"Competence" concept and its implications on teacher education

Dan Potolea, Steliana Toma
University of Bucharest, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Panduri Bd, no. 90, Bucharest, RO
University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, Teachers Training Department, Lacul Tei Bd, no.124, Bucharest, RO
Abstract
Competence has become referential, with multiple functions, related to professional standards, training programs, evaluation of professional qualification and expertise, trajectory of career development, etc. Like other areas, Teacher Education is dominated by the interest for the development of a predetermined competences register. Within this framework, some critical issues also arise: How do we define competence in the construction and evaluation of training programs? What concept of competence - as a reference framework - is in operation? Is there an explicit option for a certain concept of competence? If yes, is it consistently used in defining derived competencies that particularize the graduate profile of different levels of schooling/specialization or is "forgotten" along the way? It could also be signalled ambiguities of language, partial approaches, inconsistency of conceptual and formative practices. To overcome these situations, a comprehensive competence concept is proposed, with 6 components. It demonstrates the heuristic and practical value of the model with configurations illustrations and processes related to concrete professional competence. Finally, the professional profile of the teacher is reviewed.
Keywords: competence; teacher; professional development

Higher education and the challenges of postmodern society

Alina Narcisa Crişan
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5 St.,
400374, Romania
Abstract
Universities have always represented true educational citadels, oriented towards excellence, through the creation and dissemination of knowledge, respectively by the training of highly qualified specialists. The current society, constantly subject to change and evolution, imposes on the higher education permanent restructuring on all dimensions and the radical rethinking of the approach of the education process. The present paper aims to examine the main phenomena that take place in the postmodern society (globalization, massification, exponential growth of the volume of information etc.), respectively the way in which they influence the university education. The current university educational model implies a dynamic and permanent adaptation to the training and information requirements of the individual and of the society, together with the increased emphasis on university management. Universities move their center of gravity from teachers to students, opening to the global knowledge market and responding to their educational demands and expectations.
Keywords: globalization; knowledge; higher education; management; education process

A study concerning adults’ perception of learning

Tatiana-Gabriela Pescaru (Marinescu)
University of Bucharest, Doctoral School in Educational Sciences, 90 Panduri Street, Sector 5,
Bucharest, 050663, Romania
Abstract
Nowadays, adults have to face multiple challenges both in the professional area and in everyday life. In order to successfully cope with these challenges, it is necessary for them to become involved in lifelong learning. The current survey is aimed at analysing adults’ perception of learning based on their own experiences and at perceiving their availability for learning after retirement from professional activity. The results obtained show that, in general, adults have a positive perception regarding learning. Even though learning in an adult age entails more effort, energy and time, the subjects are aware of its importance and become involved in learning. Nevertheless, after retirement from professional activity, it has been found that preoccupation with learning fails to be as intense for a part of the adults. In this context, we consider it necessary to point out the benefits of learning regardless of age.
Keywords: adults, learning, perception of learning, lifelong learning, benefits of learning

The influence of interpersonal relations in teenagers’ selfesteem during the economic crisis in Greece

Anastasia Botou, Konstantinos Karakiozis, Georgia Korakidi, Evangelos C. Papakitsos
School of Pedagogical and Technological Education, Iraklio Attikis 14121, Greece
2nd Center for Educational and Counseling Support of Piraeus, Milou 21, Piraeus 18545, Greece
Secondary Education Directorate of Western Attica, Dragoumi 24, Elefsina 19200, Greece
University of West Attica, Thivon 250, Egaleo 12244, Greece
Abstract
The economic crisis in Greece has brought 34.8% of the population to the poverty line and has increased the problems and adversities they face. The present study has been conducted in students from seven junior high-schools of Western Attica, Greece. Their level of self-esteem was initially measured and then the correlation was investigated between self-esteem and the attitudes of students against the sub-scales of self-perception, related to their interpersonal relations. Correlation and regression analysis shows statistically significant relationships between students’ attitudes towards selfesteem and attitudes mainly towards their parents. Also, the relation of students to their parents is correlated statistically significant with their attitudes towards behaviour. It seems that interpersonal relations help to strengthen the self-esteem of teenagers in times of economic crisis.
Keywords: adolescence; self-esteem; self-perception; interpersonal relations; significant others; economic crisis

Teaching practice in the Republic of Croatia – student perspective

Irena Klasnić
Faculty of Teacher Education, Savska 77, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The purpose of teaching practice should be student-future teachers' gradual familiarisation with and guidance towards independent preparation of classes and their implementation, led by university teachers and teacher mentors. The goal of the research was to describe past student experience with teaching practice at different teaching faculties, and examine the differences in the assessment of teaching quality with regard to faculty they attend, the year of study and gender. In the frame of the research, we applied a questionnaire on the sample of 307 students at five teaching faculties of the University of Zagreb in the Republic of Croatia. The given results point to relatively high assessments of the teaching practice. The stated stresses the need for further and more detailed research.
Keywords: faculty; gender; students; teaching practice; year of study

