This article aims to note the importance of non-formal education in the context of lifelong learning, especially in last phase. A secondary analysis of empirical research, conducted in Germany as part of a unique project “Competencies in Later Life” (CiLL), is the starting point for a reflection on the necessity of support of educational processes, enabling the development of qualifications after leaving formal education system. This study allowed to determine the level of competence of literacy, numeracy and problem solving in technology-rich environments of the population aged 66-80 years.The conclusions of the study are clear: in connection with a deficit of the core competencies of older people is needed educational offer. Participation in education can prevent exclusion from social life.

Many instructors willing to undertake teaching in a foreign language are progressively noticing the need to improve the quality of classroom discourse and lecturing styles, so that students can capture and process the information delivered more efficiently. Mind­maps can be an important and effective asset to anyone who wants to learn a language. They are considered to be a great way to brainstorm and generate more ideas. They help to create a number of small ideas from one big idea, to see how different ideas could be connected together and to create a plan of action. They break from the traditional way of thinking when learning, and therefore they encourage creativity - and this can be achieved only when there are no restrictions, criticism and judging. The result should be a very creative, new solution to problems, a generation of original, relaxed and informal ideas. The article demonstrates how mind mapping technique can be used to improve language skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening in higher education settings; moreover, it concerns positive and negative aspects of the use of mind mapping, purposes it may serve, implications, suggestions, and recommendations for mind mapping strategies for teachers and students.

The article shows the three aspects of research on the history of Slavonic studies in Poland: the developmental trends in Polish historiography, the scale of interest in the Slavs living in Poland and the position of the other Slavic nations in the Polish historiography.

In our report we briefly describe the existing state and tendencies in teacher training for primary schools. It is important to state that we are implementing a vital reform effort in our educational system. If we really want to emphasize the nature of changes in our school system, we need to be focused mainly on the use of those methods by beginner teachers that are not forming just knowledge, but also leading to creative use of knowledge in learning and life.

Central Europe – the concept, the historical conditioning, the significance

The notion of Central Europe as a historical region assumed importance after the end of the First World War and again in the 90’s of the 20th century. The aim of historical conditioning of this region was to build the political unity which would be able to oppose the threat from the East and the West. Polish researchers played a crucial role in the research of this region. They even often initiated this research.

Střední Evropa – pojem, historická podmíněnost, význam

W opracowaniu wskazuje się, że nauka stanowi podstawę rozwoju współczesnej cywilizacji informacyjnej. W Polsce postrzegana jest jako podstawowy czynnik rozwoju. Prowadzenie badań naukowych oraz edukacji osadzone jest w regulacji konstytucyjnej RP oraz porządku prawnym o zasięgu krajowym, europejskim i globalnym. Współczesne tempo przekształceń kulturowo-cywilizacyjnych powoduje rodzenie się niektórych sprzeczności w urzeczywistnianiu zasad konstytucyjnych oraz ogłaszanych wciąż nowych norm prawnych odnoszących się do szkolnictwa wyższego. Przestrzeń sprzeczności stanowi zwłaszcza urzeczywistnianie polskiej tradycji naukowej i akademickiej w powiązaniu za standardami europejskimi (Unii Europejskiej) oraz globalnymi (filozofii postmodernizmu).

Aktualnie antropologia pedagogiczna staje się integralną dyscypliną w procesie edukacyjnym. Człowiek jest badany z punktu widzenia historii i kultury, w okresie przemian politycznych i ekonomicznych oraz na każdym poziomie rozwoju społecznego. Współczesny świat jest niezwykle różnorodny i niejednoznaczny. Narastają nierówności społeczne na wszystkich poziomach, rośnie liczba ubogich, pojawiły się nowe światowe problemy migracji i uchodźców. Zobowiązuje to również antropologię pedagogiczną, aby pomagała pedagogom w szybkim i skutecznym rozwiązywaniu palących problemów związanych z edukacją i wychowaniem. Artykuł pokazuje, jak prace naukowe rosyjskiego filozofa Jerzego Szczedrowickiego mogą pomóc współczesnej antropologii pedagogicznej. Podano ogólną ocenę wkładu J. Szczedrowickiego w rozwój antropologii pedagogicznej i zwrócono uwagę na aktualność praktyk naukowych naukowca, które nie straciły aktualnie na znaczeniu i mogą być wykorzystywane zarówno w pedagogice, antropologii pedagogicznej, jak i edukacji międzykulturowej.

The study analyzes student, school and district level inequalities of Albanian education system as evidenced in two large-scale assessments. Two main datasets were used for this study, PISA 2018 and the Albanian State Matura Exam 2017. Due to the limited availability of data, the study could only consider a small number of dependent variables at the individual, school, and district level. Utilizing a multilevel analysis, the study observes considerable differences among schools and districts in all three PISA domains and the State Matura Exam. The results were inconclusive regarding shortages of resources at the school and district level. Staff shortage was associated with academic performance in the PISA 2018 dataset, but no statistical association could be identified with the lack of school resources. The analysis of the district financial resources did not show any significant relationship between spending and school performance in the Albanian State Matura Exam. Gender disparities were present in both datasets. Socioeconomic factors, which were measured only in the PISA dataset, had an effect on the student’ achievement.

