bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IMPLEMENTASI E-GOVERNMENT PUBLIC RELATIONS SEBAGAI PENINGKATAN PELAYANAN PUBLIK, DILINGKUNGAN PEMERINTAH DAERAH DI JAWA TIMUR DAN NUSA TENGGARA BARAT
Authors: Trisnani Trisnani
Published: December 2018

Survei  Implementasi E-Government Public Relations Sebagai Peningkatan Pelayanan Publik, Dilingkungan Pemerintah Daerah, telah dilaksanakan pada bulan april 2018. Menggunakan metode survei dengan pendekatan  deskriptif  kuantitatif, latar belakang penelitian ini, di era digital sudah seharusnya pelayanan publik menggunakan kanal-kanal yang terintegrasi untuk memudahkan masyarakat mencari informasi. Permasalahnya adalah 1). Bagaimana pemahaman ASN terhadap pelayanan informasi publik secara online? 2). Bagaimana proses penggunaan media sosial sebagai peningkatan peran pelayanan publik oleh Public Relations pemerintah daerah Kabupaten/kota  di jawa Timur dan Nusa Tenggara Barat?. 3).  seberapa besar penggunaan Penggunaan Instant Messaging Untuk pelayanan informasi Publik? 4). bagaimana sikap ASN Public Relations terhadap penerapan integrasi jaringan yang digunakan untuk proses komunikasi antara pemerintah pusat dan daerah?  Hasilnya ASN sebagian besar memahami pelayanan publik secra online, ASN secara individu  sebagian besar menggunakan media sosial. ASN  sebagian besar menggnakan Instant Messaging. Sikap ASN terhadap penerapan integrasi jaringan sebagian besar sangat setuju. Hasil penelitian ini, termasuk kategori positif karena jumlah rata-rata ASN Pablic relations memiliki Pemahaman, kecenderungan dan perilaku setuju menggunakan TIK dan Media sosial serta integrasi jaringan  lebih dari 50%.
Innovation and investment monitoring as a tool of information support for activisation of the innovation and investment activity of an enterprise
Authors: Kryvonohova Iryna , Muzhailo Vasyl
Published: December 2018

Introduction. Information support for innovation and investment activity is an independent tool of its activisation and is a process of continuous purposeful selection of relevant integrated indicators, which are necessary for the coordination of planning, control, production and collecting information on all areas of innovation and investment activities. The main methodological tool of information support for innovative and investment activity should be a monitoring method, which is a component of the controlling system and allows a manager to control the implementation of innovation and investment strategy on the basis of the indicators monitoring.
Aim and tasks. The aim of this work is to provide methodological basis for organization of innovation and investment monitoring system at the enterprise as a tool of information support for activisation of its innovation and investment activity.
Research results. Innovation and investment monitoring should be considered as a system of monitoring, evaluation and forecasting of key changes in innovation and investment activity of an economic entity. The methodical basis of the innovation and investment controlling are the indicators of production and financial accounting, integrated into a single database based on the modern information and communication technologies. Innovation and investment monitoring includes three components: monitoring of the external environment of the investment projects, monitoring of the general results of the strategic investment plan, monitoring of the specific actions performance (monitoring of efforts and individual results).
The article considers the management support system building, which constitutes of subsystems for personal information, analysts, operational, middle and senior management level.
Conclusions. Information support for innovation and investment activities is an independent direction of its activation and is a process of continuous targeted selection of relevant integrated indicators. Monitoring method is considered as the main methodological tool of information support for the activation of innovation and investment activity. In order to build information and investment monitoring system it is proposed to use the suggested conceptual approach to the formation of innovation and investment controlling, system of indicators of innovation and investment monitoring, monitoring of legislative support of innovation and investment activities, the appropriate information systems in the enterprise.
Social point on the evaluation of accounting
Authors: Araftenii Anastasia , Bashynska Maryna
Published: December 2018

