Vol 8 No 2

Special Issue, Volume 8, Number 2, 2016 I Full Text PDF

DOI: 10.21659/rupkatha.v8n2.00

Teacher Education over the years has undergone numerous changes and teaching in 21^st century specifically is a different phenomenon. The classrooms have become global with diverse students population having cultural and language variations. The expansion in information and technology has given a new direction to the teaching learning process. Students do not want to be spoon-fed. Educators argue that with so much new knowledge being created, content no longer matters. However, the ways of knowing information are now much more important than information itself.

 We live in fast changing world that demands new and different adaptive abilities. To meet the challenges we need to ensure that students in today’s classroom learn the 21st century adaptive skills. It is felt that the present system of education does not fully support to prepare students with the essential 21st century knowledge and learning skills necessary to succeed in life. Students in today’s classroom need to develop core learning skills that include Creativity and Innovation, Problem Solving and Critical Thinking, Communication and Collaboration. In order to achieve the same it is quite obvious to note that it is a joint task the educationists and the policy makers to facilitate the teaching learning process so that the instructional program is complete and that is directed to make the learners self sufficient. To meet out students choices, having one’s own hands-on experience and expertise will be a bare necessary for a teacher in 21^st century. The concern is obvious that how to meet the challenges of delivering content and skills in an enriched way that creates a thinking classroom and as a whole leads towards productive output. For this, we need to ensure that all students have access to quality education that supports an integrated development of the learner.  It is argued that we need better curriculum, better teaching and better testing of learner’s performance. Almost all teacher-educators acknowledge that the field has deep problems and there is a need to look into all these aspects. The special issue in this direction would provide guidelines to the academicians for enabling them to explore the new possibilities which could be used to make teaching meaningful, purposeful and enjoyable.

 Mihir Kumar Mallick
Prof and Head, School of Education
Lovely Professional University, Phagwara- Punjab.

J.G. Kheswa
University of Fort Hare, South Africa

Special Issue, Volume 8, Number 2, 2016 I Full Text PDF

DOI: 10.21659/rupkatha.v8n2.17

Abstract
An exposure to homophobic attacks may vary by a person’s place of residency, and at the university, lesbians may function at their optimal level when receiving social and emotional support from the significant others. The aim of this study was to investigate how lesbian students at the University of Fort Hare, South Africa, deal with discrimination. Twenty- one lesbians, aged between 19 and 37 years old, were selected using snowball technique and they gave their informed consent to participate in a qualitative study.  Drawing from resilience theory as a theoretical framework of this study, the findings showed that lesbian students experience unconditional positive regard from their lecturers and reported high levels of psychological well-being, namely, self-acceptance, self-autonomy, purpose and meaning in life, positive relationship with others and environmental mastery. In conclusion, this study recommends the implementation of policies on transformation to address diversity at the universities.

Keywords: lesbians, discrimination, self-esteem, university, psychological well-being.

E. A. Martynova, E. N. Rodina, E. N. Chekushkina & R. G. Kostina
Mordovian State Pedagogical Institute, Russia

Special Issue, Volume 8, Number 2, 2016 I Full Text PDF

DOI: 10.21659/rupkatha.v8n2.16

Abstract

The article considers the innovative resources dynamics of vocational educational establishment in the context of the Mordovian State Pedagogical Institute named after M. E. Evseviev. Today, in the context of innovative economy formation in Russia, numerous social changes are taking place due to increasing integration of science, education and production. These trends require initiation of the research on the interaction of institutions in complex economic systems. One of the key areas concerns the study of science and education integration forms as exemplified by contemporary higher education institutions, which are transforming into an innovative organizations, as well as quality assessment of their intellectual and creative capacity development. The aim of this work is to identify changes in the contemporary pedagogical higher educational institution, conditioned by general trends in the transformation of socio-economic systems. The complexity and diversity of the research subject predetermined the use of the approaches, such as comparative historical method, document analysis, as well as axiological and systemic analysis. The analytical results of scientific-research and scientific-pedagogical practical work of the pedagogical institute allow talking about significant innovative capacity of its intellectual resources, which has been rapidly and considerably increased over the past five years. This is evidenced from the results of the creative work undertaken by the higher educational institution’s staff.