The Impact of Closed Administrative-Territorial Units on the Economic Development of Russia

The main goal of this article is to present the impact of closed administrative- territorial units on the economic development of Russia. Moreover, the paper contains information on the functioning of science cities in the Russian Federation and presents information on the financial results of the company Norylski Nikiel.

Narration in Pedagogy – Meaning, Research, Interpretations

The author addresses the position of narratives in the field of educational studies, the meaning of narratives, methodological conditions for research into narratives as well as the possibilities and limits of interpretation related to narrative research. The author argues for the importance of narratives for educational studies, because as a field of knowledge and academic discipline it relies on access to particular forms of individual experience. Educational studies need access to experience related to the subjectivities of those involved in educational processes – educators and pupils. Narratives as a departure point for learning about and understanding another person, her relations with others, intentions and course of her educational actions – as an educator or a pupil – is an important area for educational studies, which promises to open new perspectives of knowledge.

The aim of this study is to present the results of analyses of PhD dissertations defended abroad and in the Czech Republic in the years 2006–2012 in the field of foreign language didactics. Building on a body of previous work, methodological background for a meta-analysis of the topics of PhD dissertations defended in selected countries abroad as well as for an analysis of PhD dissertations defended in the Czech Republic is presented. The results are then discussed and compared. We conclude that the range of topics addressed in the Czech dissertations does not significantly differ from the state of art abroad, although some areas, such as language learners, seem to be under-researched in the Czech Republic

The purpose of the publication is to study the state and peculiarities of teaching European studies for students of technical specialties in higher educational institutions of Ukraine, mainly on the example of Lviv Polytechnic National University (hereinafter LPNU), where the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Chair project “European Studies for Technical Specialties” (hereinafter EUSTS) has been implemented since September 2022. The hypothesis of the presented research is the statement that with the strengthening of the European integration course of Ukraine the demand for knowledge about the European Union and the European integration of Ukraine among students of technical specialties is increasing, and university education is ready to satisfy such a request, applying the latest methods and approaches in the organization of education. The main focus is on clarifying the peculiarities of the formation of European studies in Ukraine; including not only classical, but also technical universities in this process; search for effective mechanisms for implementing knowledge about the EU into the educational process of students of technical specialties. To achieve the specified goals, a number of research methods were used, such as: historical-comparative, periodization, analysis of empirical data, systemic and structural-functional. It has been found that the development of European studies in Ukraine has gone through several stages of its formation. The first lasted from the moment Ukraine regained its state independence in 1991 and was characterized by the presence of limited opportunities in universities to introduce European studies in the conditions of a centralized higher education system. The second stage was marked by the adoption of the Law of Ukraine “On Higher Education” (2014), which, in fact, provided sufficient tools for the development of European studies in Ukrainian universities. Similarly, at that time, the study of the European Union and European integration was formed at Lviv Polytechnic National University, including for students of technical specialties. On the basis of statistical data, it has been concluded that among the students of the National Academy of Sciences, there is a growing interest in the study of academic disciplines related to the EU and the European integration course of Ukraine. To a large extent, this is explained by the current political status of Ukraine as a candidate for EU membership and the strengthening of Ukrainian society’s support for the process of European integration as a result of Russian aggression. Accordingly, a number of educational disciplines have been introduced for students of technical specialties at the level of LPNU in recent years, which form knowledge about the EU and European integration, but only thanks to the implementation of international projects here, mainly the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet programs. This creates prerequisites for the fact that, in the future, separate educational programs in European studies can be developed at the university, which are most expedient to implement at the second (master’s) and third (PhD) educational levels. It is important that they focus on those policies of the EU and European integration directions of Ukraine that are of particular interest to students of technical specialties, for example, EU digital policy, EU energy policy, EU policy in the field of climate, environmental protection, etc. The acquired competences will not only allow the graduates of LPNU to implement European standards and values in their professional activities, but also to more effectively use the EU toolkit in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. Also, taking into account the recommendations of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Ukraine and the political situation of the state, it is worth introducing a mandatory educational discipline for all students of technical specialties of Ukrainian universities on the topic of the European Union, its principles, foundations and values, as well as the features of Ukraine’s European integration progress in various areas.

The article contains a reconstruction of the struggle for linguistic dominance in global science over the centuries. In the beginning, the author presents various contexts of the role that Latin played in science in previous centuries. Then he presents the importance of French and German in this regard and the reasons for their decline. In turn, he analyzes the phenomenon of the dominance of English in contemporary global science; from its genesis through its increasing status to nearly its monopoly. What follows is the discussion of the controversies related to the primacy of the English language in scientific discourse: the accompanying epistemological and cultural invasion related to Anglo-Saxon values and the marginalization of native languages. The author also shows the distortion of content, ideas, thoughts and style when translating scientific texts from native languages into English, in order to adapt them to the assumptions of Western culture. However, there are also the views the essence of which is the conviction that publishing in English allows scientists to participate in global science and gain global visibility, as well as those that assume that modern scientific English has got rid of its imperial values and has a neutral nature, it is simply a form of international communication. In conclusion, the author expresses his belief that regardless of the language of publishing, scientists can maintain such values as passion and academic freedom.

