New “education”: learning to cope without learning the abilities
Cristian Vasile
Petroleum Gas University of Ploiesti, Bd. Bucuresti, nr, 39, Ploiesti, 100680, Romania
Abstract

Education, as the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits, seems to be understood in a different way increasingly more nowadays. It should play a vital role in helping individuals develop their full potential and become responsible, productive members of society. The goal of education should be to help students learn and grow, both intellectually and emotionally, so they can become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and lifelong learners.
It is possible to learn how to manage something without necessarily learning all the details of the subject matter. For example, a manager at a company may not need to know all the technical details of the products or services that the company offers, but they still need to be able to effectively manage the team that does know those details.

The importance of multimedia elements in learning and the impact of redundancy principle in developing effective multimedia learning materials: a literature review
Chin-Soon Cheah
Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
Abstract
The importance of multimedia learning materials in the education world is undeniable. At the present stage of technological advancement, the rapid growth of technology has changed the way education is conducted. Education no longer constrained in terms of location, size, space, and time. It can be conducted via the internet anywhere, anytime and available 24/7 using multimedia technology. However, the effectiveness of multimedia learning materials are determined by a few core principles according to the cognitive theory of multimedia learning (CTML) introduced by Mayer (2005a). Hence this article reviews the empirical literature pertaining to the importance of multimedia in learning, and the impact of the redundancy principle in developing effective multimedia learning materials. Articles selected for this review were scrutinize based on the important factors and benefits of multimedia elements. It reviews the crucial aspects of contributing to the education field. A brief explanation of the CTML at the beginning of this article to ensure readers have a strong understanding of the underlying theory in developing effective multimedia learning materials. This is followed by reviews of the importance of multimedia and learning before going into the review on the impact of redundancy principle. The article ends with a discussion regarding the possible research gaps and future research areas in this field of education and other potential sectors.
Keywords: multimedia; redundancy principle; cognitive theory of multimedia learning; literature review

The transition to the academic environment: between difficulties and coping strategies
Cristina Georgiana Safta, Mihaela Suditu
Petroleum-Gas University of Ploiești, Bvd. București, no. 39, 100680, Romania
Abstract
After numerous reforms or attempts at reform, after much publicized efforts for change in education, Miroiu (1998) considers that Romanian education still operates according to an intellectualist model, according to which the most valuable mental faculty in education is the rational one. Faced with problems of school maladjustment, school failure or even school dropout that ruled out the involvement of cognitive factors, schools began to consider the possibility that these issues may be the consequence of subjective factors related to motivation, emotional balance or the ability to cope. In this context, there is the question of cultivating such skills in students that, on the one hand, reduce the likelihood of maladaptive behaviour and, on the other, help shape a balanced, creative and autonomous personality. Our study is based on the desire to investigate the possible relationship between the level of students’ adaptation to the academic environment and their academic performance record. We used the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ), an instrument created to measure the level of adaptation of students to the university environment. The general scores obtained by the students from the 1st year and from the 3rd year are analysed in a comparative way.
Keywords: academic environment; coping strategies; adaptation; performance; motivation

Teachers' readiness to support effective inclusion of students with specific learning disorders in higher and adult education
Cristina Dumitru Tăbăcaru, Maria Magdalena Stan, Claudiu Langa, Georgiana Dumitru, Adriana Nicoleta Lazăr, Kristiina Kuparinen, Riikka Kanervo, Chrysi Koundouraki
University of Pitești, 1 St. Târgu din Vale, Pitești, 110040, Romania
Laurea University of Applied Sciences, 22 St. Ratatie, Vantaa, Finland
Heriot Watt University, Campus The Avenue, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, Edinburgh, UK
Abstract
The number of students with special needs enrolled in higher education is increasing on an international level. In this context, it is becoming crucial to train teachers with more specific knowledge and skills to be more prepared to address the diverse learning needs of their students. An anonymous voluntary 17-items web-based survey was completed by 158 teachers. The main objective was to identify the training programs and best practices on inclusive education and on SLDs available for teachers in Higher Education and to explore the transnational training needs for the professionals in SLDs. University teachers are yet to have the knowledge to adapt the content, their teaching strategies, assessment methods and learning community support, to a more appropriate learning environment for students with learning disorders.
Keywords: specific learning disorders; higher education; teacher readiness; inclusion; inclusive learning environment

