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.

Evolution of International Society in the New Dynamics of International Relations

In the classical meaning, the international society consisting of sovereign states plays a role of an international environment in the international system. Taking into consideration the dynamic transformation in the world politics after the Cold War, globalization, the strengthened international interdependence in its vertical, as well as horizontal realms, and the institutionalization of international social and political spheres fuels the discussion about the future of the international society, its inner structural changes, common norms, values, and rules. The thesis of the paper is the claim that the changes in international state-society reflecting the dynamic of world politics and the global trends do change the character of the international society, but do not change its essence. A growing and seemingly lasting process is strengthening the role of culture and identity in shaping the new structure of the international society.

American “Post-soap Opera” – A New Generation of TV Series not Only on Television

The purpose of this article is to analyze the cultural phenomenon of new generation TV series, called „post-soap operas”. They have changed the entire formula of TV series as a genre, e.g. the way they are watched and distributed. „Post-soap operas” constitute also the main factor of the so called „collective intelligence”. In the article a new genre of TV series has been examined through the examples of two popular shows: Lost and Fringe. J.J. Abrams – the main producer of those series – is considered a visionary and genius by many. His products are perceived as the quintessence of „post-soap operas”. Popular TV series become international blockbusters and are distributed legally through television and DVD and illegally by the Internet. This phenomenon occurs also in our country – Polish subtitles for episodes of popular TV series appear on the Internet in less than 24 hours after they have been aired on American television. Internet is full of websites created by fans and TV producers aimed at sharing information and files. They also works as a opinion sharing platforms used for discussions about favorite TV shows.

What Volunteers Cause Social Change? – Comparative Research of Volunteer Groups Working with the Disabled

The aim of the study was to compare two groups of volunteers who work with people with disabilities: volunteers working in organizations led by social innovators and volunteers who are not affiliated to such organizations. The results show a different picture of both groups in the area of the declared value, objectives and attitudes towards people with disabilities. Volunteers working with social innovators have lower rates of misanthropy, higher individual indicators of social capital, and a higher rate of partnership and innovative attitude. The paper presents guidelines how to work with people with disabilities to maximize their integration into society and create social change.

Methodological Culture and Reporting Empirical Research Published in the Leading Polish Journals on Education

The article provides a methodological review of research reports published in the main Polish journals of education. The query encompass the papers published in the seven journals from 2008 to 2011. Ones of the properties which have been observed are: research strategy, research question and hypothesis, type of sampling, size of sample, method of data collection and data analysis, and include type of statistical analysis. The results show that reports where quantitative strategy was used are overrepresented. In many cases generalization of research results has been done by authors. Moreover, this generalization was independent from type of sampling, research strategy and design. There was not differences in the scope of report transparency. The analysis also points out the diversity of research strategy due to affiliation of authors and overrepresentation of authors from two universities.

E-learning as a Diffusion of Innovation in the Rural Areas of the European Union

Early observations show that the introduction of e-learning to the rural areas of the EU has brought fewer advantages than had initially been expected. Results of international research – interpreted by means of the sociological theory of diffusion – indicate that economic profitability does not have much influence on the pace of disseminating that innovation since rural inhabitants – both those following e-learning courses as well as those who have not yet done so – largely feel that that type of education has a variety of advantages including the lowering of its costs. It seems that its social profitability has a crucial influence on the poor dissemination of this new form of teaching and learning. E-learning has not yet found its niche in the value systems or educational experiences of Europe’s rural populations, since – rather like other forms of education – it does not automatically improve the capability of coping with current day-to-day problems. A better adaptation to the needs of rural inhabitants through the perception of various types of deficits hindering the usage of this type of education is intended by the so-called innovative e-learning, implementing new and generally innovative solutions to the pedagogical, technological and organisational fields which overcome existing limitations through a greater flexibility of ways of potential participants accessing e-learning proposals as well as greater adaptation to individual needs.

Engagement in Parenthood against the Background of the Contemporary Family

Parental experiences are integrated into a complex system of cultural, social and economic processes. Dichotomous view of reality in which the high valuation of family and parenthood in Poland follow in the wake of negative demographic indicators contradict presented assessments. So there is a question about causes of the current state and how the issue of functioning in parental roles relates to the postmodernism, for which affirmation of independence and lack of commitment is characteristic. This paper presents an attempt to define involvement in parenting and research project that came as a result of searching an answer to the question about the correlation between parental involvement and self-creation of adults. Because parenting expresses interpersonal dimension of the individual activity, its quality has two-subjective consequences, i.e. it affects both sides of the parent-child relationship. Therefore, the second aspect of reported studies concerns the correlation between parenting involvement and education, recognized in terms of parental attitudes. The results indicate the possibility to notice implications of parental involvement expressed in self-creation experience of adults and desirable condition of child development, as defined mainly by parental attitude of acceptance. Involved parents actively participate in the care and upbringing of children and such activity promotes a sense of self-improvement. The idea of self-creation as a result of the parental role contradicts the attitude defined as freedom from children (called childfree), according to which the care and education of children are the source of limited individual development.

Education Towards Difference and Inclusion. Two Types of Discourse – Towards Positive Pedagogy

Pedagogy at the Crossroads

8th Polish Pedagogical Congress. Open? Inclusive? Political?

Education – Inclusion – Differences. Issues Important for “Pedagogical Memory”

Has the Formula of Pedagogical Congresses Been Exhausted? Author’s Impressions and Observations

Poster on the Easel. The Power of Medium – the Power of Words or Images? Imagination Test on Level 400 in the Rotunda

Anke Grotlüschen, Wibke Riekmann [eds] , Funktionaler Analphabetismus in Deutschland [Functional Illiteracy in Germany], Münster 2012

Beata Kosová, Filozofické a globalne súvislosti edukácie [Philosophy and Global Context of Education], Banská Bystrica 2013

Nicholas Carr, Płytki umysł. Jak Internet wpływa na nasz mózg [Th e Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains, New York 2010], Gliwice 2013

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