Introduction. Transformation of social priorities of economic development of country and separate subjects of menage, actualization of them social responsibility unavoidable predetermines the adequate change of the system of record-keeping. The lack of development of going near the account of socially responsible enterprises requires in accordance with principle heredity of scientific comprehension of previous experience of record-keeping of activity of subjects of menage and establishment of possibilities of his use for the decision of the put task.
Aim and tasks. The purpose of this floor  is a ground teoretiko-methodological principles of record-keeping of economic activity on a socially responsible enterprise,  research of social aspect of evolution of record-keeping.
Research results. On all levels of economy look after expansion of circle formalization of requirements of «important» users of accounting information. Conducted a retrospective analysis testifies that a record-keeping was formed under act of various economic and social factors. Probably, it grounds to assert that adequate division into periods of theory of record-keeping, in essence, impossible. As an aggregate of criteria which defined the process of development of record-keeping is so riznoplanova,, obviously, beside the purpose to try to build it universal division into periods. At the same time can trace the periods of development of record-keeping, related to expansion of composition of persons economic interests of which are served by a record-keeping, that determined his evolution from old times and until now.
Conclusions. The conducted retrospective analysis of record-keeping proves that on every stage of his development of decision of conflict between the aim of primary users and «informative productivity» of his methodology caused the origin of new registration procedures, receptions, principles, and also expansion or perfection of his functions. On the modern stage of community development the change of the system of socio-economic relations and values predetermines new vision of aim of account in the context of accordance of capital flow and calculations between the participants of economic обороту to principles of social responsibility and social politics of enterprise. In the total a reflection appeared a necessity in the account of not only property but also social accountability of enterprise before the participants of economic process and regular accounting about his economic, social and ecological consequences. The marked predetermines transformation of object, expansion of objects and necessity of improvement of methodology book-keeping
Competition and its influence on the development of the insurance market
Authors: Slobodianiuk Olha
Published: December 2018

Problem. The emergence of a new number of business entities of all forms of ownership and their own methods of doing business lead to the development of the market economy infrastructure and its formation in Ukraine. The threat of bankruptcy, fierce competition leads entrepreneurs to the need to apply new market methods for recovering costs and doing business. Therefore, each insurance company plans its activities in choosing the optimal directions of its work in order to achieve maximum profits operating today on the insurance market and leading positions among its competitors, both in terms of providing services and strategic development.
In a market environment, fierce competition gives each insurance company the opportunity to efficiently and efficiently use its resources, provide high-quality services, conduct its business transparently in accordance with current legislation and be competitive on the market. To have a leading position in the insurance market helps with the obligatory rating of each insurance company, which prompts it to improve the key indicators. Thus, solving the current actual problem of each insurance company, as improving its rating among others, will provide reliability, solvency and financial independence of this company.
Aim and tasks. The purpose of the article is to consider the theoretical foundations of rating of insurance companies for their further competitive advantages in the insurance market of Ukraine.
The results. The article describes the concept of ratings of insurance companies. Conducted competitive analysis of  TOP-20 indices of insurance companies. Ways of competitive advantages are offered on basis of these indicators.
Conclusions. Competition in the insurance market provides a fair competition among insurance companies in order to receive new customers, which will ensure greater profits. Fair competition ensures on the insurance market an improvement in the quality of insurance for insurers, introduces new types of services and the latest technologies for their provision, improves existing ones, develops the market itself and finds compromises among all its participants. The analysis of insurance companies' ratings shows strengths and weaknesses in the work of each company, leads them to the leading positions and ensures transparency in the market. Thus, the introduction of obligatory rating of each insurance company positively influences the development of a further strategy of the company's development, its organizational structure, the quality of providing insurance services and, above all, its competitiveness in the insurance market of Ukraine.
The influence of bitcoin ecosystem on digital economy
Authors: Makarova Mariana
Published: December 2018

Introduction. Bitcoin is a digital, decentralized, partially anonymous currency, not supported by any government or legal entity and not provided with gold or other goods. It relies on a peer-to-peer network and cryptography to maintain its integrity. The proponents claim that Bitcoin has many properties that could make it an ideal currency for consumers and merchants in a modern digital economy.
Aim and tasks. The purpose of article was to determine and analyze impact of  Bitcoin ecosystem on global digital economy. The research objectives were as follows:  to specify the concept of  Bitcoin ecosystem; to study the trends and prospects of cryptocurrencies development;  to determine the role of Bitcoin as an alternative mean of preserving capital for investors – «gold bugs»; to compare the influence of gold and Bitcoin on development of  a world financial system;  to study the importance of  Bitcoin and gold as financial assets of digital economy and the role of Bitcoin as a financial instrument inherent in this economy.
Research results. The concept of  Bitcoin ecosystem, its main components, factors and risks of development in historical and logical aspects are considered. The tendencies and prospects of cryptocurrencies  development,  particullary Bitcoin, their influence on traditional E-commerce, conduction of micro-payments, calculations in a  field of virtual games are investigated. The role of  Bitcoin as an alternative mean of capital preservation for a certain type of investors is determined. The comparative analysis of an influence of gold and Bitcoin on development of  world financial system in historical aspect has been carried out. The conclusions are made about  role of cryptocurrency (bitcoin) and gold as financial assets of  digital economy. The role of  Bitcoin as a financial tool corresponding to service requirements of actors of digital economy is determined.
Conclusion. In last few years in many countries the large-scale Bitcoin-ecosystem and economy has developed with tens of millions of  Bitcoins which daily change owners in electronic transactions. These funds still have a small amount relative to the rest of  world's trading assets and economy.
Today, while the digital currencies work in the semi-legal field in most countries, they may be a danger to national securities laws, be an instrument for tax evasion,  illegal banking,  money laundering, illicit drug trafficking, etc. This ability should be considered as one of the most unsafe risks of the functioning for Bitcoin ecosystem.
But this is just the beginning of transformations for globalized system, since both society, economy and finance will become fully digital. The problem now is how to find right application for cryptocurrency, so that it becomes a paradigm of financial trust for humanity, as was previously with gold.
Means of future economists’ professional self-development in the educational process of foreign language studying
Authors: Mushynska Natalia
Published: December 2018

