Teacher Education Policy Issues in Poland: Recommendations for Building a High-Quality Teaching Profession

While there is general agreement that we need to increase the quality of education, there is less agreement on the measures to be taken. This paper focuses on the need to build the high-quality teaching profession to respond to the changing role of teachers in the twenty first century. It is argued that changes in the system of education should include a central place for the teacher and the quality of teacher education. The paper looks at selected aspects of teacher education policy in relation to the Bologna process and changes that were implemented at different levels of the system of education in Poland. A specific concern of this paper is policies that contribute to raising teacher education quality in a way which responds to the challenges of teachers preparation, recruitment, work and careers, and especially teachers’ lifelong learning. The implications of the analysis are that teacher education policy development in Poland should focus on futher actions for attracting to the teaching profession the best candidates and for retaining the best teachers in the school system in order to build a high-quality teaching profession. Some measures for achieving these goals are proposed.While there is general agreement that we need to increase the quality of education, there is less agreement on the measures to be taken. This paper focuses on the need to build the high-quality teaching profession to respond to the changing role of teachers in the twenty first century. It is argued that changes in the system of education should include a central place for the teacher and the quality of teacher education. The paper looks at selected aspects of teacher education policy in relation to the Bologna process and changes that were implemented at different levels of the system of education in Poland. A specific concern of this paper is policies that contribute to raising teacher education quality in a way which responds to the challenges of teachers preparation, recruitment, work and careers, and especially teachers’ lifelong learning. The implications of the analysis are that teacher education policy development in Poland should focus on futher actions for attracting to the teaching profession the best candidates and for retaining the best teachers in the school system in order to build a high-quality teaching profession. Some measures for achieving these goals are proposed

Szanse i ryzyka kształcenia online dla akademickiej relacji mistrz – uczeń

The article describes the opportunities and risks of Master – Student relation in the academic, online learning setting. The article begins with the analysis of Master – Student relation by presenting issues regarding the traditionally interpreted person of the master as well as by presenting the obstacles and expectations faced by students. Further on, advantages and disadvantages of computermediated communication (CMC) of the relation are discussed. Based on the research in CMC which, includes the hyper-personal model and the Media Naturalness Theory, the ambivalence of building an authentic, based on the ethical foundations, and a long-lasting interpersonal relationship, is shown. Finally, key risk areas are discussed, in particular reductionist online learning models implemented by the neoliberal agenda in university education, and doubts about the effectiveness of value-oriented education in a virtual environment.The article describes the opportunities and risks of Master – Student relation in the academic, online learning setting. The article begins with the analysis of Master – Student relation by presenting issues regarding the traditionally interpreted person of the master as well as by presenting the obstacles and expectations faced by students. Further on, advantages and disadvantages of computermediated communication (CMC) of the relation are discussed. Based on the research in CMC which, includes the hyper-personal model and the Media Naturalness Theory, the ambivalence of building an authentic, based on the ethical foundations, and a long-lasting interpersonal relationship, is shown. Finally, key risk areas are discussed, in particular reductionist online learning models implemented by the neoliberal agenda in university education, and doubts about the effectiveness of value-oriented education in a virtual environment

Świadomość, możliwości i bariery w poradnictwie genetycznym w kierunku mutacji BRCA oferowanym Afroamerykankom i Latynoskom

BRCA genetic mutation leads to an increased susceptibility to breast and / or ovarian cancer in the life cycle. Research suggests that African American women use genetic counseling for BRCA less often than White Women. The aim of the review of research work presented in the article is to describe opportunities and barriers present in genetic counseling offered to black women, African-Americans and Latinos. After verification, 16 studies conducted in the years 2012–2019 were subjected to analysis, in which African American, English and Non-English Latin American or mixed samples were tested with partial analysis carried out among African American and / or Latin American Women.BRCA genetic mutation leads to an increased susceptibility to breast and / or ovarian cancer in the life cycle. Research suggests that African American women use genetic counseling for BRCA less often than White Women. The aim of the review of research work presented in the article is to describe opportunities and barriers present in genetic counseling offered to black women, African-Americans and Latinos. After verification, 16 studies conducted in the years 2012–2019 were subjected to analysis, in which African American, English and Non-English Latin American or mixed samples were tested with partial analysis carried out among African American and / or Latin American Women

