Journal of Elementary Education

Understanding The Challenges Associated with Cooperative Learning: An Empirical Study with Primary School Teachers

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Cooperative learning includes effective methods for increasing student learning in primary school and heterogeneous classrooms. However, teachers do not use it very frequently. The present interview study investigates on which levels of the educational system primary teachers perceive difficulties associated with these methods to be located, and what kinds of conflicting demands they associate with it. The study provides important insights into how challenges related to cooperative learning may be addressed.

Using GRM and PECS for improving reading skills in students with autism spectrum disorder

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 11:53:34 +0100

This case study analyzed the impact of GRM and PECS on the reading skills of two children with ASD with severity I and II. A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative approach was used with a pre-experimental, pre-test, post-test, and single-group design. The PROLEC-R Battery was applied before and after using the aforementioned strategies to measure students’ reading ability. Results showed that although both participants improved in the initial and lexical reading processes, only the participant with severity I reached a medium reading level. It was concluded that the used methods were successful, but longer exposure to them will likely yield better outcomes.

Job Satisfaction and Professional Burnout in Kindergarten Teachers

Anita Mandarić Vukušić, Valentina Krstulović — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 11:57:42 +0100

The article investigates the relationship between kindergarten teachers’ professional burnout and their education level and work experience. The data were obtained through a survey conducted among 206 kindergarten teachers. According to the results, kindergarten teachers are most satisfied working with children and collaborating with colleagues, and least satisfied with their monthly income, formal professional training offer, working conditions and work organization. Self-assessment of work exhaustion and work alienation showed no statistically significant differences, but a difference was recorded for work engagement. Kindergarten teachers with bachelor’s degree have the highest level of work engagement, as well as those who are at the beginning of their careers.

Digital Skills Assessment and Digital Competences Self-Assessment Among Students at the University of Split

Suzana Tomaš, Marijana Vrdoljak, Katija Kalebić Jakupčević — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 13:00:47 +0100

The aim of the research was to determine the self-assessment of digital competences and assessment of skills among students of professional and university studies at the University of Split (N=466), as well as to check whether there is a significant difference between them in terms of their year of study, gender, and scientific field of study. The results showed that senior students show a higher digital skills level, and that first-year students of humanities and social studies achieve better results than senior students on the digital skills test.

The Key Trends in Changes to Primary Education in the Czech Republic after the 1989 Velvet Revolution

Vladimíra Spilková — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 13:04:21 +0100

The aim of the review study is to reflect on key trends in the process of transformation of primary education in the Czech Republic after the 1989 Velvet Revolution. The major milestones in the transformation process in terms of education policy are reflected upon. The core of the study is an analysis of the changes to primary education in the reality of school practice, including the most significant innovative approaches. The study concludes with an evaluation of the development of Czech primary education in the context of international trends and with reflection on the prospects for its further development.

Participation in Professional Centres from the Perspective of Children's/Adolescent's Personal and School/Vocational Life Histories

Mateja Marovič, Ana Bogdan Zupančič — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 13:10:03 +0100

The paper deals with the field of participatory action of individuals placed in professional centres, which represents a special conceptual challenge in both the theory and practice of such engagement.

We present the results of a quantitative study involving 231 children/adolescents from all professional centres (more specifically, residential treatment institutions and housing groups) in Slovenia, which provide education for children/adolescents with emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or disorders.

The results show that the participatory involvement of children/adolescents in such institution – especially in support processes that have a significant impact on their personal and school/professional biographies – is not encouraging and that, to a greater extent than in traditional forms of residential treatment institutions, it is in the domain of individuals placed in housing groups.

Impediments to Kindergarten Children Identifying Geometric Shapes

Marija Vorkapić, Jasmina Milinković Milinković, Mila Milošević Milošević — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 13:35:14 +0100

Research shows that children aged 3 to 6 years do not fully grasp the concept of geometric shapes. This paper aims to examine children’s intuitive knowledge of triangles and squares. We analysed the effects of distractors on identification and the neglected properties of (non)examples. The purpose of the study was to establish the developmental path in the identification of shapes. It was operationalized by determining types of interfering distractors in shape recognition and properties neglected. The data obtained from individual interviews were processed by the method of statistical and descriptive qualitative analysis. A classification was made of distractors and properties of non-examples affecting identification.