PROSPECTIVE PRE-SCHOOL TEACHERS’ VIEWS ON STEM LEARNING IN GRADE 9: THE PRINCIPLE OF CONTINUITY IN EDUCATION
The life quality of society and the stability of national economy is largely connected with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The complex character of STEM education demands informed teaching/learning strategies in order to make the 21st century youth interested in learning. The aim of the research was to find out the views of prospective pre-school teachers on Grade 9 students’ STEM learning, thus addressing the topical principle of continuity in education. A survey of 261 prospective pre-school teachers of the University of Latvia was performed. The obtained results show that in general the prospective pre-school teachers have some notion about the level of teachin…
THE INTEGRATION OF THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONALS IN THE LATVIAN EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT: THE CURRENT SITUATION AND KEY ISSUES
Due to the European migrant crisis, the issue concerning the integration of refugees, third-country nationals, into Latvia’s society has become increasingly topical in the last years. Since a lot of refugees are under 18, schools also must be ready to accept learners of other nationalities and cultures and help them integrate into the community of the host country. According to studies conducted in Latvia, the system of education needs to change the attitude towards the integration of immigrants in the school environment. Therefore, the incorporation of inter-cultural experience in the curricula of teacher-training institutions is a significant factor that could enable pre-service teachers …
THE PEDAGOGICAL EVALUATION OF THE RESPONSIVENESS OF PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS
With the guidelines for pre-school education coming into effect, a paradigm change has occurred in Latvia, focusing on a child-centred educational process. Contradictions can be observed in the professional training of pre-school teachers. Clearly, pre-school educators ensure the transfer of values to the next generation and the stability of the system of education; nevertheless, their activity is often focused on imparting reproductive knowledge and skills and following familiar algorithms and stereotypes. The innovative trend – the development of child’s social and emotional skills – is not always dominant in the work of pre-school teachers. The aim of the research is to analyse the views…
The Prospects of Transdisciplinary Approach to Promote Learners’ Cognitive Interest in Natural Science for Sustainable Development
Abstract The use of transdisciplinary approach to promote learners’ interest in the acquisition of natural science at school provides new opportunities for a complex explanation of the phenomenon and improving the quality of the process of learning. The aim of the study is to explore the learners’ cognitive interest, personal participation and the approaches chosen by teachers from the perspective of transdisciplinary approach. The study characterises students’ subjective evaluations of their personal participation and cognitive interest in the subjects of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics, and the approaches used by teachers. The participants were 9th grade students from 17 Latvi…
INTEREST OF LATVIAN AND LITHUANIAN STUDENTS IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
Interest is one of the most important components for a successful teaching/learning process; unfortunately, nowadays students’ interest in science and mathematics is decreasing. The aim of the research is to explore the cognitive interest of 15-year- old students in science and mathematics. Students in Latvia and Lithuania participated in the survey; the data show that students’ cognitive interest in this area in both countries is mediocre. The factor analysis was used to single out four main dimensions of the cognitive interest – interest in the context, interest in mathematics, inquiry interest and enthusiasm. Students’ interest is higher in issues connected with practical life, the solut…