bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of climate on gravitational processes within the Jiu river valley: G.I.S. applications
Authors: Sandu Boengiu , Sorin Avram , Alina Vladut
Published: August 2009

The dynamics of gravitational processes (e.g. landslides) is altered due to variation in climatic parameters. We have recorded an increasing number of such events which affect human settlements. The most important aspect that has to be emphasized is the way gravitational processes change and condition land utilization. Due to these circumstances, the analysis of these processes has great importance within the middle sector of the Jiu Valley. In order to correlate the occurrence of gravitational processes with climatic data, we have been collecting data within this valley sector during the last 15 years. The aim of this study is to describe the succession and dynamics of present processes, which should act as an alarm signal for local authorities to take adequate mitigating measures. We observe an increase in the mean annual temperature and the mean amplitude (by approximately 1†C), in addition to the frequency and severity of dry years (1992, 2000), and the frequency of rain showers. We correlate these data with knowledge of the lithology, morphometry, and piezometric levels in order to identify areas with a high potential for gravitational processes using a Geographical Information System (G.I.S.). This analysis allows us to draw a map rendering each layer separately — lithology, pedology, slope, vegetation etc. We present a map that emphasizes the areas with high potential for the development of gravitational processes in the region of the Jiu valley.
First attempt to combine terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (10Be) and Schmidt hammer relative-age dating: Strauchon Glacier, Southern Alps, New Zealand
Authors: Winkler Stefan
Published: August 2009

This study provides the first attempt to combine terrestrial (in situ) cosmogenic nuclide (10Be) surface exposure dating with Schmidt hammer relative-age dating for the age estimation of Holocene moraines at Strauchon Glacier, Southern Alps, New Zealand. Numerous Schmidt hammer tests enable a multi-ridged lateral moraine system to be related to three late-Holocene ‘Little Ice Age’-type events. On the basis of cosmogenic 10Be ages, those events are dated to c. 2400, 1700, and 1100 years ago. Linear age-calibration curves are constructed in order to relate Schmidt hammer R-values to cosmogenic 10Be ages. The high explanation yielded reveals the causal link between both data sets. The potential of combining both methods in a ‘’multiproxy approach’ is discussed alongside possible future improvements. Terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide dating delivers absolute ages needed as fixed points for Schmidt hammer age-calibration curves. The Schmidt hammer technique can be used to crosscheck the boulder surfaces chosen for surface exposure dating by terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides. It should, therefore, reduce the number of samples necessary and costs.
January snow accumulation in the St. Lawrence Valley (1961-1990)
Authors: Toupin Jerry
Published: August 2009

Located in Eastern Canada, the St. Lawrence Valley (between Montreal and Quebec City; ±350 km) is known as one of the snowiest populated valleys in the world. Usually more than 250 cm of snow falls every winter. Snowstorms are frequent, as more than 10 major snowstorms are registered every year [1] interfering greatly with human activities. Numerical analyses (univariate analysis, discriminant analysis and stepwise multiple regression) for the 1961-1990 period on total snow depth for the month of January reveals three winter-regional climates along this valley: A-) the southern part of Montreal; slightly warmer with less snow and less rainfall, B-) the area around Quebec City; colder with more snow and C-) an intermediate corridor in-between those two cities. Two major variables were identified as responsible for explaining these three winter regional climates: maximum temperature and rainfall.
The Transformation of Labour and Employment in Post-Industrial Society
Authors: Rodionova Irina , Sholudko Aleksandr
Published: August 2009

The Transformation of Labour and Employment in Post-Industrial Society

The article is devoted to the analysis of the transformation of labour and employment in post-industrial society. Allocation shifts in industrial production have become characteristic features of the world economy. The structure of employment has also transformed in new conditions of world development.
The Changes in the Functional Urban Region in the New Socio-Economic Conditions in Poland. The Case of Toruń
Authors: Hołowiecka Beata , Szymańska Daniela
Published: August 2009

The Changes in the Functional Urban Region in the New Socio-Economic Conditions in Poland. The Case of Toruń

This article attempts to determine the general tendency of changes of functioning of urban regions in the new socio-economic conditions in Poland. The functional connections resulted from an intensively and relatively permanent flow of population, which functions as foundation of identification of the urban region in that study. The paper presents the results of empirical examinations of the functional urban region of Toruń conducted in 70s, 80s, and presently. On that basis explation is presented on how the transformation of the economic system with all consequences influenced on the modification of developed and relatively stable city-surroundings relations. Additionally the article is aimed at recognizing the new determinants of urban regions development in Polish conditions.
Mortality and Longevity in the Central and East Europe - Changes in Years 1990-2005
Authors: Górecka Stanisława
Published: August 2009