The main methodological approaches and the principle of multi-technology to teaching pedagogy in the process of training of future teachers: Russian experience

Ilya Hazanov
Kurgan State University, Sovetskaya str., 63/4, Kurgan Pedagogical College, Kareltseva str., 32, Kurgan, Russian Federation
Abstract
The article is devoted to the study of basic methodological approaches to the organization of professional training of future teachers in Russia. At the same time, pedagogy as an academic discipline is the leading one in the process of general professional preparation of students. The author proves the need for an organic relationship between the methodology and teaching methods of pedagogy, substantiates the complex combination of methodological approaches. To prove his conclusions, the author describes his own professional experience in teaching pedagogy, gives specific examples of teaching materials. The article substantiates the principle of multi-technology pedagogical education, which is based on the integration of the elements and means of various educational technologies, depending on specific educational and educational goals.
Keywords: pedagogy; training; future teacher; methodological approach; principle of multi-technology

Screencasting: how effective is it in developing positive attitude towards the learning of C++ computer programming

Chin-Soon Cheah
Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
Abstract
A true experimental pre-test and post-test research design was conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of screencasting in developing positive attitude towards the learning of C++ computer programming. The experiment consisted of 65 first-year undergraduate students (aged 19-22) who have never attended any formal computer programming course prior to the study. They were randomly assigned to two groups: the first group received the screencasting and narration (SN) mode whereas the second group received the screencasting, text, and narration (STN) mode. After extensive weeks of learning via the screencasting modes, results showed that samples from both modes have an increase positive attitude towards the learning of C++ computer programming. Hence, the two learning modes were able to instill positive attitude towards the learning of C++ computer programming
Keywords: screencasting; attitude; C++ computer programming

The effectiveness of a computer program in developing some academic skills among a sample of intellectually disabled students

Abdel Kareem A.H. Kubier
College of Arts &Science, Northern Border University, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
The current study aims at investigating the efficiency of a computer program in developing some academic skills with a sample of academic skills students. The quasi-experimental method is used, with the use of pre and posttests for following. The final sample included 12 students with an average age of (10.25) using the standard and validated scales. 24 training sessions have been applied with 35 minutes for each session for times a week. The sessions continue for 6 weeks on the experimental sample. The study concluded that there are statistically significant differences between the pre and post applications for the post application, as well as the continuity of the efficiency of the program in developing the academic skills after the follow-up time.
Keywords: computer program; intellectual disability; academic skills; Rafha.

Investigating democratic citizenship attitude of pre-service social studies teachers

Veena Prachagool, Prasart Nuangchalerm
Faculty of Education, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham 44000 Thailand
Abstract
The world of participation is now requiring at all sectors, democracy is also calling for people to live within society based on democratic citizenship together. This study investigates the democratic citizenship attitude of pre-service teachers who are key elements to incubate democracy in classroom and for all young children through learning management. Sixty three pre-service teachers in social studies program are participated. They are freely expressed their democratic citizenship attitude by 28 items of questionnaires. Descriptive statistics are used for clarifying attitude. Democratic citizenship attitude of pre-service teachers are range between low and highest by different items. Democratic rights and equality (DRE) is at the highest. Duties and responsibilities (DR), Democratic participation (DP), and Values of citizenship (VC) are at the high level. While Global citizenship (GC) is at medium level, and Culture of democracy (CD) is at lowest level.
Keywords: attitude; democracy; participation; social studies; teachers

Exploratory study on psychic defense and coping mechanisms used by students in the period of the exams session

Dănuț Ioan Crașovan, Lavinia Maria Nițulescu, Alina Cristina Constantin
University „Eftimie Murgu“ of Resita, 320085 Resita, Traian Vuia Square, No. 1 - 4, Caras-Severin District, România, https://uem.ro/
Abstract
As a consequence of the stress increase during the exams session, the present study has as an objective the identification of the ways of psychic adaptation used by the students. For the identification of the ways of psychic adaptation specific to the exam situation there were used the COPE Questionnaire and DSQ – 60 Questionnaire. The results of this study show the absence of significant results regarding the mechanisms of psychic defense and coping strategies for the students studied in the two situations: the exam and nonexam situations. Relatively significant differences, in the limit of the statistical significance of .05 threshold, were identified only at the level of psychic defense mechanisms, i.e. for two of the 30 mechanisms of psychic defense, namely for devaluation/self and fantasy.
Keywords: students; academic performance; coping mechanisms; psychological defence mechanisms; DSQ-60; COPE

Impact of institutionalization on cognitive distortions and anti-social behavior in juvenile delinquents in Romania

