related to the need of Latvia as a member of the European Union and the Schengen area to continuously improve the requirements of vocational education, competence and professional qualification of border guards. The main objective of the research is to summarize the views of border guards on the positive achievements of the existing education system and the shortcomings detected for further improvement of the education system of border guards. The aim of the research is to summarize the views of border guards on the necessity of the vocational education including practical classes and training courses in the education system and possible solutions for further improvement, as well as the development of profession standards in a new quality and to develop cooperation between EU countries and neighboring countries to obtain knowledge and practical skills. The method of legal analysis was implemented by analyzing the requirements of the normative regulation concerning the professional qualification of border guards, the historical analysis method was used to explore the evolution of the professional education of border guards in the historical aspect, as well as the survey (questionnaire) method performing the survey of border guards of different educational levels has been performed. The research uses legal analysis, historical and survey methods. As a result of the research valuable information has been obtained that will serve to improve border guards profession and education standards. Since October 2017, the Rēzekne Academy of Technology continues to implement the long-term studies initiated by the European Regional Development Fund's Postdoctoral Research Support Project "EU External Border Security, Latvia's Internal Security" No. 1.1.2 / VIAA / 1/16/127. The cooperation partner of the project is the State Border Guard College.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF BORDER GUARDS IN PROFILING PERSONS

The author of the paper explores the content of the qualification improvement course “Profiling, Interviewing, Identification” implemented in the State Border Guard College of the Republic of Latvia, the questionnaires given to the course participants in order to develop the guidelines for more effective training of border guards in the field of profiling and provides his point of view, taking into account training on profiling delivered in national and international context and level. The paper is aimed to identify the possibilities of improving the border guards’ professional background in performing profiling in line with the current socio-economic, political and migration trends in Europe and in the world. The research was done in the State Border Guard College of the Republic of Latvia and several Central Asia region countries. For this purpose analysis and evaluation of documents, scientific, pedagogical and psychological literature was performed and suggestions for the improvement of border guard training system in the field of profiling were compiled. The author concludes that the current SBGC lecturers` level of proficiency allows to develop and implement any length and content qualification improvement course in the field of profiling. The author recommends to develop a micro-learning approach, namely by creating a variety of short video training materials. Development of profiling methodological instructions at the central level of the State Border Guard would lead to the increase of profiler (border guard) activities efficiency in performing service duties and would allow to operate with profiling related terms, procedures and activities.

POSSIBILITIES OF DEVELOPING INTERACTIVE E-LEARNING SYSTEM FOR BORDER GUARDS TRAINING IN THE STATE BORDER GUARD COLLEGE OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA

Efficient use of educational technology and digital learning possibilities has always been the strategic area of high importance in border guards training at the State Border Guard College of Latvia. Recently, issues related to training during the Covid-19, have spurred and revived the discussion, topicality and practical need to use the potential of e-learning opportunities which brought up unexpected, additional, previously unsolved, unexplored, challenges and tasks to border guards training. New opportunities and challenges for trainers, learners and administration of training process both in online communication and learning administration contexts. In order to find out and define further e-learning development possibilities at the State Border Guard College the authors of this research explore the scientific literature on the current research findings, methodologies, approaches on developing interactive e-learning systems in educational contexts, particularly within the sphere of law enforcement. Based on scientific literature research findings authors put forward suggestions on improving the e-learning systems for border guards training.

SELECTION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF PERSON PROFILERS IN THE STATE BORDER GUARD OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA

The effectiveness of profiling depends directly on the professional skills of the employee – profiler. The special attention should be paid to the selection and training of profilers. Profiling is a matter of state, public or company security and it is not acceptable that accidental person enters the profilers’ community. The aim of the paper is to identify the possibilities of improving the profiler candidates selection system and their professional preparedness in line with current socio-economic, political and migration trends in Europe and in the world. The research was done in the State Border Guard College of the Republic of Latvia. For this purpose analysis and evaluation of documents, scientific, pedagogical and psychological literature was performed and conclusions about the necessity of profiler selection and preparedness processes development were summarized.The author brought forward conclusion that with strict selection criteria and future qualification raising possibility - the special position held – profiler, should be established.