Mortality and Longevity in the Central and East Europe - Changes in Years 1990-2005

Political and socioeconomic transformation has significantly influenced demographic processes in Central and East Europe. This was mainly noticeable in behaviours and attitudes concerning forming and developing of families. With regard to the aforementioned behaviours, the populations of analysed countries have adopted to new conditions very quickly, and the demographic parameters have reached values that were almost identical as those in West Europe. The situation developed completely differently in the case of mortality and life expectancy. Differences between Central and East Europe, and West European countries, which were already visible at the beginning of 1990's, have been eliminated considerably slower. Even though, one can observe favourable transformations in life expectancy and the distribution of death causes in the Central and Eastern European countries. Those changes are especially apparent in countries which became members of the European Union in 2004.
The Radegast Station Holocaust Monument - Its History, Contemporary Function and Perception in the Eyes of Tourists and Lodz Inhabitants
Authors: Cudny Waldemar
Published: August 2009

The Radegast Station Holocaust Monument - Its History, Contemporary Function and Perception in the Eyes of Tourists and Lodz Inhabitants

The article presents the problems of the Lodz Ghetto organized by the Germans during World War II and the role of the ghetto railway station - called Radegast Station. The author also describes the contemporary function of the station, paying particular attention to the initiative of the local authorities, which led to building a monument within its premises, commemorating the Holocaust of the Lodz Jewish population. Following that, the author presents the results of a survey conducted in the monument area in 2007, which allowed the local authorities' activity and its indirect influence on the image of Lodz to be assessed.
Population Movement and Changes in Population in European Countries - Present State and Perspectives
Authors: Długosz Zbigniew , Raźniak Piotr
Published: August 2009

Population Movement and Changes in Population in European Countries - Present State and Perspectives

This paper aims at presenting the direction of changes and perspectives in populations and the movement of the population of Europe (as broadly defined) against the backdrop of the situation on other continents, as well as highlighting the internal diversity in terms of the realties of the current political divisions in Europe.
Foreign Migration of Poles in Scientific Research at the Turn of Century
Authors: Heffner Krystian , Solga Brygida
Published: August 2009

Foreign Migration of Poles in Scientific Research at the Turn of Century

The article deals with problems related to present foreign migrations of Poles. The attention is concentrated on presenting scientific research results in this sphere indicating many problems caused by migrations not only in the social, demographic and economic spheres but also in political and cultural spheres thus enabling scientists to understand better this complex and multidimensional phenomenon.
Population Transformations in Traditional Economic Regions of Central Europe. Structural Approach
Authors: Runge Jerzy
Published: August 2009

Population Transformations in Traditional Economic Regions of Central Europe. Structural Approach

The subject of the Author's interest are traditional social-economic regions of Central Europe, i.e. the Katowice and Rybnik conurbations in Poland, and the Ostrava-Karvina agglomeration in the Czech Republic. Despite their similar origin - connected mainly with the exploitation of mineral resources, coal in particular - the directions of transformations in these regions have hitherto run differently in different time periods. The aim of this paper is an attempt to show differences in spatial development of population, mainly in relation: centre of a settlement system and its surroundings. The use of archival statistical materials made it possible to study these transformations from the beginning of the 19th century until now.
The Eastern and the Western Cuiavia - One Region, Two Development Lines
Authors: Szymańska Daniela , Biegańska Jadwiga
Published: August 2009

The Eastern and the Western Cuiavia - One Region, Two Development Lines

Cuiavia is one of the oldest historical regions in Poland characterized by diverse physical and geographical conditions, as well as different administrative and historical past. The aim of this paper is to present the impact of historical and administrative divisions, as well as diverse socio-economic and political transformations that in a significant way influenced the diversity of social and economical features of Eastern and Western Cuiavia. Against such a background different development directions will be discussed.
Germany - Two Demographically Different States?
Authors: Szymańska Daniela , Środa-Murawska Stefania , Biegańska Jadwiga
Published: August 2009

Germany - Two Demographically Different States?

