Search results for "Focus Group"
showing 10 items of 319 documents
DEVELOPMENT OF MARITIME HUMAN RESOURCES AND EDUCATION. CAREER EDUCATION IN LATVIAN MARITIME ACADEMY
2013
Seafaring profession has traditionally been considered a romantic profession among young people, but in today's labor market has dramatically changed priorities of career choices. At present, the maritime industry has more than 40 thousand vacancies, in addition to the growing trend. If the recent level of sailors (rating) applies for a job from Asia and other developing countries, than the shipping officers with University level are particularly difficult to recruit for crew shipping companies. Standard defines the profession demanding skippers and navigators. Latvia is in good situation in comparison with other EU countries - Latvia is the 5th place in Europe (13 thousand seamen), two Mar…
IDENTIFYING FACTORS INFLUENCING SCHOOL LEADERSHIP PRACTICES: CASE STUDY OF LATVIA
2020
Based on the analysis of research literature and empirical data, the study aims to identify significant factors affecting school leadership practices in Latvia. In addition to studies of scientific literature, the authors used qualitative research methods – in-depth interviews with 7 school leadership teams of the same municipality and expert focus group discussion to describe the influencing factors that are relevenat in the context of Latvia. As a result of the study, the authors identified that school leaders’ work experience, beliefs and mental models, social skills and impact of the external parties have an influence on their practices.
Small world theory and the World Wide Web: linking small world properties and website centrality
2016
This qualitative paper aims to point out the incidence of small world characteristics in the World Wide Web. To this end, some theoretical implications of small world theory (SWT) are verified using information from focus groups and in-depth interviews administered to experts and users of the World Wide Web. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether it is possible to apply small world properties to online social networks while pointing out the key variables of website centrality in that context. Building on this, the paper traces possible contributions for better management of the World Wide Web in terms of the professional use of social media to facilitate information or product …
Quality and Transparency in VET: New Challenges for Public Administrations in Latvia
2014
Abstract The main problem discussed in the paper is the new challenges for public administration of vocational education and training (VET) due to innovations and globalization. Most of the attention in the paper is paid to the readiness of entrepreneurs jointly with municipalities to participate in the preparation of future qualified specialists. Co-operation among various educational establishments, the local government and the employers is crucial. A much neglected aspect still is the co-operation between VET and higher education (HE) institutions – which the authors see as a real driving force for the success of local partnerships to promote regional economic development with respective…
A theoretical and methodological framework for the analysis and measurement of environmental heritage at local level
2017
Abstract The study aims to assess the lived experience and the environmental heritage perceived level by residents of an high complexity rural area, and which is, in this context, the role played by production of renewable energies. The paper introduces the concept of rural capital as an effective tool for environmental heritage analysis and measurement. The proposed theoretical and methodological approach allows, in fact, its analysis in order to understand what dimensions related to territoriality are connected to the perceived level of environmental heritage at local level. Translated into operational terms, the methodology has resulted in an empirical analysis of a rural and inner area …
ACTIVE LEARNING METHODS IN STUDIES: STUDENTS’ OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES
2021
Rapid changes in education and pedagogy are related not only to the global crisis caused by COVID-19, but also to other changes determined by globalization and technological convergence—labour mobility, changes in different professions and changes in teacher–student relations—that are also affected by intergenerational differences. Changes in the pedagogical paradigm, which are included in the content of the Paris Communiqué (2018) and outlined in many important educational development and planning documents, emphasise students’ transition from being mere recipients of information to being participants actively engaged with new information in a learning environment. Following the identifica…
<p>Systematic Use of Song and Music in Dementia Care: Health Care Providers’ Experiences</p>
2020
Background and aim Using song and music in a systematic way in residential dementia care may have several positive impacts on the patients, as well as the care providers. The aim of this study was to explore how health care providers experienced taking responsibility for conducting a song and music program in dementia care in nursing homes. Methods An explorative, qualitative study design was used. Focus groups were formed by 17 health care providers from 3 different nursing homes. These providers had experience implementing and using the "Gjenklang" ("reverberation") song and music program especially developed for people with dementia. Focus group interviews were transcribed verbatim, and …
The joy of teaching and learning in academia – teachers’ perspectives from three countries
2021
All over the world, the educational landscape has changed dramatically over the last year, impacting the way we teach and learn. It is time for reflecting and searching for new ways to support each other, during these pandemic times and beyond; time to co-construct creative partnerships and to innovate new ways to co-create. Change is an inevitable part of teaching and learning but the adaptations currently required are of unprecedented scale. How can we teach and learn with joy in today’s academia? How can we support each other, as teachers, in more creative ways? These two reflective questions were at the base of the study, which was conducted by university teachers from three countries: …
Developing a Pedagogical Framework and Design Principles for STEM Learning Environment Design
2020
The need for effective and attractive learning environments (LEs) for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has been internationally recognized. Additionally, the connection between STEM learning and cross-curricular skills such as creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship has garnered attention. A deep theoretical and empirical understanding is required when designing STEM LEs. In this study, a pedagogical framework for STEM LEs has been developed based on feedback from students, aged 10–18 years old, teachers, school directors, parents, and STEM professionals, and supported by the literature. First, representatives of key stakeholder groups in Belarus, Finland, Germa…
Ten essential features of European dual career development environments: A multiple case study
2021
Aim: Dual career development environments (DCDEs) support athletes’ effort in combining their competitive sporting careers with education or work. The characteristics of the environments may differ across cultures. The aim was to identify essential features of DCDEs based on a cross-case analysis of seven European DCDEs in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom within the Erasmus+ Sport project “Ecology of Dual Career”. Design: The study was designed as a multiple case study and based on two holistic ecological working models (Henriksen et al., 2020). The cross-case analysis included series of focus group discussions, in which two-three researchers from e…