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Abstract: The aim of our study was to explore students’ bystander roles in peer bullying considering the interaction between their individual and contextual characteristics. We included social status goals (popularity, social preference and social insecurity), moral disengagement and peer support as key variables for differentiating bystander behaviour. Our sample comprised 5148 students from the 8th and 9th grades across 118 primary schools in Slovenia. Bystander roles (active and passive reinforcers, ignorants and defenders) were determined by peer nominations. Other characteristics were measured with self-report questionnaires. For each variable, we normalized students’ results with regard to their classroom to define classroom norms as the context of peer bullying resulting in “low”, “average” and “high” group. Students with similar individual and contextual characteristics were grouped into four clusters. The results showed that students from all clusters were present in all bystander roles, which indicates a highly complex interaction of various factors in bystander behaviour. Some educational implications are discussed.
Keywords: medvrstniško nasilje, opazovalci, vrstniška podpora, moralnost, osnovnošolci, bullying, bystanders, peer support, morality, elementary school students
Published in DKUM: 17.10.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 4
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Abstract: The Lisbon Strategy and other documents of the European Union advocating for a knowledge-based society have provided the ground for restructuring schools and changing pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning, focusing on creativity and entrepreneurship. One of the approaches increasingly popular in Slovenia has been Edward de Bono's methodology. The article analyses the benefits, controversies, and potentials of de Bono's "lateral thinking" methods for increasing creativity when introduced to children in elementary school courses and extracurricular activities. Based on the qualitative study, it explores how this "pragmatic" approach to creativity is realised in Slovenian elementary schools, and reflects on teaching creativity in schools as a systemic approach.
Keywords: creativity, Edward de Bono, elementary school, metaphors, creative ability, elementary education, creative teaching, lateral thinking, Slovenia
Published in DKUM: 20.02.2024; Views: 308; Downloads: 34
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Abstract: The thesis Oral Assessment of English in the Third Cycle of Slovene Elementary Schools consists of two sections – theoretical and empirical. The aim of the former was to analyse the various factors that contribute to successful oral assessment. Oral assessment differs from others in its execution, since it is conveyed by word of mouth. This creates authentic communication between the two groups of participants – learners and the teacher. However, both have to fulfil their roles. Firstly, the learners’ task is to prepare well for the assessment and act respectfully towards the assessor. Secondly, the teacher must produce adequate criteria and tasks which meet the principles of reliability and validity. In the empirical section, we present how the oral assessment of English is executed in the third cycle of Slovene elementary schools by examining two groups of participants – teachers of English and third-cycle learners. It was established that learners prefer oral assessment, whereas teachers either remained undecided or claimed that they preferred written assessment. The general dislike of the oral form among teachers can be explained by their observations about lack of time. Consequently, many learners reported the common use of writing of the answers as a form of oral assessment, whereas the majority of teachers denied such claims. Interviews and presentations remain the two most commonly used forms of oral assessment; in addition, they are also the most popular among both groups of participants. All in all, a significant body of the learners claimed they would not change anything about the current process of oral assessment, which suggests that many curricular elements are adequately selected and executed.
Keywords: oral assessment, learners, teacher, English, elementary school
Published in DKUM: 08.01.2019; Views: 1363; Downloads: 7
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Abstract: The author of the present paper first theoretically describe the didactic concept of integrated lessons, then layout the discussions on integrating lessons in subject Natural and social studies (now Environmental studies) with lessons in Slovene subject. In the empirical part she demonstrate the attitude of teachers in the first triad toward integrated lessons and how the subject Environmental studies is included into this concept. The findings show that the teachers included in the sample had different opinions about integrated lessons. They saw one of the basic advantages of integrated lessons compared to classical ones in the linking of the lessons with the pupils' lives. In the integration of the subject Environmental studies with other subjects, the subject Slovene language plays an important role. Teachers, however, cannot find connections with some of the subjects, despite the fact that they are defined in the national curriculum. The teachers claim they have greatest difficulties in the phase of planning integrated lessons.
Keywords: education, primary education, integrated lessons, elementary school, environmental studies
Published in DKUM: 19.12.2017; Views: 1291; Downloads: 169
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Abstract: A typical (Slovene) teenager today no longer finds reading materials on the book shelves in the local library, but forms a reading list of electronic sources, very often in English. However, in contrast with an abundance of studies focusing on first language (L1) reading strategies and motivation, not a lot of literature can be found on reading motivation in a foreign language, even though it is perceived as one of the most important factors influencing second language (L2) development. The aim of this research is to determine the influences on reading motivation in English as a foreign language in the group of young teenagers (11-14-year-olds) and a possible transfer of L1 reading attitudes to L2 reading. The theoretical framework relies on Wigfield and Guthrie's (1997) self-efficacy theory and Day and Bamford's (1998) expectancy value model. The data obtained from 197 questionnaires give an insight into not only the frequency of reading in English and the type of reading materials, but also the factors influencing teenagers' reading motivation in EFL.
Keywords: reading motivation, elementary school learners, transfer of reading attitudes
Published in DKUM: 12.10.2017; Views: 1444; Downloads: 152
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