Edgar Demeter, Alina S. Rusu
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Psychology and Social Sciences, Aurel Vlaicu University, Arad, Romania
Department of Special Education, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Abstract
Literature in the field of anti-social behavior indicates that education can play an important role in the prevention or reduction of delinquency. This study aims to investigate the impact of programs provided by corrective institutions on the self-serving cognitive distortion and anti-social behaviors of delinquent adolescents from Romania, after 6-8 months of institutionalization. The control group included nondelinquent adolescents from the same geographic region and age category. The self-serving cognitive distortions and anti-social behaviors were assessed with “How I Think Questionnaire”. Data was gathered from 33 juvenile delinquents (16-19 years) and 34 non-delinquents (14-17 years). Significant differences at levels of Self-Centered, Blaming Others and Minimizing/Mislabelling cognitive distortions, Opposition-Defiance and Lying anti-social behaviours, were found in relation to the participation in the institutionalization programs.
Keywords: anti-social behavior; juvenile delinquency; self serving cognitive distortions; intervention; education

Dissociative Identity Disorder. Psychotic functioning and impairment of growing-up processes

Simona Trifu
University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, Bucharest, Romania
Abstract
American psychiatric literature shows the presence of 5% dissociative identity disorder (DID) in the psychiatric population; in Romanian psychiatry the cases with DID are difficult to diagnose because they are confused with schizophrenia considering the DID effect on social functioning. We present in detail the functioning of the DID patient's thinking, to highlight the illogical constructions, how he reverse the cause with the effect, how he’s discourse slips to the secondary meanings of the words, how he easily move from general to particular and from abstract to concrete. We notice the impersonal speech, the use of several pronouns with reference to the Ego, together with the denial of reality. We identified four personalities with symbolic meanings related to his personal life history.
Keywords: dissociative identity disorder; psychotic functioning; paranoid obsessive area; arguments; abuse; dissociation of memories of affections

Learning moral attitudes: children vs parents

Cristian Vasile
Petroleum Gas University of Ploiesti, Bd. Bucuresti, nr, 39, Ploiesti, 100680, Romania
Abstract
Moral reasoning and moral attitudes are of a major importance in the personality development. Family values influences children’s values and this leads to different attitudes and behaviors (prosocial or/and antisocial attitudes; pro-helping or harm creating attitudes; pro-norms or anti-authority and so on). The study is a part of a larger research on morality and discuss five important items from ABC5 Facets - II+/III+ vs II-/III regarding morality. The results suggest that the children follow in general the moral attitudes and reasoning of their parents. Some differences were also found, but we also have to take into account the age of the children (8-11 y.o.) and the cultural differences.
Keywords: moral attitudes; children; parents; ABC5 Facets

Emotional intelligence training and transactional analytic psychotherapy on school adjustment of students transiting to secondary school in Ibadan, Nigeria

Adeyemo, D.A, Ogundokun, M.O, Oyedare, A
Department of Guidance and Counselling, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract
Transition from primary to secondary school poses considerable social and emotional adjustment challenges to most students. As a result of this, some students suffer setback in their academic performance and interpersonal relationships which may further lead to truancy, absenteeism and early school dropout. These jeopardise their future career, employment opportunities and life chances. This study was carried out to determine the effects of emotional intelligence training and transactional analytic psychotherapy on school adjustment of students transiting to secondary school in Ibadan, Nigeria. The moderating effects of gender and self-efficacy were also examined. A pretest-posttest control group experimental design with a 3x2x2 factorial matrix was adopted. Multistage sampling procedure was employed. Three Local Government Areas with large number of pupils transiting were purposively selected from Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria. 111 secondary school students of Junior Secondary School 1 were screened for poor school adjustment and were randomly assigned to Emotional Intelligence Training (EIT) (39), Transactional Analytic Psychotherapy (TAP) (31) and Control (41) groups. Treatment lasted eight weeks. Data were analysed using Analysis of covariance and Bonferroni Post-hoc test at the 0.05 level of significance. The results indicated that there were significant main effects of treatment and self-efficacy on school adjustment. Emotional intelligence training and transactional analytic psychotherapy were effective in enhancing school adjustment of pupils transiting to secondary school. Counsellors and educational psychologists should utilise these therapies to promote school adjustment of pupils transiting to secondary school, particularly with those with low efficacy regardless of their gender.
Keywords: emotional intelligence training; transactional analytic psychotherapy; transition to secondary school; school adjustment

Influencing students’ attitudes towards school counseling

Teodora Țecu, Claudiu Langa
Olt County’s Resource and Educational Assistence Center, 8B Ecaterina Teodoroiu street , Slatina, 230053, Romania
University of Pitești, Faculty of Education, Social Sciences and Psychology, 11 Targu din Vale street, Pitești, 110440, Romania
Abstract
The aim of this study was to provide an overview upon rural area students' (N=43) attitudes towards school counseling. Therefore, our objectives were to: (1) highlight students’ unrealistic beliefs about school counselors’ academic training and about their work organization and ethics, pre and post an information session, and, (2) to evaluate students’ knowledge related to the school counselors’ activity, pre and post participating in the respective session. Through a single-group pre-test post-test experimental design we developed a three-phase study. Our results showed that (1) there are statistically significant differences between the averages of students’ unrealistic beliefs before and after the informing session and (2) that the students’ knowledge level before participating in the information session was significantly lower than after their participation in the session.
Keywords: attitudes; unrealistic beliefs; school counselling