Origin and Methodology of the Study of Educational Plans of Youth from Grudziądz and the Region of Grudziądz

The research was handled by The Action-research in Contemporary Culture and Education – Practice and Theory team, and was commissioned by Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University. The examination was held in 30 km radius from Grudziądz – the most efficient distance in terms of economics and everyday travels. We’ve found schools in Świecie, Nowe and Łasin in a circle of our interest. The population of examined region is ca. 155 000. An unemployment rate is significantly higher than average (over 29% in a region). Weak educational infrastructure, no industry. Research was conducted from March 20’ to April 18’ 2013 on 2016 students in 18 schools (regular and technical high schools). The main aim of studies was characteristic of a-level and pre-a-level students from Grudziądz and Grudziądz region and their educational plans. We focused especially on plans regarding higher education. All public school students, from all the high schools, were participating in a research. The auditorial survey was a main used method. The questionnaire was divided in 3 parts. The first was general information part, the second was educational plans part. The questionnaire contained also a set of questions to estimate economical, social, and cultural level - according to P. Bourdieu’s theory. The main examination was preluded by pilot examination which allowed us to tune up a research tool and a method.

The Phenomenon of Grudziądz. The Case of a City without a Higher Education Facility

The article is an attempt of characteristic – Grudziądz as a specific educational environment - phenomenon. As it was proved, Grudziądz is the biggest (almost 100 000 citizens, #40 in the biggest Polish cities list) city with no own university. This status might be both a cause and a result of other city’s problems. First of all – Grudziądz has the highest unemployment rate among all Polish cities – over 23%. Secondly Grudziądz has less investments than other cities in that region. Moreover, thirdly, there’s an proved opinion, that Grudziądz is unpopulating and is so called “town for a rent”. Situation on a educational market and a general economic and social condition causes in specific choices of young Grudziądzans. 1. They plan higher education more often. 2. They declare different set of majors than young Poles in general. Dominating faculties are: medicine, law, education, economics, architecture. 3. We’re finding a huge different – again in comparison to a general data – in a category of school type. Domination of universities, and no private universities. 4. Major – over 78% – chose regular full time studies. Specific a above mentioned choices indicates conservative and safe approach to youths future. Moreover it proves a responsibility. What’s even more important those date may be related to an information about leaving family home plans – that is why we may call it the accelerated adulthood and independence.

What childhood is? Pedagogical analysis about childhood studies

Interest in children and childhood has changed through the years. The changes were involved in theoretical ways of defining children and youth. Nowadays, these categories are intangible. It is evident that through ages, adults have changed how they treat children, think about childhood, and plan and research children and youth. The change from traditional to modern categories must be the clue to understanding childhood studies. The main reason for writing this paper was to discuss childhood research and studies. At the beginning are presented the historical contexts of the childhood research paradigm. In addition, basic ideas are shown about the modern formation of childhood studies. Moreover, the clue of this paper below is to show a paradigm change: a transition from traditional childhood to a modern one called childhood. The article is based on pedagogy and social studies literature. Also, it is a theoretical discussion about child and childhood studies.

The aim of the article is to analyze the state of research on the Commission of National Education in the context of its anniversaries, especially anniversary celebrations and scientific achievements in 1873, 1973, 2013 and 2023. The historical-comparative method was used, which is used in research on the course of phenomena and processes taking place in past and is based mainly on the analysis of historical sources. Ceremonies commemorating the founding of KEN provoke increased interest in its merits, because the achievements of this distinguished institution are still in the center of attention, not only of historians, education historians, educators, lawyers, but also of those who treat the Polish Enlightenment tradition as an inspiration for reforming the education system. And this is hardly surprising, because the National Education Commission inspired young people with the spirit of citizenship and patriotism, and thus contributed to the survival of Polish culture and language. Moreover, subsequent anniversary celebrations are also a great way to pay tribute to the members and people cooperating with KEN. Generally, these are activities that serve to consolidate historical memory, because good memory of the past is also a clear awareness of the connection with the present.

The paper informs about experience of realization of the combination study “Specialization in Pedagogy – Teaching Special Subjects” at the Pedagogical Faculty, University of Ostrava. It also presents results of the research focused on the evaluation of the organization aspect of this study, study and text support and the balance between the distance and presence form.

This paper deals with the problem of school climate and research into it. We introduce results of school climate assessment at grammar school from the viewpoint of students, teachers and parents.

This paper informs about the development of courses realised at the Pedagogical Faculty of the University of Ostrava in a combined study. It is engaged in the course of the Special Subject Teaching Studies in detail, which is guaranteed by the Department of Technical and Vocational Education.