Keywords. Vocational education, pedagogical higher educational institution, innovative educational organization, innovative capacity, innovative resource, evolution dynamics of the innovation resources at the institution of higher pedagogical education.

I. Ilina, E. Kryukova, A. Zotova & E. Kuznetsova & E. Nakhratova
Russian State Social University, Moscow, Russia

Special Issue, Volume 8, Number 2, 2016 I Full Text PDF

DOI: 10.21659/rupkatha.v8n2.15

Abstract

The article analyses the relative position of the Russian teachers from higher education institutions in professional labor market in transition. The specificity of teachers’ situation in the labor market is revealed in conditions of shift from administrative command system to market relations. There are distinguished the factors that increase the risk of job loss risk by teachers of different categories. The characteristics of main forms and types of “professorate” unemployment in modern stage are discussed. Based on the results of sociological survey, the relation of teachers to the market economy is analyzed and an attempt is made to find out the way which can stabilize teachers’ professional position at the time when new educational policies are being implemented in order to optimize the field of higher education.

Keywords: Labor market, academic teachers, unemployment, employment, higher school upgrading.

Nurbol Koyshybaevich Abishev
Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Kazakhstan

 Victor Alekseevich Dalinger
Omsk State Pedagogical University, Russia

Yessen Yklasovich Bidaibekov
Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Kazakhstan

Oleg Victorovich Knyazyev
Omsk State Pedagogical University, Russia

Special Issue, Volume 8, Number 2, 2016 I Full Text PDF

DOI: 10.21659/rupkatha.v8n2.14

Abstract

This article discusses changes happening in higher education systems of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan namely  diversification,  democratization, globalization and regionalization of education, as well as the main directions of modernization of these systems according to the Bologna Declaration: increased access to the European education, improving the quality of higher education, introducing comprehensible, comparable qualifications in higher education, introducing assessment of study attainment and performance in terms of credit points, inclusion of the curriculum in the diploma supplement, the increased mobility of students, teachers and administrative staff. The article also deals with the problems of higher education in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan, and analyzes competency-based approach to the construction of the educational process in higher education, and comments on the shortcomings of the competency-based approach. It also covers the basics of active and interactive learning technologies and methods for the diagnosis and assessment of learning outcomes (NPS – technology of assessment of the quality of learning outcomes, the system of expert assessments and the method of calculating Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient).

Keywords: higher education, competency-based approach, NPS-technology of assessment of the quality of learning outcomes, the system of expert evaluations.

Surapee Akomkong & Vichian Puncreobutr
St.Theresa International College, Thailand

Special Issue, Volume 8, Number 2, 2016 I Full Text PDF

DOI: 10.21659/rupkatha.v8n2.13

Abstract

 The purpose of this study was to measure the Transformational Leadership and Organizational Culture of Educational Institutions along the Thai-Lao borders at Bueng Kan province. The target respondents for the study are students’ parents and Thai teachers in schools along Thai-Lao borders and the estimated sample size for the study is 384. The statistical tools used for the study are mean, T-test and Pearson’s simple correlation. The results of the study furnished that existence of transformational leadership and organizational culture is at high level in schools along Thai-Lao borders. Besides, among the parents and teachers, parent’s agreeableness is high towards transformational leadership and organizational culture. And the correlation results indicate that there is a positive significant relationship (.639) between transformational leadership and organizational culture. Conclusion and suggestions are presented for applications in future research.

Keywords: transformational leadership; organizational leadership; educational administrators; Bueng Kan Province

Tanat Titiworatat & Vichian Puncreobutr
St. Theresa International College, Thailand