Introduction.The research significance is conditioned by the fact that the problem of students’ professional self-development acquires great priority in the modern economic education. Today we aquire specialists who are capable on lifelong education, ready to expand their professional experience and possess abilities for critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a business environment. Future economist should be competitive in the conditions of innovations and rapid market changes.
Aim and tasks. In the given article the system of creative tasks is presented to organize professional training of future professional and researcher, his professional creative self-development, self-actualization, self-breeding, self-realization.
Research results. Summarizing the results of structural-analytical research of the contest of modern educationally-qualifying documentation, the basic requirements are distinguished and systematized to the modern bachelors of economy, who must have large cultural education, mature scientific worldview, personal integrity. They should constantly improve their professional level taking into account economic prosperity demands of Ukraine. Future economist should estimate market situation, determine the prospects of his further functioning at the market, to expose problems in financial-economic activity and develop the projects of its innovative improvement, to be structural in professionally-personality communication in different formats.
Conclusion. The system of creative tasks was developed for the professional disciplines from the curricula, which realizes professional self-development of future economists by means of the tasks that enable actualization of acquired professional skills, create conditions for cognitive motivation, critical thinking, which activate motivation for professional self-development, self-perfection, self-realization.
Creative tasks actualize professional self-development of future economists, enable to enrich students’ knowledge resources, their experience and intellectual-cognitive motivation for individual and professional self-development, self-perfection, self-realization.
State regulation of energy security in national economy
Authors: Koval Viktor
Published: December 2018

Introduction. In the conditions of dependence on the imported energy resources there is a problem of ensuring stability of the energy industry with counteraction to changes of the ambient and a possibility of reacting to actions for providing competitive positions and advantages of the state. A number of problems in energy industry need a support of necessary level of the energy security on the basis of providing own extraction with volume reduction of imported energy resources, increasing of the national products’ competitiveness in the world markets, development of innovations and investments into energy efficient technologies. In such conditions, it’s important to apply actions for ensuring economic security of the energy sector through the creating of an efficient program for the protection of the national interests in the energy sector, which will contribute to the national economy development.
Aim and tasks. The purpose of article is a researching of energy security and developing actions for state regulation of energy security.
Research results. The article outlines the priority directions of the state policy on ensuring the energy sector development which are identified as a main risks and adverse factors of influence on functioning of energy industry of Ukraine. And the necessity of energy security systems formation at the state level is grounded. The perspective increasing directions of energy security are the establishment of more adapted to transformations system of state regulation with market self-regulation elements. The state regulation of energy security in conditions of high level internationalization of national economy should be aimed at the harmonization of its technological and institutional aspects which influence the development and implementation of energy technologies and projects related to renewable energy sources. The state regulation requires further active development of institutional conditions for use of alternative energy resources and energy saving based on renewable energy.
Conclusion. To provide energy security it is necessary to improve the complex program of its development which will involve wide use of state regulation methods as well as public-private partnership development so the support of the implementation of investment projects will be provided. The important aspect in development of energy engineering is ensuring its economic security which will allow to level possible threats of the industry and to provide requirements of fuel and energy complex and industry for a long term. Energy security should be directed towards increasing energy efficiency which will promote reducing imports and depending on the supply of energy resources by other countries. State regulation of energy security should ensure the rational use of the energy sector potential and stable functioning of the energetic supply system which includes: implementation of energy efficiency and energy saving policies; increase of investment in energy engineering; reduction of environmental impact and emissions.
Measuring the Degree of English Teachers’ Motivation
Authors: KORAN Selçuk
Published: December 2018