The paper is an attempt of an answer how belonging to different political, economical and cultural structures has influenced diverse population processes and structures and their spatial diversity. As an example to the research of these phenomena there was chosen Germany that until 1990 were two separated socio-political and economical formations (the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the Federal Republic of Germany FRG). This state, with a population number about 82 millions presently, as it turns out - besides passage of time - is characterized all the time by some diversity of procreation behaviors, population processes and structures in the Eastern (Ost) and the Western part (West) of Germany. It is claimed, the structures are going to some similarities, but the 15 years period (1990-2005) was too short to level all stated demographical differences and trends (1).
Human Resources of Lithuania: On the Question of the Fate of the Nation
Authors: Vaitekūnas Stasys
Published: August 2009

Human Resources of Lithuania: On the Question of the Fate of the Nation

The mutual dependence of human resources and the development of the state has been one of the most important geopolitical questions discussed from the times of Ancient Greece. The article analyses the growth of the population and human resources of Lithuania, their change and influence on the state's development, the possible consequences of the decline of the population on international policies and the state's geopolitical situation. Reflecting the changes in the number of inhabitants and their structure five possible scenarios of the state's development in the future are constructed: 1) a small, but economically strong national state; 2) more pensioners than grandchildren; 3) a multinational and multicultural state; 4) the end of the national state (?); 5) a strong economic and cultural state.
Polish Towns and the Changes in Their Areas and Population Densities
Authors: Szymańska Daniela , Grzelak-Kostulska Elżbieta , Hołowiecka Beata
Published: August 2009

Polish Towns and the Changes in Their Areas and Population Densities

This article presents the spatial and population density changes in Polish towns in the years 1960-2003. The assumed time frame allowed identifying area changes for a complete set of towns in different socio-economic conditions: the period of intense industrialisation, the economic crisis of the 1980s, the period of economic transition and finally in the years of a market economy. The investigation revealed that the trend shown by changes and the size of a town as measured by the number of its population are distinctly interrelated. It also demonstrated a much stronger dynamics of changes in the first subperiod, i.e. years 1960--1985, followed by a phase of relative stabilization (compared with the previous period) after the year 1980 (mainly of the spatial changes). Moreover, change intensity and change trends observed for the urban areas and population densities vary considerably in terms of space.
Evaluation of Conditions Concerning the Development of Tourism. Investigation into the Basin of the Parsęta River
Authors: Domin Dominik , Kwiatkowski Grzegorz , Szymańska Daniela
Published: August 2009

Evaluation of Conditions Concerning the Development of Tourism. Investigation into the Basin of the Parsęta River

The article presents the results of multidimensional evaluation of conditions concerning the development of tourism in rural areas of Parsęta basin. For the purpose the synthetic measure has been applied in reference to 27 variables divided into two groups: suitable for tourism or investing.

Having conducted the analysis of the selected variables, the investigated area was divided into three regions: the seaside at the North with very good conditions for the development of the touristic function as its core function, the central region, highly diversified with only moderate touristic capabilities, and finally the southern region, the lake district, with adequate features for the development of tourism.
Entrepreneurship of Inhabitants vs. Economic Activity of Large and Medium Enterprises in Rural Areas of Selected Historical Regions of Poland
Authors: Dej Magdalena , Trzepacz Piotr
Published: August 2009

Entrepreneurship of Inhabitants vs. Economic Activity of Large and Medium Enterprises in Rural Areas of Selected Historical Regions of Poland

In the past historical periods, each particular region of Poland was developing -- in a sense -- as separate organism; some of them were achieving a relative rise in the economic hierarchy, whereas some other were plunging in backwardness. These disparities have remained very distinctive until today, especially between the rural areas of different parts of the country. The aim of this paper is to determine diversifications of economic development level in four selected regions of Poland (Little Poland -- pol. Małopolska, West Pomerania, Lower Silesia and the Lublin Region), measured as the localisation range and characteristics of big and medium enterprises in rural areas. Another objective was to observe the relation between localisation and characteristics of those enterprises and the general initiative of local inhabitants. The analyses carried out for this paper have served to create a typology of communes, depending on the number of workplaces in big and medium enterprises in this areas, as well as the general initiative of inhabitants, which then enabled the assessment of economic disparities between rural areas of selected Polish regions.
Refugees in Poland: Selected Issues in Research
Authors: Gałka Jadwiga
Published: August 2009

Refugees in Poland: Selected Issues in Research

Since the beginning of the 1990s, there has been a steadily growing influx of foreign refugees in Poland. Poland's ratification of the Geneva Convention in 1991 and the New York Protocol in 1991 made it necessary to create a properly functioning refugee protection system in the country. The purpose of this work is to describe the dynamics of refugee influx in Poland from 1992 to 2007 as well as to analyze whether existing forms of legal stay are functioning properly in Poland. Furthermore, the work attempts to delve into key issues associated with the social integration of refugees in Poland.
Crop Water Supply and its Relation to Yield of Spring Wheat in the South of Russian Plain
Authors: Shumova Nadezhda
Published: August 2009

Crop Water Supply and its Relation to Yield of Spring Wheat in the South of Russian Plain