Special Issue, Volume 8, Number 2, 2016 I Full Text PDF

DOI: 10.21659/rupkatha.v8n2.12

Abstract

This research was aimed at studying the readiness level of educational management in providing education in the Thai-Lao border region of Bung Karn Province. The study compared the readiness level of educational management in terms of nationality and category of respondents. The target respondents of the study are parents, students and teachers/administrators who live along Thai-Lao border of Bung Karn Province. The estimated sample size of the study was 384 based on Krejcie and Morgan Table. The survey questionnaire was constructed for the study and tested for reliability, which hold good reliability with Cronbach alpha value at .82. Statistical tools used for the study are Mean, T-Test and One-way ANOVA. The result indicated that major group of respondents are Laos people and most of them are willing to work in Thailand and foreign nations. The overall readiness of educational management is at moderate level, whereas the aspects like academics and resources are highly ready to serve the people in the region. But in terms of international program, the educational management is not yet ready to serve the community. When comparing the readiness of educational management in terms of nationality, there is no significant difference among Thais and Laos People, but in terms of category of respondents (Parents, Students and Teachers) significant difference exists. Further pair wise comparison test has been conducted and it is found that the significant difference exists in parents’ group towards readiness of educational management.

Keywords: readiness; educational management; Bueng Kan Province.

J.P. Aggarwal
Lovely Professional University, Punjab

Special Issue, Volume 8, Number 2, 2016 I Full Text PDF

DOI: 10.21659/rupkatha.v8n2.11

Abstract

The novels of Toni Morrison depict her tirade against the forces of white hegemony; she has raised a cry of Black women in America.  The Bluest Eye, Beloved and Song of Soloman use the tools of subversion, perversion and eroticism to depict the traumatic experiences of the Black women protagonists. Toni Morrison’s main concern is to tell the world how the Blacks are dehumanized. Her novels depict the cancerous virus of hatred and racial antagonism and gender discrimination. She uses grotesque, magic, the gruesome and elements of folk tale to depict the psychological depression and mental disorder of her women protagonists. Her novel The Bluest Eye presents Pauline Breedlove, Beloved depicts the traumatic life of Sethe who kills her own daughter in pervert desperation. The erotic and sexual scenes in all these novels are subversive in nature and Morrison infuses positive elements into erotic and sexual actions of the Black stereotypes alluding to the primitive slavish history. In Song of Soloman, Pilate Dead has the elements of grotesque and his bizarre vision helps to dig out the perversion in the Black protagonists who grow violent; destructive and depressed. The present research paper digs out the dilemmas and absurdities of the Blacks who are caught in the trap of perverse behavior and erotic sensibility.

Keywords: Dilemmas, Eroticism, Sexuality, Perversion, absurdities, Racial, Consciousness, Excavation

Gurpal S. Rana
Lovely Professional University, Punjab

Special Issue, Volume 8, Number 2, 2016 I Full Text PDF

DOI: 10.21659/rupkatha.v8n2.10

Abstract

This paper explores the justification for a prosody based model of English language teaching which focus on enhancing “sophisticated communicative competence” of learners, while weighing in divergent ideas which might scuttle this pedagogical initiative. In the article four different dimensions are examined with the aim of exploring the neglect of prosodic focus in language teaching and learning: 1) Non native identity of the language teacher as a stumbling block, 2) Fallacy of assumption about automatic acquisition of prosodic attributes, 3) Misperception about prosody being a mere academic exercise, and 4) Defying “critical period hypothesis” underlying biological constraints in acquisition of language nuances.  The choice of title of brick-mortar analogy lays renewed focus on subtle characteristics of speech, which remain either largely ignored in curricula or undermined as a pedagogical tool.

Keywords: prosodic orientation, suprasegmentals, pragmatic fossilization, critical period hypothesis, communicative competence.

E.A. Dyganova & Z. M. Yavgildina
Kazan  Federal University (the Volga region), Russian Federation, Kazan

Special Issue, Volume 8, Number 2, 2016 I Full Text PDF

DOI: 10.21659/rupkatha.v8n2.09

Abstract

The article focuses on improving the professional performance of teachers of music, particularly, on achieving a higher level of the capability for self-education. Equipped by the techniques for self-education, a teacher-musician will continue to grow personally and professionally; the techniques determine the level of his/her professional achievements. The authors have developed, proved theoretically and implemented a set of schooling features in the academic practice of a teachers’ training university. These aim at cultivating the culture of self-education, necessary for a teacher-musician for mastering the disciplines in the field of choir singing and conducting. The program has undergone a trial period of validation and the results give grounds to conclude that the authors’ concepts are effective.

 Keywords: self-education, self-education for music educators, the culture of self-education, a set of schooling features, disciplines in the field of conducting and choir singing, a future teacher-musician