Teacher motivation is essential for quality teaching. There are motivation measurement mechanisms devised by researchers and used in education in general and particularly in English language teaching. The presented research aims to create an effective mechanism of defining motivated, less motivated and demotivated English teachers. Using both qualitative and quantitative approaches, a survey triangle of English as foreign/second language teachers, of administration/supervisors and of L2 learners is suggested. Ten university English teachers at a large private university in Iraq were surveyed, using a questionnaire in order to reveal their level of motivation. Each statement/question in the survey was based on the postulates of different researchers, mainly psychologists, concerning human motivation. L2 learners were asked to fill in the questionnaires concerning their teachers’ successful teaching practices and commented on the teachers’ behavior in and outside the classroom. The research outcomes validated the suggested survey model for detecting motivated vs. demotivated English teachers. During the study many assumptions about teacher motivation were reexamined and confirmed. The research results are reflected in recommendations for administration in educational institutions and for English teachers concerning various issues of motivation. Hopefully, the article will contribute to better teaching/learning practices by means of enhancing English teachers’ motivation.
Applications of Goal Theory to Teaching Mathematics
Authors: SEKRETER Gulseren , DOGHONADZE Natela
Published: December 2018

The aim of this research is to examine the impact of Achievement Goal motivation Theory on students’ academic success.  Research asserts  that possesing  mastery-learning oriented motivation has a positive impact on students’ academic achievement. This study may be useful for students, teachers and administrators in the identification of college students who are considered at risk for math failure or students who are on the verge of dropping out of college. The research applies a quantitative method of study. Quantitative data have been analyzed using Elliot’s AGQ (Achievement Goal Questionnaire). In the case study of a private Suleyman Sah University, Turkey, the focus of the AGQ has been derived from the central research question: How and why applications of Achievement Goal Theory affect students’ success in mathematics at university? In order to identify students’ goal orientation,   Elliot’s AGQ was given to 53 students who were selected randomly in math classes. Their course exam results were compared to their motivational types. Based on the quantitative  data analiysis, the research suggests that the best way to change one’s thinking during a testing situation (and hence reduce or elminate one’s anxiety) is to intentionally change one’s performance goal and performance-avoidance goal into only a mastry-learning goal
The Importance of Raising Teacher Awareness of Culture-sensitive English Language Teaching
Authors: TVALCHRELIDZE Nino
Published: December 2018

It is straightforward that English language teachers in the 21st century face the daunting task educating students from diverse ethnic, racial, linguistic and religious background. It has become pivotal for teachers to raise their own cultural understanding first to be successful educators.  This study demonstrates to what extent English language teachers in Georgia value and practice culture-sensitive English language teaching and learning. The study concluded that at first teachers have to grasp the inseparability of language and culture to achieve students’ success in gaining communicative competence in English language. Based on the results of the study, English language teachers, in order to raise their cultural awareness are recommended: to participate in periodic in-service trainings, workshops and regional or national conferences that focus on target and international culture;  to receive in-service professional training through participation in  professional associations such as English Teachers’ Association of Georgia (ETAG), Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Foreign Language Teachers Association; the Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research (SIERAR); to subscribe to the journals and other publications of these professional associations.
Undergraduate Iraqi Students’ Awareness of Social Mobile Media and Their Attitudes to Mobile Learning
Authors: YAGCI Tahsin
Published: December 2018

In recent years advances in social networking and rapid developments in wireless internet technologies stimulated all of us to integrate and use them in our lives. Smart mobile technology industries are racing with each other to launch the newest model for their consumers. The biggest market beyond the dispute is teenagers and young generation. Of course, the adults cannot be ignored, either. The general aim to use the social network is for communication and sharing information. During the daytime students want to keep in touch with their peers. The most common electronic devices are smart mobile phones and the top rate for social networking website is Facebook. This study aims to seek for and clarify the perceptions and the attitudes of undergraduate students in Northern Iraq, using electronic devices, in particular, smart mobile devices. What kinds of social media tools and platforms they are registered to? How often do they benefit from their accounts? What is their frequency to login to internet access and what part of the day do students use their mobile devices? What are students’ general purposes to use social media? – these were the questions asked in the research. This article emphasizes the diversity according to gender, faculty, grade, universities, etc. In addition, it seeks for the distribution of social media accounts. An online survey, conducted among different university students to recognize the ratio between various institutions, came to a conclusion that undergraduate students in Northern Iraq are equipped with sufficient smart devices to get involved in mobile learning via using social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.
Strategies to Support the Enhancement of Listening Comprehension (A Case of Ishik University English Preparatory School
Authors: YILDIZ Naci
Published: December 2018