The proposed method to estimate water supply of spring wheat crop is based on the ratio of the water amount extracted by plants under actual conditions of growth (transpiration) to cover needs for maximum (potential) yield (potential transpiration). Estimates of spatial, inter- and intra-annual water supply variability of the spring wheat crop in basic agricultural zones are given. Dependence of the spring wheat yield on water supply is presented.
Low Flow in Selected Streams of Slovakia
Authors: Demeterová Beata , Škoda Peter
Published: August 2009

Malá Vodnosť Vybraných Vodných Tokov Slovenska

V predloženom článku hodnotíme hydrologické pozorovania na vybraných slovenských vodných tokoch za 75-ročné obdobie z hľadiska malej vodnosti. Hodnotíme charakteristiky: trvanie malej vodnosti a nedostatkový objem pre prahovú hodnotu prietokuQ90 (90% zabezpečenosti prietoku). Určili sme frekvenciu výskytu, zákon rozdelenia maximálnych nedostatkových objemov a maximálneho trvania malej vodnosti. Analyzovali sme charakteristiky pre najvýznamnejšie zaznamenané udalosti malej vodnosti - historické suchá v celom období pozorovania. Postup sme aplikovali na hydrologický rok a pre vybrané charakteristiky aj na letnú a zimnú sezónu.
Analytical Solution for Transient Hydraulic Head, Flow Rate and Volumetric Exchange in an Aquifer Under Recharge Condition
Authors: Bansal Rajeev , Das Samir
Published: August 2009

Analytical Solution for Transient Hydraulic Head, Flow Rate and Volumetric Exchange in an Aquifer Under Recharge Condition

This paper presents closed form solution for unsteady flow equation corresponding to the transient hydraulic head, flow rate and volumetric exchange of a confined aquifer which is in contact with a constant piezometric head at one end and a stream whose water level is rising at a constant rate at the other end. The aquifer is also subjected to receive constant inflow due to rain infiltration. The unsteady groundwater flow equation is solved using Laplace transform to get analytical expressions for the transient hydraulic head and flow rate at the left and right interfaces and the net volumetric exchange of water at the aquifer-stream interface. The analytical results presented here show the effect of recharge due to rain infiltration on the net volumetric exchange and reveal the conditions for which net inflow in the aquifer could be positive, negative or zero. The results obtained have the capability to determine transient hydraulic head for two extreme scenarios: (i) very slow rise and (ii) very fast rise in the stream water. Analytical result show that the net volumetric exchange could be positive, zero or negative depending on the surface infiltration and stream water rise rate.
Runoff changes in areas differing in land-use in the blanice river basin - application of the deterministic model
Authors: Jeníček Michal
Published: August 2009

Runoff changes in areas differing in land-use in the blanice river basin - application of the deterministic model

The aim of this article is to present partial results of more extensive research which is focused on using different methods for runoff computation in areas differing in land use. With the help of the deterministic lumped model HEC-HMS (Hydrologic Engineering Center - Hydrologic Modelling System) several simulations of r noff changes by different basin conditions were carried out. The Blanice River basin in the Šumava Mts. was chosen as an experimental catchment in its closure profile in Podedvory (gauge station, area 209.6 km2). For assessment of land cover changes impact on hydrological regime four scenarios were carried out - 10, 20, 50 and 100-year 1-day probability precipitation in combination with different initial conditions (soil saturation). These scenarios were applied to the stage of the land cover in the year 1992 and 2000 (based on the CORINE Landcover database). The method SCS CN (Soil Conservation Service Curve Number) was applied as the main model technique.
Estimating high levels exceedance probabilities by point process approach with applications to northern Moravia precipitation and discharges series
Authors: Jarušková Daniela
Published: August 2009

Estimating high levels exceedance probabilities by point process approach with applications to northern Moravia precipitation and discharges series

The paper byJaruškováandHanek(2006) advocated application of the peaks over threshold method (POT method) for estimating the probability that a precipitation or discharges series exceeds a chosen high level. If daily precipitation amounts or average discharges are obtained at several stations one might be interested in estimating the probability that in the same time all variables of interest, e.g. precipitation amounts measured at several stations, exceed some chosen high levels. The paper explains how the method based on the point process approach may be used to get good estimates of such probabilities. Moreover, it presents some useful parametric models that were successfully applied by the author to some precipitation and discharges series of northern Moravia.
On equivalent roughness of mobile bed at high shear stress
Authors: Matoušek Václav , Krupička Jan
Published: August 2009