Światopoglądy jako źródła postaw wobec środowiska naturalnego

The 2020 survey found that adult Poles place the environment high in the hierarchy of life values. However, deeper analysis of the survey revealed a gap between declarations and the realization of these values. Among the more than 50% of adult Poles assigning a high value to the environment in the first part of the survey, in the final, only about 2% admit that it is the most important life value they follow in their daily life choices. The purpose of this article is to answer the question of where the mentioned gap between the declaration and realization of values comes from by analyzing the phenomenon of the existence of worldviews in general and the values correlated with them. This analysis is based not only on the classical answers of Kant, Dilthey or Scheler on the phenomenon of paradigms of reality, but also includes Dawkins’ meme theory and vMEME, or values meme by Beck and Cowan. On this base, conclusions about possible directions for educational changes regarding raising to the ecological paradigm were drawn. The novelty of the article is the proposal to design the change, using modern sources of information and knowledge acquisition, often rejected by the education system.  The 2020 survey found that adult Poles place the environment high in the hierarchy of life values. However, deeper analysis of the survey revealed a gap between declarations and the realization of these values. Among the more than 50% of adult Poles assigning a high value to the environment in the first part of the survey, in the final, only about 2% admit that it is the most important life value they follow in their daily life choices. The purpose of this article is to answer the question of where the mentioned gap between the declaration and realization of values comes from by analyzing the phenomenon of the existence of worldviews in general and the values correlated with them. This analysis is based not only on the classical answers of Kant, Dilthey or Scheler on the phenomenon of paradigms of reality, but also includes Dawkins’ meme theory and vMEME, or values meme by Beck and Cowan. On this base, conclusions about possible directions for educational changes regarding raising to the ecological paradigm were drawn. The novelty of the article is the proposal to design the change, using modern sources of information and knowledge acquisition, often rejected by the education system

Konflikt zbrojny jako źródło kryzysu migracyjnego. Wybrane formy wsparcia uchodźców z Ukrainy

Armed conflicts are an integral part of a globalized world. And although their frequency, intensity and duration are varied – just like the motives for their occurrence – their common elements are suffering, pain, fear and death of innocent people. The victims of armed conflicts are then forced to make efforts related to the struggle for survival, and some of them decide to migrate to safer places, even beyond the borders of their country. The article is a review, pointing to one of the sources of migration crises, which is the armed conflict. The author briefly refers to the conflicts and their consequences in recent history, focusing mainly on the current topic of aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, launched on February 24, 2022. The aim of the article is to present selected forms of support to refugees from Ukraine, both by the government in Poland and non-governmental organizations.Armed conflicts are an integral part of a globalized world. And although their frequency, intensity and duration are varied – just like the motives for their occurrence – their common elements are suffering, pain, fear and death of innocent people. The victims of armed conflicts are then forced to make efforts related to the struggle for survival, and some of them decide to migrate to safer places, even beyond the borders of their country. The article is a review, pointing to one of the sources of migration crises, which is the armed conflict. The author briefly refers to the conflicts and their consequences in recent history, focusing mainly on the current topic of aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, launched on February 24, 2022. The aim of the article is to present selected forms of support to refugees from Ukraine, both by the government in Poland and non-governmental organizations

Piętno technologii – nomofobia i FoMO jako przykłady lęków współczesnej młodzieży

