Abstract: This article highlights the educational and instructional value of literary texts in the EFL classroom, pointing at various strategies that can be applied to actively involve learners in text-related activities and in communicative activities that go beyond the text, among which, heuristic ones. The literary text has been overshadowed and underappreciated as a teaching resource in EFL and this article is trying to revive it stressing the manifold benefits it can have for the learner.

Keywords: literary text, heuristic strategy, competence, reading, involvement.

Abstract: This article presents the equity problematic in higher education from an historical perspective. The analyse makes general references to the international context and undertakes a specific approach upon the Romanian higher education. The data relay on an incursion in the legislation level and into specific educational practices for every historical period. In the Romanian higher education the equity was approached from the perspective of the equal access and equal opportunities at the admission, along the studies and at the departure from the educational system.

Keywords: equity, higher education, affirmative measures, university autonomy.

Abstract: We live in a society that is in a constant and rapid change process, a society in which lifelong learning continues to be a main engine, even if formal education, in its traditional form, tends to lose ground in front of the other two forms: non-formal and informal education. Contemporary man cannot be limited only to acquire a large volume of knowledge. It becomes more important the pragmatic vision on education, which is to know what to do, how to use knowledge products, to structure a set of functional knowledge and then convert this knowledge into constructive attitudes and behaviors. As such, it is an imperative for teachers to pay particular attention to develop their own professional and transversal competences, specific for non-formal education area. This form of education, perceived as a bridge between school education/formal education and informal education, mainly carried out in the family and in society, in general, represent a favourable educational context to the personality development of modern man.

Keywords:formal education, non-formal education, informal education, professional competences, transversal competences.

Abstract: The actual context of educational praxis is adjusted, in education policy, by a precise reference: competence-based curriculum. Motivation for such (re)orientation generates complementary effects: focusing on student, focusing on learning. The informational offer regarding the territories of significance which are associated with new milestones-concept is rich and heterogeneous, and through these attributes, generating confusion and nutritional for apories. Under a state of necessity (that of a unified vision, coherent and cohesive reflected in concrete efforts by learning management), how can be negotiated the diversity of competence’s meanings (as finality of school learning)? In this context stimulated by paradigmatic remodelling which are the practical effects teacher can manage? The theoretical „infrastructure” regarding lesson remains valid, in the conditions of an analytical modelling which operates with variables such as „knowledge”, „abilities”, „attitude”? The relative rhetorical character of the last sentence receives during this material a confirmation of the utility of a more complex approach that does not ignore a multiple resizing lesson: structural, temporal, typological, designing, conceptual. The paper addresses to teachers and those who are forming for this profession. It is proposed as a management lesson’s interpretative and methodological alternative.

Keywords: class learning, home learning, competencies, lesson.

Abstract: By means of the purpose of education, axiology proves itself to be necessary in the educational process. Concepts like evaluation, value and valorization are inter-related and they originate in fairy tales and legends. Kindergarden plays an overwhelming role in the child’s axiological values. The article refers to the selection and organizing of a set of values in a preschool education curriculum where children are prepared for a dynamic world. Multiculturalism leads to the incorporation of individual and national values into a universal value of all mankind.

Keywords: axiological education, value, preschool age, axiological exercises. 

Abstract: Regarding the evolution of discipline in history it is noticed the fact that it was based on coercive methods like constraint and corporal punishment. Nowadays, the matter of discipline in education is in the foreground. Therefore, approaching this matter must be made from the beginning, from preschool. Starting from defining the concept, the article presents a new approach for the discipline of the child. The Montessori methods presents the model of active discipline by placing the child into a prepared environment according to his needs, having the freedom to choose his materials under the apparently passive guidance of the educator. The child’s interest toward the materials that are especially conceived induces active and spontaneous concentration, which represents the first step in correcting the behavioural deviations.

Keywords: discipline, preschool, freedom, normalization, Montessori. 

Abstract: This article aims to present an overview of the theoretical framework of the career orientation programmes in the higher education in The Netherlands in general, and exemplify it, by presenting the structure and implementation of one of these programmes that is implemented in an Applied Sciences University, in particular.

Keywords: SCP (Student Career Planning), PDP (Personal Development Planning). 

Abstract: The paper tries to present an optional course designed to develop the students’ intercultural communication competences, but also their competences in English in an integrated way, and its results after six months. The target group is represented by a class of philology – intensive English, 11th grade, and a B1 level, according to the European Framework of Reference for Languages, but with a low motivation for studying English. Besides developing competences in English and in intercultural communication, this course also tries to facilitate the students’ transition to the B2 level, supposing a higher degree of abstraction. This course was designed in September 2015 and have been implemented throughout the school year 2015-2016. Since its beginning, the course was successful, being seen as a novelty and an alternative to the classical curriculum, and after six months the results are notable: the students are more involved and their motivation considerably increased. The case of three students is also notable, while they managed to improve their communication competences, reaching the B1 level, as shown in the results of a test applied after three months.

Keywords: CLIL, motivation, involvement, communication competences. 