Teaching practicum in a pandemic context - challenges and solutions in the opinion of pre-service Romanian teachers
Angelica Hobjilă
“Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, 3 Toma Cozma, Iaşi, 700554, Romania
Abstract
An essential component of the initial training of pre-service teachers, Teaching Practicum took place, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, in special conditions, adapted to new realities in the field of interpersonal relationships and in the school world. The present study aims to inventory the positive / negative elements that pre-service Romanian teachers (students of the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences at the “Al. I. Cuza” University of Iasi, Romania) have identified in Teaching Practicum in primary school, in the second semester of the academic year 2019-2020 and in the two semesters of the academic year 2020-2021. This analysis allows both the diagnosis of the period and the difficulties encountered and the identification of solutions, opportunities to improve Teaching Practicum in different contexts.
Keywords: pre-service teachers; Teaching Practicum; primary school; new realities; pandemic context

COVID-19 and its impact on higher education: Romanian university students’ satisfaction with online learning
Réka Kutasi
“George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania, Nicolae Iorga street, no.1, Târgu Mureș, 540088, Romania
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the closure of educational institutions across the world since it put academic teaching in danger. Most educational institutions have turned to online learning platforms to maintain educational activity. However, even after all this time, there are still many unanswered problems regarding the readiness, design, and efficiency of e-learning. Through an online survey applied to almost 600 students, the goal of this study is to investigate how students from George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures (UMPhST), Romania perceive and appreciate online learning. The study also highlights the characteristics of online classes students preferred and the limitations they had to face throughout this challenging period, but it also sheds light on different aspects of online teaching that will help educational specialists create a successful learning environment in the near future.
Keywords: COVID-19; pandemic; online education; university student; higher education institutions

Understanding of ESL teachers’ assessment procedures: a contextual study of Saudi Arabia
Amrendra Kumar Singh
Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
A total of 32 questions were used to probe the attitudes of 95 Arab, 98 Natives English teachers, and of Asian (South Asian) origin ESL/EFL educators toward the assessment and evaluation of their students. The results showed more agreement than disagreement between the instructors in the three settings, although the teachers' views were inconsistent throughout the three situations. While there was a positive correlation between instructors' stated goals for using assessment and evaluation and their actual implementation of these tools, there was no such correlation between instructors' perceptions of assessment and evaluation's value in the classroom and their students' learning gains. Teachers' perceptions of the time they spent on assessment, their knowledge of and preparation for assessment, and their actual assessment practises were only moderately connected.
Keywords: assessment; evaluation; ESL; teacher; Saudi Arabia

Online assessment of manufacturing technologies students’
Marta Gluchmanová
Technical University of Košice Prešov, Bayerova 1, 080 01 Prešov, Slovakia
Abstract
The purpose of the paper was to point out the online assessment in language teaching at the Department of Social Sciences and Humanities. Foreign language teachers emphasised innovative methods for development of language skills within professional study material. The aim of the research was to find out whether the specification of the e-tests has an impact on the success of bachelor students at the Faculty of Manufacturing Technologies Technical University of Košice within the online assessment.
The achieved results of 82 students in different study programmes in winter semester 2021 were compared. The research proved that the experimental group of students achieved the best results in those progressive manufacturing technologies e-tests which were closely to their study programme.
Keywords: education; online assessment; professional texts; e-tests; progressive manufacturing technology

Children's theatre - diachronic analysis of curricular documents for preschool level, in Romania
Angelica Hobjilă
“Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, 3 Toma Cozma, Iaşi, 700554, Romania
Abstract
Theatre, in all its forms, although very well represented in kindergarten activities, does not have a constant presence in the curricular documents to which they referred, throughout time, teachers for preschool education in Romania. In this context, a diachronic analysis of curricular documents (from the Program of instructive-educational activity in kindergarten, 1963, to the Curriculum for early education, 2019) can be a point of support for teachers (especially beginners) who understand and want to capitalize on the benefits of theatre in activities with preschoolers. In this sense, both the finalities / competencies provided in the mentioned curricular documents will be analysed, and, especially, the contents (where they are listed) and the behaviours, examples of activities offered by these official papers.
Keywords: theater; early education; curricular documents; competencies; activities with preschoolers