On equivalent roughness of mobile bed at high shear stress

The friction conditions at the top of a mobile bed are discussed for flows in the upper-plane-bed regime, i.e. for the flows with values of the bed Shields parameter larger than approximately 0.6. A special attention is devoted to flows of the bed Shields parameter bigger than 2. Experimental data for flows at high bed shear are collected from literature and new data are added from own measurements of flows of a 1.36-mm sand slurry in the 100-mm pipe loop of the Institute of Hydrodynamics. The database represents flows of very different solids and covers friction conditions within a broad range of Shields parameters up to the maximum value of about 23. The paper analyses the data in order to evaluate a relationship among the equivalent roughness of the top of the bed and other relevant parameters. A semi-empirical formula is proposed that relates the equivalent roughness to the bed Shields parameter, the ratio of flow velocity and particle settling velocity, and the ratio of flow hydraulic radius and particle diameter. The formula is applicable primarily to flows of combined load (contact- and suspended loads together).
Conditions, Processes, and Aims of Teacher Education: A Philosophical Perspective
Authors: Mandolini Clara
Published: August 2009

Conditions, Processes, and Aims of Teacher Education: A Philosophical Perspective

The aim of this article is to provide a theoretical ground about teacher self-construction that is in harmony with his/her capabilities, natural environment, and society. The article initially considers the Blondelian philosophy of action as a specific philosophical view that forms an approach for teacher education: the primary concepts of action and synergy help consider the ontological dynamism of human life and its unavoidable conditions. In particular, the work on teacher prejudgements, considered as a system of conditions, is central in teacher education, as it represents a central and unavoidable condition. This reference to "conditions" is then articulated, in the specific case of teacher education, as the need to study the phenomenon of prejudgements, which can be considered the first step towards a greater awareness of educational and cultural skills. The third step of the article consists in "translating" these main issues of the philosophy of action into the idea of a performative process in the education of the teacher. According to philosophy of action, the article shows the performative character of teacher education processes, which is based on the pursuit of goals by activating all personal capacities.
Teachers as Agents of Societal Change
Authors: Iliško Dzintra
Published: August 2009

Teachers as Agents of Societal Change

This article discusses theoretical and practical aspects of transformative learning that can become a way for adults to critically evaluate and essentially comprehend themselves and their input in education, whose goal is to create action towards a sustainable society. The review of contemporary literature focuses on sustainability as a holistic concept linked to the idea of vision as significant in engendering alternative transformative power. The framework of a sustainable development has a potential to stimulate teachers' engagement with educational and societal processes with respect to the future development of a society within an ethical framework around values of democracy and active societal engagement. The aim of the research presented here is to explore the effect of critical transformative learning process for revitalizing adults' societal action brought about by engagement with in-service course for adults, aiming to gradually assist adults helping them to become creative producers of self and agents of transformations in education.
Teacher Education for the Future: Some Australian Perspectives
Authors: Power Anne , Southwell Beth , Elliott Ros
Published: August 2009

Teacher Education for the Future: Some Australian Perspectives

As a result of presentations in the PCC Conference in Sydney in 2005, this research aims to contribute Australian voices to the project being conducted simultaneously in other countries from the Pacific Circle Consortium. The research used project-devised survey and interview instruments with purposive sampled pairs of teachers and pre-service teachers during professional experience in 2005 and with teacher educators from the University of Western Sydney. The findings indicated that the participants have a common view of the purpose of education. However, there were range of issues that this view prompted participants to discuss. There were also perceived constraints, especially expressed by the experienced teachers. Implications of this finding are that teachers need forums in which to discuss their deep-seated philosophical approaches as they build a sustainable community of practice. The findings of this project can powerfully contribute to policy making at national and international government and university levels as they raise implications of how we meet challenges in future teacher education.
Systemic Ecological Approach in Teacher Education: Ecological Didactic Model of Students' Pedagogical Practice
Authors: Katane Irēna
Published: August 2009

Systemic Ecological Approach in Teacher Education: Ecological Didactic Model of Students' Pedagogical Practice

The article deals with the ecological didactic model of students' as prospective teachers' pedagogical practice. The model has been developed to facilitate university students' systemic ecological thinking, professional development, including the development of various competences, and their successful integration within the multilevel, multicomponent, and multifunctional environment of a comprehensive school. The model describes a comprehensive school as multilevel and multifunctional environment, where the students (trainees) and the teachers (supervisors of training) are integral parts of such environment. The functioning of a triad - a university lecturer - supervisor of pedagogical practice, a student, and a supervisor of pedagogical practice at school - as an interactional system is significant for the model. The principles of organization, implementation, and evaluation of the pedagogical practice and the didactic requirements for the students have been developed within the given model. At present this model is under the theoretical and practical approbation.
Building Social Capital Through Home-School Cooperation
Authors: Lukk Karin , Veisson Marika
Published: August 2009