Teaching listening while dealing with a foreign language has largely been neglected, as, on the one hand, it has been expected that L1 listening strategies would be automatically transferred on L2 and, on the other hand, as listening skills are sophisticated, hence, difficult to investigate and teach. However, as the skill which is prerequisite for two-sided oral communication and as a valuable source of comprehensible input, listening deserves much more attention than has got until today, either in teaching practice or in research. This study attempts to show the influence of developing learners’ listening strategies on the improvement of their comprehension skills. In an experimental study with 40 students at Ishik University (Iraq) it was found that the use of strategies in the listening process considerably enhanced the achievement of learners.
Student-Centered Education in the XXI century
Authors: DOGHONADZE Natela
Published: December 2018

Editorial
Comparing the Effectiveness of Form-Focused and Meaning-Focused Instructions in EFL Teaching
Authors: ÇELIK Bunyamin
Published: December 2018

While meaning-focused instruction is based on the idea that learners learn the second language if they follow the natural principles of first language learning, form-focused instruction pays much attention to linguistic form. Two groups were formed and had a five-week extensive reading program in this study. The control group received meaning-focused instruction and experimental group underwent form-focused instruction. The study found that both form-focused and meaning focused instruction are to a certain degree effective for the increase of vocabulary, grammar and reading proficiency. Though to some extent more efficient than form-focused instruction, meaning focused instruction alone will not greatly raise the mentioned skills, thus a recommendation is given to apply both approaches and to study the efficiency of the mixed approach.
The Case of Mobile-assisted Language Learning among Undergraduate Language Learners in Georgia
Authors: CHKOTUA Maia
Published: December 2018

Mobile learning is one of the developing areas in educational field. Power of computers and laptops has changed the way learning happen and made it easy to access all materials and resources. A rapidly growing amount of literature in the area of mobile learning depicts the increasing use of mobile technologies for learning. Mobile phones as a new addition to information and communication technologies have created new ways to help learners in the process of foreign language learning. The main aim of the study was to find out university students’ attitudes towards mobile learning in Georgia and the potential of it to enhance the English language proficiency. The methodology used for the study was an online questionnaire. The results revealed that most of the respondents have positive attitudes towards mobile learning and believe that mobile phones could be used to enhance the English language proficiency.
The Role of Turkmen Folk Tales in Children’s Education
Authors: KARABAYIR Muhammet
Published: December 2018

The aim of this research is investigating the role and the mission of fairy tales for the elementary school children and finding out what kind of contribution they might have for pedagogical sphere in general. Four fairy tales and their pedagogical components have been studied. Brief summaries are presented. We tried to show that fairy tales, when selected carefully, play an important role in developing children individually and socially and thus can become an important aspect of children’s education. Children who are the main factor of the educational process may become more successful when they play an active role in this particular process rather than being a participant of the ‘classical’ teaching methods when the knowledge is being presented directly by the teacher. Fairy tales, which are one of the most important aspects of active involvement in learning, form a fundamental ground for children’s involvement in the process of acquiring knowledge. Children can identify themselves with a hero of a particular tale, thus having an opportunity to experience the events presented in that tale. This allows a child to gain permanent knowledge and decreases the possibility of forgetting the acquired information.
The Effect of Project–Based Learning on Undergraduate EFL Students’ Reading Comprehension Ability
Authors: KAVLU Aziza
Published: December 2018