Lecturers’ Role in Design and Implementation of E-Learning Processes

The potential of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is playing increasing role in various pedagogical contexts. The necessity to integrate technologies in learning enhances educators’ digital competences is constantly highlighted in education policy documents European Union and national strategic documents and recommendations. Following the advance of digital technologies, the State Border Guard College of Latvia is constantly looking after innovations in ICT and education contexts. Since 2011 Specialized English language e-learning course for border guards is being implemented, other professional e-learning courses are being systematically introduced, currently 8 specialised qualification courses are available, on average 300 border guards graduate e-learning courses annually. Having in mind the continuous advancement of ICT in education contexts as well as the strategic approach of the State Border Guard College to continue the development of e-learning systems author of this article intends to describe the system of e-learning used in border guards’ training, explore and summarize the theory and best practices on using ICT in pedagogical context, educators’ roles in development and implementation of e-learning courses.

THREAT TO THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION CAUSED BY THE TRANSFER OF AN OFFICIAL IN THE EDUCATION INSTITUTION OF THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR

The leader of organization, his competence and the policies he pursues with regard to the management of the organization play an important role in the achievement of the goals of any institution, including educational. The leader has a direct influence on the performance of employees in order to achieve the goals of the organization. In the Ministry of the Interior, however, the officials responsible for achieving the goals of educational institution are appointed in the interest of the service.The aim of the research is to determine the impact of the transfer of officials in the interests of the service on the achievement of educational objectives in the professional training of border guards.The study was conducted in the State Border Guard College using scientific, pedagogical and psychological literature analysis and evaluation and document analysis research method. As a result of the study the author brought forward conclusions that the biggest threats to the quality of education and to the achievement of the goals of educational institution in the system of the Ministry of the Interior is transfer of official in the interests of the service ignoring their competence in educational knowledge’s. To avoid threats to the quality of education, proposals were developed.

NECESSITY OF THE STATE FOSTERAGE IN THE MILITARIZED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Due to today's complex and changing geopolitical situation in the State Border Guard College as one of the militarized educational institutions it is important to promote the student's understanding of values and virtues, enrich their historical and cultural experience, strengthen their patriotism, belonging and loyalty to the constitution and to the Republic of Latvia. Patriotism can’t be defined because it varies according to the subject's position. It is not a specific ideology, but this is a love of native land and defending it in words and in works. Patriotism means to love own country not just idolize the state symbols. Aim of the study is to clarify and scientifically substantiate the necessity of introducing the study subject “State Fosterage” into studies of border guards at the State Border Guard College as one of the militarized educational institutions and to determine the development of students' statehood consciousness, loyalty and patriotism as one of the study programs objectives at the State Border Guard College. For this purpose analysis and evaluation of documents, scientific, pedagogical and psychological literature were performed and conclusions about the necessity of introduction of the State Fosterage subject and possibilities of patriotism development were summarized.

INCREASING OF THE STUDY PROCESS ORGANIZATION EFFICIENCY IN MILITARIZED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION

The correct organization of the study process serves as a basis for the development of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in students. The present paper explores the specificity of the study process organization in the militarized educational institution with hierarchy, discipline and one way communication. Therefore, the study process and pedagogical work is diverted into a second place, thereby reducing their effectiveness. The aim of the research is to perform a study of the professional training system of border guards to detect the factors that influence the training system and to determine the possibilities to improve and increase the organization and efficiency of the study process in the State Border Guard College. In order to explore the possibilities to increase the organization and efficiency of the study process, questionnaires for the teachers were created and factors that influence the professional training system of border guards were detected. The author brought forward the conclusion that increasing the organization and efficiency of the study process in militarized educational institution is not possible without correct and planned organization of the study process, giving priority to the study process, reducing the involvement of the students in internal service duties, and applying "subject-subject" communication in the implementation of professional and general education courses.

TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGES FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES: CHALLENGES, PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Teaching a foreign language for specific purposes concentrates on the specific needs of the learners, focusing more on language in context and on the course participants` need to acquire a set of professional skills and particular job-related functions. The process of teaching foreign languages in a professional higher education institution is a unique and differs in many aspects, it is directed and addresses immediate and very specific needs, moreover the trend of educational paradigm nowadays is the competency building approach which in turn involves the development of learners` ability to apply existing knowledge and skills in order to solve specific practical work –related problems. The paper is the result of personal professional teaching experience as well as it contains theoretical analysis of teaching foreign language for specific purposes as well as authors reveal the current challenges that teachers encounter in the process of teaching language for specific purposes in the State Border Guard College of the Republic of Latvia.