Building Social Capital Through Home-School Cooperation

The background to the study examines parental involvement in education as a form of social capital and focuses on how involvement may be developed through three dimensions of social capital: bonding, bridging, and linking. Both groups (students and parents) were surveyed using questionnaires. The data of two different studies have been used: a cross-sectional study carried out in sixty-five schools in Estonia and a study of a comprehensive school to introduce practical implementations of the findings. The results of the studies indicate a high degree of readiness for cooperation from both sides - parents and the school, even though their understanding of responsibilities slightly differ. Parents and teachers should have mutual power and influence regarding the child's education, although schools have to take the prime responsibility in organizing the cooperation process.
Sustainable Education and Socialization Through Mistakes
Authors: Leino Mare
Published: August 2009

Sustainable Education and Socialization Through Mistakes

The central question in this article is how teachers socialize pupils. Our hypothesis is that socialization takes place when an individual identifies something as a problem or as undesirable. In the process of socialization, teachers sometimes make mistakes. Attempting to hide these mistakes, however, may result in new or even greater mistakes. D. Kahneman implies that people do not like loss or failure. People attempt to justify earlier incorrect decisions by often undergoing senseless stress and exertion. People agree to exert themselves to guarantee what in their opinion is a fair and equitable solution to a particular situation. Subjective probabilities play an important role in our lives. This paper presents the results of an ethnographical study of education. Our findings suggest that mistakes and negativity contribute to strengthening norms be cause "bad is more representative than good". In addition to negativity, teachers try to teach norms through collegial responsibility and conscience, and regulation is important at every step. This study concludes that both success and failure are constantly renewed in a cycle. That is why people tend to use earlier behaviour models, including self-evaluation and beliefs, which are continually actualized. The importance of a supportive, positive, and optimistic learning environment cannot be underestimated. The concept of psychologically sustainable education requires greater in-depth study.
Sustainability Pedagogy in Practice: An Example from Health Education
Authors: Kosáros Andrea , Ildikó Katona , Lakatos Gyula
Published: August 2009

Sustainability Pedagogy in Practice: An Example from Health Education

At the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, the period between 2005 and 2015 was declared to be the decade of sustainability. Therefore, it is important to see the implementation of sustainability pedagogy come to the fore in every country. Putting this into practice may lead to hardships for headmasters and teachers in schools. This process requires changes in behavior and approaches, besides, the development of certain students' skills have to be considered that the institutions have not perceived as their duty so far. To implement the idea of sustainability in education, in every country from elementary to higher education, properly trained and prepared teachers are needed. Post-graduate teacher training, international interchange of experience have to be stressed. Furthermore, to understand the content of sustainability and put it into everyday practice in schools, the activities have to be fact-based, with clear directions and have easily available teacher aids. The article demonstrates method how to implement projects related to healthy nutrition.
Teachers' Self-Assessment of Their Professional Skills According to the Teachers' Professional Standard
Authors: Kukk Airi , Talts Leida
Published: August 2009

Teachers' Self-Assessment of Their Professional Skills According to the Teachers' Professional Standard

The expectations of teachers' role image have altered due to the quick changes in Estonian post-socialist society. Class teachers graduate from Tallinn University with a basic knowledge of teaching and readiness for continuous learning and self-development through daily work aimed at developing their professional competence. Teachers' 5th Professional Standard has been accepted to regulate teachers' work in Estonia. Participation in educational life fosters self-development and shapes professional and individual identity. Teachers' professional standard can guide teachers in assessing their own professional skills, including essential competence such as planning and guiding, creating the learning environment, motivating learning, co-operation, communication, and self-analysis. The research problem is: how do the teachers assess their professional skills? The data have been gathered using educational-ethnographic essay and a questionnaire clarifying the correspondence of teachers' professional skills to the standard of professional competence. The research is located within the qualitative paradigm. The highest value was attributed to the skill to consider the individual differences of each child and command of versatile teaching methods. The further development is needed in areas of sharing one's thoughts and experience with colleagues and parents' involvement in co-operation.
Teachers' Views on Innovative Processes in Schools of Latvia
Authors: Davidova Jelena , Kokina Irēna
Published: August 2009

Teachers' Views on Innovative Processes in Schools of Latvia

Orienting society toward sustainable development is impossible without the development of a teacher into a creative person with his/her individual style of activity and thinking. This cannot be achieved without a continuous and systematic professional development that promotes innovation. Great hopes are placed on innovations, they are considered to be a reliable driving force for development. The research emphasizes the importance of identifying what teachers think about innovations in education and their own position in relation to innovative activity. Evolutionary Model, Innovative Milieu Model, and Propulsion Model of Creative Contributions can be applied within a context of presented study. Eight teachers (four teachers with a student/learning-centred orientation towards teaching and four teachers with content-centred orientation towards teaching), who worked at different schools, were interviewed in October and November 2006. Ettlie and O'Keefe's scale of attitude to innovations was used as the basis during the interview. The research revealed the most important factors hampering teachers' motivation for innovative activity and pedagogical regularities and criteria for stimulating innovations.
Are Teachers Tired of Responsibilities?
Authors: Tuisk Mare
Published: August 2009

Are Teachers Tired of Responsibilities?