Abstract: The teacher’s authority should not be confused with authoritarianism and should not be used as a power source. Teacher’s authority should be used as a means of preparing for autonomy, objectivity in social interaction, freedom of conscious youth. In education management there is a formal authority and position, legitimate stated, and a functional competence. Formal authority has negative effects on the development of pupils and it is generating psychosocial conflicts and low yield. Formal authority is the authority that derives from the manifestation of a socio-professional standing, and the competence-based one is manifested through the skills and competences of the teacher proven in the educational context. In the efficient educational management authority based on competence works better than the formal authority. Sources of the competence-based authority are teaching skills, methodological, organizational and assessment skills.

Keywords: authority of the teacher, students’ autonomy and accountability, formal authority, competence-based authority. 

Abstract: The current study presents the way an educational institution from Romania uses certain motivational strategies for primary school students, parents’ perceptions as to the efficiency of these strategies and also teachers’ perspective on the use of motivational strategies in the classroom. The study took place in a private educational institution from Cluj-Napoca and it presents data collected from an online questionnaire and from teacher observation sheets. Therefore, the data collected from two sources indicate the way the existing motivational strategies are perceived by parents and by the teachers using them. The main purpose of the study was the investigation of the way primary school students feel about the following motivational strategies: Golden Time, Star of the Week and Spectrum Points as well as the perceived effectiveness of these strategies by parents and primary school teachers

Keywords: motivational strategies, extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, classroom research, social context, rewards. 

Abstract: The educational programme „I TEACH DIVERSITY AT MY CLASSES AND THE STUDENTS LIKE IT!” coordinated by the Center for Independent Journalism Bucharest aimed to facilitate youth’ access to information regarding the civic rights and obligations, the European laws of democracy, the constitutional values. It is using an innovative methodology adapted to the students’ age-specific challenges and concerns (such as communication in the virtual environment). By integrating the educational activities in the framework of the Romanian language and literature classes it is enhancing the motivation for learning, in general. The project empowered the school organization with several educational activities according to the actual imperatives of education for diversity, dealing with topics of interest for students such as: aspects of diversity, domestic violence, discrimination/ no hate speech/ safety/ challenges of the Internet, theater improvisations, thematic debates and educational films followed by sessions of questions and answers.

Keywords: diversity, social inclusion, discrimination. 

Abstract: In a context where it becomes more and more evident that the traditional method of teaching sound art is not the only valid solution for general music education, the project „Culture through Music” brings about an invigorating perspective, providing hands-on experience with three methods which have already proven to be a success internationally, methods on which Romanian pedagogists have had only abstract information, available in specialist dictionaries and publications. The educational principles and strategies employed by the Dalcroze, Orff and Kodály methods often coincide, in a consensus proving their otherwise holistic nature, which becomes more important than their differentiating elements. From Dalcroze, where body movement is intimately linked to music, and the natural response of the body complements the sound, to Orff, focusing on the importance of instrumental improvisation, and on words, with their rhythmic profiles which lay the foundation of sound art, to Kodály, promoter of singing, which makes the concepts of sound much more naturally understood and assimilated, all three methods plead for reclaiming the inner child, always ready to play and rejoice with sounds.

Keywords: music, Dalcroze, Orff, Kodály, education, pedagogy. 

Abstract: The utility and adequacy of skills forecasts to support the work developed in career guidance and counselling and careers education is discussed. To do so the quality of underlying survey data is analysed and career learning theory is used to discuss their potential role in developing career management skills of individuals. Conclusions indicate that forecasts utility is increased by combining distinct sources of data in career services provision and by widening the range for speculative utilisation of data. Examples of successful integration of forecasts in practice oriented career learning activities are provided.

Keywords: Career guidance, Careers Education, Forecasts, Skills forecasts, Career learning, Labour market information.

Abstract: The theoretical approach and the empirical results point that vocational decision is an important task in the development of identity, decisional maturity which in the same time revealing optimal functioning of personality. This developmentally salient situation is passed successfully by those with clear options, while being perceived as a source of major stress by those with doubts of their choice, or to choosing between vocational alternatives (undecided) and by those with no alternatives, or uninterested in vocational decision (indecisiveness) alike. Some of the causes if vocational indecisiveness have been identified early on, this being the order informational, competences or emotional. The existential framework can provide a process-oriented framework for interpreting career indecisiveness. This article focus on existential consideration for career counselling highlighted the added values of existential approach in interpreting career indecisiveness.

Keywords: adolescence, career indecisiveness, existential theory.

THE ROLE OF COUNSELLING IN DEVELOPING THE STUDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL RESILIENCE | Ramona Elena ANGHEL

Full article | Abstract & Keywords

Abstract: Promoting educational resilience is necessary in our society, considering the high number of students that are confronted with many adverse conditions – from individual risk factors to systemic ones – that affect their academic and professional development. Educational resilient students maintain their motivation for learning and they succeed academically despite the influence of risk factors that make them vulnerable to school failure. School counselling has an active and meaningful role in developing students’ educational resilience, through direct interventions as well as programs addressed to the teachers and parents, or through activities that support school-community partnerships.