Globalization in the 21st century and rapid strides in technology have increased the need for communication in English as is has become a lingua franca. English is also needed as a tool to assist academic advancement, career promotion and information-seeking in general. Hence, good English reading comprehension ability and a sufficient vocabulary range are both vital for university students for these purposes. Therefore, educators have to take into consideration these improvements and attempt to apply various innovative approaches during the education process. Project–Based Learning (PBL) is an approved method that equips learners not only with the 21st century skills (critical-thinking, problem-solving, life–long learning skills, creativity, innovation, collaboration, real-life- setting communication skills), but also has remarkable effects on enhancing learners’ English language skills. The main purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the implementation of PBL and elementary level EFL learners’ reading comprehension ability. The present study investigates whether learners’ reading comprehension ability and vocabulary skills improve with the application of PBL. Forty-five first year Faculty of Education students at Ishik University (Iraq, Erbil) participated in the study, in which the experimental group was taught reading comprehension using PBL methods, while the control group – without PBL. The results confirm that the measured variables (reading and vocabulary skills) showed a significant positive progress in the experimental group. The researcher indicates that reading and acquiring required vocabulary become more efficient and enjoyable for students, when PBL is implemented.
Assessment of EFL learners’ Sociolinguistic and Pragmatic Competence and Performance
Authors: KORAN Elvira
Published: December 2018

Communicative competence has been a fundamental issue for foreign/second language teaching methodology and a cornerstone of language classrooms for about four decades. Its two essential components - sociolinguistic and pragmatic competences, though ubiquitously acknowledged as crucial for language teaching/learning, are not adequately, according to modern methodological requirements, taught and learned. The present article aimed to succinctly review the main aspects of the two competences as presented by linguists and educators, to draw a line between language performance and competence, to revisit the major forms of testing and assessing language learners’ sociolinguistic and pragmatic competences, corresponding performance and oral proficiency. It was intended to test sociolinguistic and pragmatic knowledge and performance of L2 learners; to assess the learners’ overall oral proficiency in the target language and to compare the results of the two above procedures. The aim of the undertaking was to define what relationship exists between the three tested and assessed phenomena, i.e., whether or not acquiring the competence in the target language entails performance and enhances learners’ fluency.  Implementing all the tasks scheduled enabled the researcher to elicit the necessary data and to draw conclusions concerning the interdependence  between language competence and performance/proficiency; to suggest recommendations for refinement of L2 learner evaluation practice, for improving language programs in terms of teaching/ learning communicative competence and its components and for better understanding of cognitive processes which take place in L2 learners when dealing with performance and competence in the target language.
Recent Research in Black Sea Region on Motivation in Education (Review)
Authors: DOGHONADZE Natela , FEDORCHUK Iryna
Published: December 2018

Motivation in education - that of administrators, teachers and especially students - has always been one of essential preconditions of efficient learning and teaching. By itself it does not guarantee achievement, especially measures by testing and grades, but it created a good background for efficient learning. And vice versa, lack of motivation usually has a negative impact of achievement. Various aspects of motivation have been researched, and the topic seems eternal and inexhaustible.  This review presents some research that has been recently held in the Black Sea region countries concerning motivation in education.
Preparing the Non-Native English-Speaking Teacher (NNEST) For the EFL Classroom: A Teacher Trainer Perspective
Authors: AL HARIRI Khalid
Published: December 2018

This article explores the attitudes of English language teacher trainers (ELTTs) toward how Non-Native English Speaking Teachers (NNESTs) should be prepared to succeed in teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL). A number of ELTTs were surveyed to share their opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of NNEST Trainees in respect of language, culture, and the use of modern teaching methodology. Then, the trainers compared and contrasted some aspects between native and non-native English-speaking teacher trainees. Finally, the results indicate certain aspects that NNESTs need to be more aware of and that native English speakers must also be trained before entering the EFL world.
Georgian High School Students’ Attitudes towards Classroom Reading
Authors: CHKOTUA Maia , TARASHVILI Tamar
Published: December 2018

Reading is widely accepted as one of the most important second/foreign language skills as it offers language learners the opportunity to acquire a variety of lexical items, grammatical structures, and additional schematic knowledge. It is quite difficult to motivate language learners to read more in the classroom. Many school teachers are unaware of specific ways and strategies to motivate language learners to read. The study aimed to investigate Georgian 10th grade students’ motivation to learn language and their attitudes towards classroom reading. The sample of the study consisted of fifty students. The results of the study indicated that students were more motivated integratively than instrumentally. Classroom reading was less interesting for them because they were less interested in the topics included in their text books. It can be concluded that there is a need for more varied and interesting reading topics to increase students’ motivation towards classroom reading. The goal of the paper is to show to teachers that students, on the one hand, realize the importance of classroom (i.e., intensive) reading, but, on the other hand, are bored with the way it is normally taught. It is teachers’ task to find out the students’ needs and motivation and to take measures to increase the motivation.
Reconceptualization of the Concept of Quality in Education: An Exploratory Study
Authors: ERGUVAN M. Murat
Published: December 2018