Estonian educational life is at a crossroad. Schools and their educational functions have become the focus of public discussion because of the worrisome tendencies in childhood and adolescent life (dropping out of school, deteriorating mental and physical health, increase in self-destructive behaviour, etc.). Many teachers are overtaken by tiredness and apathy. To the amazement of colleagues, even the best teachers are suffering from burnout and leaving school. What are the reasons for these phenomena? The general context of this article is the problem of sustainability in education and, consequently, the sustainability of society. This paper focuses on how teachers perceive themselves as subjects and how they can promote learners' becoming subjects and is based on 48 narrative essays. The author has interpreted the outcomes relying on the works of A. Maslow, L. Vygotsky, V. Peavy, and M. Fullan. The most significant conclusion is that there is a contradiction between the teachers' strong feeling of mission and responsibility which contrasts with the diminishing possibilities of implementing these priorities in their real work. Teachers assume they are accepted as decisive and responsible professionals. Furthermore, they expect other participants of educational processes to share responsibility.
Preparing Children for School: The Perspective of Sustainability
Authors: Guseva Svetlana , Dombrovskis Valērijs , Iliško Dzintra
Published: August 2009

Preparing Children for School: The Perspective of Sustainability

This study analyses different aspects of upbringing and development concerned with preparing pre-school children for school. The focus is on justifying child development within the pre-school educational environment with elements of sustainability in order to better prepare students for school. Education in pre-school environments should be seen as a synergy of the affective and cognitive spheres of children. The authors refer primarily to the significant contribution provided in the sphere of pre-school education by different Russian psychologists and educators. The results of this study indicate that if the pre-school curriculum includes elements of sustainability, the process of preparing children for school is more effective and children may possibly be more successful at school.
Social Aspects of Education for Sustainable Development in Primary School in Estonia
Authors: Müürsepp Mare
Published: August 2009

Social Aspects of Education for Sustainable Development in Primary School in Estonia

The purpose of the article is to analyse the circumstances of applying of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Estonian educational actuality. Empirical part of the study comprehends a comparative content analysis of UNECE strategy of ESD and the chapters of the text of the Estonian National Curriculum valid from 2002. The discussion concentrates on the social aspects of ESD because their significance was pointed out by the experts of ESD. The topic of the article is confined to the issues concerning the primary education, i.e. the grades from 1st to 3rd. Conclusions are made about the opportunities to apply ESD more effectively than at present. Statements of experts on textbooks and curriculum have been taken into account as additional sources besides the documentary analysis.
The Agentive Role of Children's Views in Sustainable Education
Authors: Reunamo Jyrki
Published: August 2009

The Agentive Role of Children's Views in Sustainable Education

The environment and peoples' ideas of the environment are intertwined in the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The environment has an effect on the educational content and people have an effect on the environment. Thus, sustainable education includes producing culture by children and with children. Sustainable learning should include finding ways to consider the effects of actions. The theoretic framework presented in the article was operationalized and studied in four Finnish kindergartens. The results bring children forward as producers of educational content. Children's views have an effect on the educational setting. In agentive learning children learn things that they themselves have been taking part creating. In discussion, the emerging roles of a teacher for ESD are considered. To be balanced, ESD may not only consider the equilibrium between accommodation and assimilation, but also the equilibrium between adaptation and agency.
Student Interpretations of Student Roles: What About Sustainability?
Authors: Kuurme Tiiu
Published: August 2009

Student Interpretations of Student Roles: What About Sustainability?