There is no doubt that new technologies are the hallmark of modern times. For young people, the digital world is a natural environment for their functioning in everyday life. Smartphones and social media accompany them almost everywhere. Many of them, following their idols, not only like and comment on what others do, but also create their own image online. This often leads them to lose themselves in what they are doing, and when, for some reason, there is no access to a device or SNS, it results in their anxiety and stress. The ongoing pandemic has, in a way, “forced” many of us to have more contact with new technologies. Sitting in front of a computer/smartphone for hours, while studying/working remotely is not without its consequences on physical as well as mental health. There are two increasingly common fears, among the results of the excessive use of smartphones and e.g. social media (mainly used by young people), related to the use of new technologies: nomophobia and FoMO. The former is a kind of separation anxiety related to not having access to a mobile phone. The second one is characterised by people who use social media without restraint, when they cannot check what is happening on their favourite platforms. The aim of this article is to present the characteristics of both phenomena, the means of diagnosis and the results of national and international research showing their scale.There is no doubt that new technologies are the hallmark of modern times. For young people, the digital world is a natural environment for their functioning in everyday life. Smartphones and social media accompany them almost everywhere. Many of them, following their idols, not only like and comment on what others do, but also create their own image online. This often leads them to lose themselves in what they are doing, and when, for some reason, there is no access to a device or SNS, it results in their anxiety and stress. The ongoing pandemic has, in a way, “forced” many of us to have more contact with new technologies. Sitting in front of a computer/smartphone for hours, while studying/working remotely is not without its consequences on physical as well as mental health. There are two increasingly common fears, among the results of the excessive use of smartphones and e.g. social media (mainly used by young people), related to the use of new technologies: nomophobia and FoMO. The former is a kind of separation anxiety related to not having access to a mobile phone. The second one is characterised by people who use social media without restraint, when they cannot check what is happening on their favourite platforms. The aim of this article is to present the characteristics of both phenomena, the means of diagnosis and the results of national and international research showing their scale

Psychological flexibility and attitudes towards individuals with disabilities

This study examines the relationship between psychological flexibility and attitudes, perceptions, and feelings towards individuals with disabilities and towards integrating people with disabilities in society. This integrated study, presented here, is a stage in a broader study that examined the relationship between psychological flexibility, educational elements, and various components that take part in shaping and assimilating perceptions and attitudes towards disabilities. The study presented here was conducted in two parts: The first part included data collection and quantitative analysis from 153 adult subjects to understand the statistical relationship between psychological resilience and attitudes toward disability. The second part included integrated data collection and analysis, quantitative and qualitative, from 60 respondents, 30 children, and 30 adults, to deepen our understanding regarding the correlations between psychological flexibility and the approach towards disabilities and the understanding of components that affect the correlation. The study shows a positive correlation between psychological flexibility and an attitude towards disabilities, and contributes to deepening the understanding of components that have different effects on this relationship.This study examines the relationship between psychological flexibility and attitudes, perceptions, and feelings towards individuals with disabilities and towards integrating people with disabilities in society. This integrated study, presented here, is a stage in a broader study that examined the relationship between psychological flexibility, educational elements, and various components that take part in shaping and assimilating perceptions and attitudes towards disabilities. The study presented here was conducted in two parts: The first part included data collection and quantitative analysis from 153 adult subjects to understand the statistical relationship between psychological resilience and attitudes toward disability. The second part included integrated data collection and analysis, quantitative and qualitative, from 60 respondents, 30 children, and 30 adults, to deepen our understanding regarding the correlations between psychological flexibility and the approach towards disabilities and the understanding of components that affect the correlation. The study shows a positive correlation between psychological flexibility and an attitude towards disabilities, and contributes to deepening the understanding of components that have different effects on this relationship

Elementy magii i religii w rzeczywistości społecznej kapitalizmu

The article is dedicated to the issue of magic and religion in the social reality of capitalism. The goal of the article is to present  examples proving that capitalism in various places (post-communist Central Europe, San Cristobal in the Mexican state of Chiapas, Colombian department Valle del Cauca, New York) and at various times (from the 1970s to the second decade of the 21st century) was associated with elements of religion and magic through social thinking and practice, and therefore elements of social reality. On the other hand, in the discourse, capitalism is often presented as a part of nature: the existence that acts objectively, like the laws of physics. In the article, this apparent contradiction is presented as a dialectical aspect of the present day, in which the discourse and social reality are complementary.The article is dedicated to the issue of magic and religion in the social reality of capitalism. The goal of the article is to present  examples proving that capitalism in various places (post-communist Central Europe, San Cristobal in the Mexican state of Chiapas, Colombian department Valle del Cauca, New York) and at various times (from the 1970s to the second decade of the 21st century) was associated with elements of religion and magic through social thinking and practice, and therefore elements of social reality. On the other hand, in the discourse, capitalism is often presented as a part of nature: the existence that acts objectively, like the laws of physics. In the article, this apparent contradiction is presented as a dialectical aspect of the present day, in which the discourse and social reality are complementary