The correlation between motivation by grades and by learning
Luka Pongračić, Andrej Maras, Ana Maria Marinaca
University of Slavonski Brod, Gundulićeva 20, 35000, Croatia
Primary school Lotrščak, Donje Svetice 127, 1000, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Evaluation of what has been learned, assessment, is one of the fundamental components of modern teaching. The way, the atmosphere and the moment in which the grade is assigned, can significantly affect the overall outcome of the learning process. Assessment due to its didactic, methodological and psychological significance affects all stakeholders in the educational system. As one of the primary determinants of assessment is its motivational function, the aim of this research is to determine and present the relationship between the evaluation of what has been learned (assessment) and motivation for the learning process, based on scientific literature and empirical research. Theoretical starting points and empirical research have shown that assessment significantly affects student motivation and as such manages and determines the entire learning process and outcome. The findings of this paper will contribute to practitioners in the field of education by pointing out the limitations of the existing system of evaluation of student achievement. From the scientific aspect, this paper will point to the docimological factors that determine the choice of models and criteria for school assessment and their influence in the form of a motivating factor in the learning process.
Keywords: grade; learning; motivation; students

Psychological effects of fake news – literature review
Mihai Elena Claudia
Petroleum-Gas University of Ploiești, Bvd. București, no. 39, 100680, Romania
Abstract
Fake news is one of the most discussed topics in the last few years. During the COVID-19 pandemic and during the Ukrainian war, the dangerous nature of this phenomenon became more obvious. More politics and more journalists are using now (fake) news as a weapon. Modern war must be considered in its informational part also. So, a correct evaluation of the news is an important skill for their consumers. Which are the psychological effects of fake news on the audience? Which is the psychological profile of the people that consume fake news? Which people are more vulnerable to suffering its negative effects? Why do people believe and share fake information? How can we explain the failure to distinguish accurate from inaccurate news? We studied the recent research in order to find the answers. This study is a literature review on the argument of fake news, its psychological effects on people and some explanations for this phenomenon.
Keywords: fake news; psychological effects of fake news; war fake news; COVID-19 pandemic

Investigating the relationship among adolescents’ career indecisiveness, values and optimism in the process of choosing a career
Dorina Grigor, Emanuel-Sebastian Turda
Doctoral School “Education, Reflection, Development”, Babeș-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca, 7 Sindicatelor Street, 400029, Romania
Babeș-Bolyai University, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, 7 Sindicatelor Street, 400015, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Abstract
The transition from high school education to tertiary education or employment brings adolescents in front of an important decision on choosing their career.
One of the most important decisions to be made by a adolescent is choosing an occupation. Throughout the four years of high school, the adolescent reconsiders this countless times as they discover new skills and particularities.
The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship among 11th grade adolescents’ career indecisiveness, values and optimism within choosing a career. The results have shown that a low level of optimism contributes to the increase of career indecisiveness level, to a low level of information gathering regarding decision making, both related to the self and to the career, and to the occurrence of internal conflicts.
Keywords: career indecision; optimism; adolescents; values; career decision-making process

The benefits of group counseling in career and educational settings. Online group work as an alternative intervention in a post-pandemic world
Andreea Szilagyi
University “Politehnica” Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 313, Sector 6, Bucharest, Romania
Abstract
Group counseling is one intervention that seems to be perceived as less valuable than individual ones in helping professions. In countries where counseling is still in an emerging stage, there is sometimes little to no specific training in group skills for future counselors. This paper addresses the history of group work in helping professions, the types of groups in career settings, the benefits and limitations of group interventions, and the opportunity offered by increasing interest and access to online interventions. The study covers the implications of the social and psychological outcomes of the COVID-pandemic on school and career counseling interventions. Challenges for practitioners and educators in countries where counseling is not a recognized profession are analyzed.
Keywords: group counseling; career counseling; online counseling; post-COVID; school counseling; counseling standards