The goal of this article is to investigate the relationship between the contemporary humanistic ideology and the student roles as perceived by young people themselves. First, the traditional humanist ideas of education as a relational term and its contemporary features are analysed. Theoretically, a good education today offers young persons positive experiences for developing and is dialogical in nature. After this discussion, the interpretations of young people from different school types and age groups on their perceived role at school and their relations attributed to that role are described. These young people see their role in a very traditional way, meaning that the most important goal is to behave in manner that best insures their receiving good grades. This paper shows that there is no congruence between the currently desired image of education and the described role of student
Characteristics of Sustainable Changes for Schools
Authors: Lukk Karin , Veisson Marika , Ots Loone
Published: August 2009

Characteristics of Sustainable Changes for Schools

The article discusses some aspects of the concept of sustainable development and its educational manifestation - education for sustainable development. The concept of education for sustainable development is broadly accepted, but less attention has been paid to the extent to which innovations or changes are sustained over time, what characteristics or factors support their sustainability. The article introduces a model of six characteristics of sustainable changes in schools and changes concerning sustainable development in Estonian schools have been analyzed using qualitative research methods. The model consists of the following characteristics: depth, endurance, justice, diversity, conservation, and capital. According to the model, the positive changes in Estonian schools have been about the national curriculum, internal evaluation system as the basis for autonomy and self-management. The areas requiring greater change are justice or interdependence, diversity - respect for other people and the connections between formal and non-formal education as well as between schools and teacher training institutions.
The Didactical Aspects of Integrated Natural Science Content Model for Secondary School Education
Authors: Jonāne Lolita
Published: August 2009

The Didactical Aspects of Integrated Natural Science Content Model for Secondary School Education

The main aspects of democratic system of education are a humanistic approach, individualization, and differentiation. Ongoing discussions focus on the best way to teach natural sciences for pupils in humanitarian, social or vocational education programs in the context of sustainable development. For these types of programs, the natural science curriculum should provide all learners with the opportunity to achieve scientific and technological literacy (STL) that is to develop pupils' capacities to function as responsible citizens in the world increasingly affected by science and technologies. This paper highlights specific guidelines for the development of science curricula that are both interdisciplinary and socially relevant. The author emphasizes the context of interaction between human beings, society, and environment. These aspects are introduced in the new school science curriculum of Latvia. The survey of teachers' attitudes towards integrated natural science curriculum and study of pupils' achievements reflects the possibility of promoting scientific literacy of pupils.
Teaching Left-Handed Primary School Pupils in Estonia
Authors: Kula Pilvi
Published: August 2009

Teaching Left-Handed Primary School Pupils in Estonia

At the primary school level, can children distinguished by their skills/abilities be sure that by acknowledging their differences they can be guaranteed a sustainable education? To what extent are they given equal treatment? The goal of this study was to identify the number of left-handed pupils in different classes of Estonian primary school and to discover what knowledge and skills are needed to teach the left-handed children. Results show that a significant number of elementary school children (9%) are left-handed, justifying a need to pay more attention to their uniqueness. In contrast, 46% of surveyed teachers report not having the necessary knowledge and skills to teach this population. While left-handedness has not been researched much throughout the world, including Estonia, it is necessary to recognize that a significant number of students are left handed and teacher knowledge about how to anticipate and prevent their difficulties in a school setting should be taken into consideration to guarantee the success of these children at school and in everyday life.
Career Education for Teachers: Reflections on ESF Project Implementation in Latvia
Authors: Olehnoviča Eridiana , Kravale-Pauliņa Mārīte
Published: August 2009

Career Education for Teachers: Reflections on ESF Project Implementation in Latvia

In Latvia, the issues of career education are most often addressed by school teachers. In 2003, the Standards of Teacher Profession adopted by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia provided the list of teachers' duties, tasks, and specific skills. One of such skills is to help pupils to understand the professional activities and to teach them career planning. This issue is given insufficient attention in teacher professional education. The article aims to use the context of sustainable education to analyze the activities carried out within the National Program Project Career Education Activity Provision in the System of Education co-financed by the European Social Fund. The questionnaires were designed to determine the needs for teacher education in relation to learner's career education. The data were obtained from in-service teachers (N=228) involved in career advising activities for their pupils in all regions of Latvia and were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The results approve and elaborate on a necessity of integrating career education issues in the teacher education curriculum.
Educational Action Research for Sustainability: Constructing a Vision for the Future in Teacher Education
Authors: Salīte Ilga
Published: August 2009

Educational Action Research for Sustainability: Constructing a Vision for the Future in Teacher Education

This article discloses a fragment of a broader action research aimed to design the learning environment facilitating the research skills in teacher education. Presented case reflects the possibilities to construct a vision for the future in an educational action research in the context of four-dimensional model of sustainability. The next teachers used this model to structure their viewpoints on the sustainability situation in Latvia. They identified the most typical features of current situation and evaluated features worth to preserve and develop in the foreseeable future to reach the sustainability. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis endorsed to discern the common vision for the future - reflecting the features of sustainability and non-sustainability identified in each dimension of sustainability. Among the features singled out from the viewpoints of students, actions and action results prevailed. At the end of the action research the strategy employed in presented research was compared with one often employed in the public space to construct a vision for the future through community involvement.