Keywords: educational resilience, students, school counselling, resources.

Résumé: L’éducation comprend deux parties complémentaires, l’une anthropologique et autre expressive (manifeste). Les attitudes et les valeurs religieuses sont font partie du domaine affectif. Le table avec les niveaux données des résultats d’apprentissage est une proposition pour une possible grille d’évaluation appréciatif-qualitative positive (pour montrer ce qu’il faut corrigé) dans l’éducation religieuse. Chaque niveau est défini d’un ensemble de descripteurs quels indiquent les résultats d’apprentissage relève pour les compétences aproprié du niveau respectif.

Les mots-clé: évaluation, éducation religieuse, résultats d’apprentissage, niveaux d’appréciation, table des niveaux.

Abstract: From the perspective of values, education involves two complementary parts, one anthropological and one manifest. Religious attitudes and values belong to the affective field. These are decomposable units that are hard to evaluate. The matrix of learning outcomes is a project for a positive positive-qualitative evaluation grid proposed for use in the religious education. Each level is defined by a set of descriptors that indicate learning outcomes relevant to the competencies corresponding to that level.

Keywords: Evaluation, religious education, learning outcomes, levels of appreciation, matrices.

Abstract: Each child has the right to be understood and encouraged during the learning process. They are different in their development, learning styles, individual features. In a multigrade classroom, there are also age differences. In a multigrade class, teaching means working simultaneously with two, three or four classes, in the same time, depending on the number of students. The educational process is conducted according to the same plan and curricula available to other schools. The multigrade teaching continues to be a reality in our days. The geographical specificity of some countries, the social and economic situation of the provinces contribute to its preservation. It is our duty, of everyone to know its specifics and to invest in human and material resources.

Keywords: management, competence, school manager, performance 

Abstract: The right to education is a social right guaranteed by both European and wider international legal tools such as the European Convention on Human Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The hypothesis of this research was that the right to education evolves constantly, influencing educational policies. An interview-based study with officials, judges and policymakers from UNESCO, OECD, ILO, CoE, ECHR and CJEU was mobilised in order to check this hypothesis. The thematic analysis demonstrated that the right to education encompasses, not only margin of appreciation and subsidiarity, but also axes concerning compulsory education and alphabetisation, mobility and non-discrimination.

Keywords: right to education, political analysis, International Organisations, United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation (UNESCO), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), International Labour Organisation (ILO), Council of Europe (CoE), European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), European Union (EU), Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). 

Abstract: The current study presents the case of the Romanian education system adopting digital textbooks in primary school. The study is based on the data collected from a one-question online survey conducted within the online teachers’ community,didactic.ro, and on qualitative data collected from two sources, firstly, a ethnographic source, namely, teachers’ online comments to the one-question survey and secondly, English teachers’ answers to an online open ended questionnaire. The data from these sources were triangulated in order to render a better picture of the use and perceptions of digital textbooks in the Romanian education system. The main aim of the study was to investigate the way primary school teachers use the available digital textbooks but also to examine the extent to which these textbooks are perceived as useful or not by primary school teachers and to identify the possible faults and positive aspects related to the use and content of digital textbooks.

Keywords: e-learning, digital textbooks, digitization policy, computer assisted language learning (CALL), mobile assisted language learning (MALL). 

Abstract: The main components of inclusive education are access and equal opportunities. This creates a friendly environment where the student can feel good and reach his full potential. The transition to inclusive education depends on the willingness and openness to diversity of a number of components of the educational process, as well as of the students as a human resource from inclusive schools. Seen as in Romania there are no fully inclusive schools, but only integrating schools, we point out possible directions for inclusive education to take which will improve conditions for students integrated in normal schools. This study is part of a larger research project. Here we focus on aspects that improve the wellbeing of students with special educational needs (CES acronym in Romania) with respect to relations with the other pupils.

Keywords: inclusion, integration, wellness, special educational needs, tolerance. 

Abstract: The graduates’ access in the job market is secured, to a large extent, by the level of training on completion of studies, i.e. the acquired competencies and skills. At the same time, the employers are concerned with attracting young graduates not only holders of a university degree, but those who make the proof of a good theoretical and practical training, to meet the current demands and perform well on the job. The POSDRU competition gave us the opportunity to have the Adapt2jobs (www.adapt2jobs.ro) project financed, and enabled us this study. The comparative study was designed on the principles of quantitative research and was possible as a result of processing the data collected during two student and employer surveys, basically aiming at the same variables. The originality of the study lies in the simultaneous analysis of both the students’ and the employers’ perception over the same variable, e.g. the capacity to identify problems and find solutions. The results of the study were used during the implementation of the Adapt2jobs project and underlied the intervention on the curriculum but also on the content of three different areas of studies: social sciences, economic sciences and architecture.

Keywords: competencies, skills, curriculum, survey, employers, students, job market, UBC (University-Business Cooperation).