ENHANCING ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY IN THE IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSE “BORDER CHECKS AT A ROAD BORDER CROSSING POINT”

English language proficiency is one of the competences Latvian border guards should have in order to communicate successfully with persons who wish to travel and reside in the Schengen area. The present article is a survey of the in-service training course on basic English professional terminology “Border checks at road border crossing points” which has been developed and implemented in the State Border Guard College of the Republic of Latvia. The survey was carried out in the period from September 2015 until April 2018 and focused on the analysis of the course development process and results of its implementation. Based on the results of the questioning, the participants of the course and their own observations the authors put forward suggestions for possible improvements of the quality of the course and border guards English language training.

PECULIARITIES OF TEACHER- STUDENT INTERACTION IN E-LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

While implementing e-learning courses at the State Border Guard College of the Republic of Latvia, the author of this article has discovered several differences in communication between students compared to traditional learning. Since the e-learning is going to expand in the future it is essential to explore theoretical and practical concepts on teacher student interaction peculiarities in e-environment. The author has gathered suggestions and proposals on best practices of teacher student interaction in order to improve e-learning outcomes. The goal of the article is to explore the peculiarities of the interaction between teachers and students in e-learning environment and provide suggestions on improving the efficiency of teacher-student interaction in e-learning.

OPTIMIZATION OF THE STUDY PROCESS ORGANIZATION IN THE STATE BORDER GUARD COLLEGE

The present paper explores specificity of educational process in the State Border Guard College as a militarized educational institution. It is specific and implementation of educational process in such institution is not possible without the successive and continuous organization of the study process. The correct organization of the study process and scientific content of the training program serves as a basis for development of the students' theoretical knowledge and practical skills and its structural and content organization is essential for the implementation of a qualitative educational process. The aim of the research is to identify the possibilities to improve the structural and content based organization of the study process of the State Border Guard College in order to facilitate the achievement of the goals set by the border guard training process. The study was conducted in the State Border Guard College using scientific, pedagogical and psychological literature analysis and evaluation and document analysis research method. The author brought forward conclusion that the structural and content study process improving in the State Border Guard College can be achieved by changing professional border guard training course program (1 month) and professional further education study program "Border Guarding", study subjects and their succession.

PERSPECTIVES ON DEVELOPING E-LEARNING AT THE STATE BORDER GUARD COLLEGE OF THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA

The authors of this article describe the development process of e-learning system at the State Border Guard College, depict theoretical and practical concepts, peculiarities of e-course’s development. Suggestions and proposals on e-course development and improvement based on the experience gained during e-learning course development and administration supported by survey results are given in the conclusion of this article in order to facilitate the improvement of e-learning systems in other law enforcement agencies.

Analyze of Communication Processes in State Border Guard College

<p>Communication is the activity of delivering <a title="Information" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information">information</a> through the exchange of thoughts, messages or information. The most popular type of communication in militarized educational institution is downward communication. State Border Guard College is militarized educational institution with hierarchy, discipline and one way communication. The predominant educational approach is the classical pedagogy. But a system, where pedagogue only transfers information and the student – receives it, could not be called as independent-personality developing. The aim of this research is to find out students thoughts of ongoing communication processes in State Border Guard College. For this purpose was carried out the survey. The result was processed by the data processing programs and performed content analysis. For the improvement of Border Guard training system were drawn conclusions.</p>

The Verbal and Non-verbal Communication in Professional Training of Border Guards

<p>The main objective of organizations is to achieve goals. Achieving goals is not possible without successful communication in work environment. Verbal and non-verbalcommunication plays an important role in border guards professional training. The present paper explores the nature of verbal and non - verbal communication in organization, problems in communication process between persons who are involved in it. The paper covers border guard’s skills related to communication which are defined in border guard’s professional standards. It is difficult to implement some of them in Border Guard because of special rules and services conditions. The paper deals with the situations of verbal and nonverbal communication in professional training process in State Border Guard College.</p>

SPECIFICITY OF COMMUNICATION PROCESS IN MILITARIZED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION

Communication is the exchange of information between sender who send and receiver who decode it. In an organization communication flows in downward, upward, lateral, external and diagonal directions. Communication process in militarized educational institution has its own specificity. The most popular type of communication in a militarized educational institution is downward communication because of special rules which regulate the service relationship between the participants involved in the communication process. The disadvantage of this communication is limited feedback which is a very important component of the communication process and which plays an important role in the teaching process. It is impossible to reach the purpose of teaching process without feedback because learning is an active bilateral dynamic system. The present paper discovers problems in communication flow directions in militarized educational institution on the basis of Latvian State Border Guard College because college in its activities is guided by a number of rules which regulate and define teaching process and service condition. Key words: communication, militarized educational institution, service.