The definition of quality is vague, let alone the educational quality. There are so many different perceptions around that we find it quite difficult to produce a single definition of quality. This study attempts to analyze the quality definitions offered by the quality experts of the last century, as well as modern researchers coming from different scientific areas, and find out a way to summarize the definitions. The study also includes the issue of educational quality (with specific reference to Georgian higher education setting) and tries to find a definition of quality in higher education through the stakeholders’ eyes. Having examined various views on the definition of quality put forward by researchers, the study identifies 9 properties of quality under the headings of: Method, Attribute, Scope, Process, Party, Aspect, Perception, Concept, and Influence. A Wordle diagram provides a visual idea about the main terms used to define quality in literature, and a table in the appendix sums up the definitions under 9 property headings together in more detail. This study is part of the author’s unpublished doctoral dissertation about total quality management principles in higher education.
The Impact of Reading for Pleasure on Georgian University EFL Students’ Reading Comprehension (IBSU Case)
Authors: GOCTU Ramazan
Published: December 2018

Reading is one of the most significant skills, particularly for EFL students. Many students today do not have the reading skills needed to do effective work in their courses. This paper explores reading for pleasure, its importance and impact on reading comprehension. Pleasure reading helps students to communicate, listen and, most importantly, to express themselves freely and it also allows them to acquire specific language skills. That is why reading for pleasure is definitely important. An experimental study using reading for pleasure was carried out at international Black Sea University for eight weeks with 42 English Philology freshman students. The experimental group was given texts for their selection: newspaper articles and graded readers on various topics which students were interested in, while the control group has just read the reading excerpts and texts which are given in their course book. The duration of the experiment was 8 weeks. Pre- and post-tests were implemented to determine the degree of improvement of students’ reading comprehension skills. The experimental group showed better improvement of comprehension skills.  The study demonstrated a measurable positive effect of reading for pleasure on students’ language acquisition.
The Challenge of Grading in Self and Peer-Assessment (Undergraduate Students’ and University Teachers’ Perspectives)
Authors: GURBANOV Elmir
Published: December 2018

The goal of the article is to find out the challenges of grading in student self and peer-assessment from teachers’ and students’ perspectives and to suggest ways to cope with them. Peer and self-assessment have accumulated a great significance in the last few decades related to vast application of the cognitive approach and the attempts of making students active agents of educational process rather than passive recipients of information. The overwhelming majority of modern educators believe that these concepts are the cornerstones of modern pedagogy and contributes to the promotion of learner autonomy to a great extent. Therefore, they lead to an improved learning environment and better learning outcomes. However, the concepts have some challenges when it comes to the final stage - grading. Depending on the social, cultural, and educational background, grading of the peer and self-assessment may be accompanied by hesitation and uncertainty as well as subjectivity and lack of reliability. In this work, the issue was investigated from two perspectives, teacher and student, to find out how the stakeholders perceive the problem and what can be done to cope with challenge of grading in self and peer-assessment. The research uses a questionnaire consisting of 20 questions with participation of 31 teachers and 100 students at Qafqaz University, Baku, Azerbaijan, to come to the conclusion about the issue addressing the challenge. The work is believed to be useful for educators to apply self and peer-assessment effectively, and also it can be a useful source for further research in the field.
Problems of Novice Teachers: Challenges vs. Support
Authors: KOCA Abdurrahman
Published: December 2018

Each year thousands of students (novice teachers) get a degree to start teaching. 30% to 50% teachers leave their jobs in the first five years of their carrier around the world. The novice teachers often appear to be in need of helpful feedback in their first years from experienced colleagues and administrators. The goal of this survey was to find out the problems that beginning teachers face in their first years of teaching, and investigate the support they get in these years from their colleagues and administrators. A conclusion is made that beginning teachers are not emotionally and practically ready to face the difficulties of teaching alone. Teachers are having challenges in their first years with classroom management, relational issues with colleagues, students and administrators. They are not getting enough support from their colleagues in the first years, when they especially need it.
Effectiveness of Women Leaders in Georgian Educational Institutions
Authors: MESIRIDZE Irma , GUDADZE Teona
Published: December 2018

There is great interest in educational leadership in the early part of the 21stcentury. Because there is a general belief that the quality of leadership makes a main difference to any educational institution and student outcomes” (Bush, 2008:391).Even though women are lauded for having the right combination of skills for leadership which yield outstanding effectiveness, there appears to be a widespread belief that women often come in second to men when competing for upper level leadership positions (Eagly, 2007).The Government of Georgia and civil society organizations have a history of making efforts to promote gender equality in the country. In Georgia the achievement of gender equality was the main problem. However, from 2013 there have been many positive changes in Georgian legislative and civil society’s action. Georgian society strongly tends to promote gender equality at all levels of social spheres. Great efforts and active participation in the field of human rights changed the attitudes to women empowerment. The article will analyze the biases about women’s effective leadership in Georgian educational organizations, identify female leaders' perception by opposite gender in educational community, and measure the qualifications, leadership styles and effectiveness of women leaders in Georgian educational organizations.
Reflective Teaching Methods at Schools for English Teachers’ Professional Development (International Turkish Private Schools)
Authors: PIPIA Ekaterine , SHARASHENIDZE-SOYUCOK Tamar
Published: December 2018

The aim of the study was to find out the most applicable reflective teaching methods for English language teachers in Georgia and Muslim countries.  The study tends to identify the general English language teaching tendencies and stresses the teaching discrepancies for Muslim countries. These peculiarities are analyzed to provide a clear-cut picture of reflective teaching practices, possible changes and desirable improvements, which would be different for Georgia and Muslim countries (Egypt, Turkey and Yemen). The data obtained from one survey showed that school administration supports teacher development, including via reflective teaching. Another survey, conducted in Egypt, Turkey and Yemen regarding the cultural and gender issues in designing reflective teaching practices, showed that the majority of teachers prefer to be involved in collaborative group work, rather than being observed by a peer due to Muslim cultural traditions concerning gender relations. Both genders avoid peer work, because there is a possibility to stay alone with the opposite gender for the discussions and this might cause some inconveniences. The interview conducted in Georgia showed that teachers do not like cooperative reflective activities. As Georgian teachers of English better liked journal writing and peer observation, the experiment conducted in Georgia dealt with them. It revealed the fact that the mixed model of reflective teaching (peer observation accompanied by journal writing) is more productive for Georgia more than just peer observation.
Investigating the Role of Interactive Whiteboard Technology in Learner Engagement and Achievement in the Mathematics Classroom
Authors: SERIN Hamdi
Published: December 2018

Recently there have been a growing number of researches on the influence of interactive whiteboard on engagement and achievement, and many of them have yielded positive results. Learner engagement has emerged from the connection between involvement and achievement and now quite many researchers agree on the correlation between learner engagement and learner achievement. This study aims to show whether the implementation of interactive whiteboard in Mathematics classes affect learner engagement and achievement. A questionnaire survey was conducted including 60 Mathematics department students at a private university in Iraq. The results indicated that the employment of interactive whiteboard impressively influences learners’ engagement and achievement in Mathematics.
Impact of Language-Oriented Extracurricular Activities on Academic Achievement in Language Preparation Schools
Authors: YILDIZ Yunus
Published: December 2018

English as a Foreign Language (EFL) requires learners’ exposure to what educators call the language skills: reading, speaking, writing and listening. Language teachers’ aim is to make students acquire language skills to ensure achievement both in oral and written communication.  Language teachers at Preparatory Schools try to do their best to teach those students who did not reach the level of target language skills that would enable them to study in that language. According to observations, the researcher came to conclusion that those students have difficulty reaching the proficiency level needed for study in the language at their departments for the following year need a special approach, additional to their curriculum studies. The idea was instead of giving abundant homework to students to be completed, it is better to draw their attention to English language-oriented extracurricular activities (ECAs). Via these activities students will use the language beyond the classroom, have sufficient real-life-like practice, but, on the other hand, be devoid of the stress typical for both classroom and first contacts with people not speaking one’s native language. This, hopefully, will also let students increase students’ level of language skills. The experimental research, in which 34 students of Ishik University (Iraq, Erbil) were involved, the idea was confirmed.
Recent Research in Black Sea Region on Assessment in Education (Review)
Authors: PIPIA Ekaterine
Published: December 2018

Assessment is one of the focal and integral parts of the educational processes due to aiming at enhancing thequality of education. Assessment permits to inform administrators about the state of the matter at the educationalinstitution, to inform the parents about their children’s success/failures, find out the existing problems, motivateteachers and students, improve the quality of teaching and learning, hold educational research objectively, and soon. It is notable that there are different ideas regarding the implementation of assessment strategies amongpolicymakers, educators, students, administrators and parents throughout the world. This article is written to informeducational community particularly in the respect of new tendencies in assessment and present a clear-cut pictureof the recent studies conducted in the Black Sea Region.