Dissertation is focused on the continuing education of teachers in terms of the current legisla-tion of the European Union and the Czech Republic as one of the key adaptive mechanisms that ensure the ability of the education system to adequately respond to the ever changing so-cial conditions in today's globalized world. The theoretical part through the analysis of different theoretical approaches to further education, defines and describes the issue of further education of teachers, the system - specific conditions, areas and its financing. It deals with the areas of the teacher's profession, their competences, career structure and professional standards. The empirical part of this dissertation, based on empirical research, describes the system of further education of teachers both in terms of school managment, and from the perspective of teachers and it maps specific factors affecting the quality of the current further education of teachers. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

This study investigates awareness and use of communicative language teaching methodology (CLT) in a foundation programme at an institution of higher learning in the Sultanate of Oman, where rapid expansion and a reliance on expatriate skills has resulted in the employment of predominantly native English teachers, many with inadequate formal teacher training. The qualitative research methodology employed involved a core of five teachers using three data-gathering instruments and ten additional English language teachers who responded to a questionnaire. The study finds that the majority of teachers have inadequate knowledge of the CLT approach and do not use it in the classroom. The findings suggest that an adapted version of CLT which embraces local contextual and sociocultural conditions may be pedagogically viable. The study draws comparisons between the idea of a hypothetical, “adapted” version of CLT and the notions of “particularity, practicality and possibility” as suggested by Kumaravadivelu (2006). / English Studies / M.A. (Specialisation in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, TESOL)

The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the Western Cape Province's non-governmental child diversion programme compliance with the Minimum Programme Outcomes Standards developed by the Department of Social Development for programme accreditation. The Minimum Standards focus on optimal diversion outcomes for children in conflict with the law and were designed to ensure good diversion practice. The juvenile justice system has determined child diversion as a rehabilitative and cost-effective alternative justice option, positively contributing towards the curbing of re-offending among child offenders. The research process was guided by a mixed method approach and utilised a structured questionnaire as well as comments and information stated by the respondents during the interview process. The questionnaire was applied to a representative sample of non-governmental diversion programme facilitators of the various diversion programme types to determine the level of programme compliance and to evaluate the implications that the results might hold for programme participants, service providers, as well as for the accreditation process. The results of the study revealed a high level of Minimum Programme Outcomes Standards compliance, with an average of 83%. These results indicate that, in general, the programmes provided by non-governmental diversion service providers are complying with the Minimum Standards and are thereby ensuring good diversion practice. This should positively influence their eligibility for programme accreditation by the Department of Social Development. At the same time. the results of the study have pointed towards other challenges. which were evaluated and discussed. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminology)

The diploma thesis deals with the design of three length standards, which will serve to ensure metrological traceability between Rigaku nano3DX, SIOS NMM-1, Zeiss UPMC Carat 850 and other devices located at ÚVSSR BUT and CEITEC Brno. The first part of the thesis focuses on the theoretical acquaintance with concepts closely related to the issue of ensuring metrological traceability. In addition, this section deals with computed tomography and the description of individual devices. The second part of the thesis is devoted to design, production process and testing of individual standards. The last part describes the ensuring the calibration of the smallest standard, the so-called Nano standard and the calculation of the uncertainty of measuring its calibrated length. At the end of the thesis, the outputs of these activities are evaluated.

(in English): Dissertation is focused on the continuing education of teachers in terms of the current legislation of the European Union and the Czech Republic as one of the key adaptive mechanisms that ensure the ability of the education system to adequately respond to the ever changing social conditions in today's globalized world. The theoretical part through the analysis of different theoretical approaches to further education, defines and describes the issue of further education of teachers , the system - specific conditions , areas and its financing. It deals with the areas of the teacher's profession, their competences , career structure and professional standards. The empirical part of this dissertation, based on empirical research, describes the system of further education of teachers both in terms of school leadership , and from the perspective of teachers and it maps specific factors affecting the quality of the current further education of teachers.

Depuis une cinquantaine d’années l’action sociale en faveur des personnes âgées et des personnes handicapées s’est construite par empilements successifs de dispositifs législatifs et réglementaires sans une volonté d’harmonisation et de cohérence.Les services à domicile, sanitaires ou médico-sociaux, créés ces vingt dernières années n’échappent pas à ce mouvement, qu’ils soient en direction des enfants ou des adultes handicapés, ou des personnes âgées.Cette thèse fait l’état de ce qui existe en recherchant comment les bénéficiaires utilisateurs ont accès aux services, par leurs propres moyens financiers, par un financement public ou par le biais de la solidarité nationale. Des propositions de simplification des dispositifs, de mise en cohérence entre eux sont faites pour permettre un plus large accès.La recherche de la protection des bénéficiaires y est présente notamment d’une part, par la qualité du service, dans l’étude des processus de professionnalisation des acteurs à travers leur formation ou l’organisation professionnelle du secteur. D’autre part, la protection des bénéficiaires est également étudiée sous l’angle des dispositifs juridiques existants, pour lesquels il semble nécessaire d’y apporter un renforcement. Enfin, pour développer le soutien aux aidants familiaux, pilier essentiel de la prise en compte de la dépendance des personnes âgées et des personnes handicapées, il faut modifier le droit actuel. / Since fifty years the social action for the elderly and disabled persons has been built by successive stacks of legislation and regulations without desire for harmonization and consistency.Home services created in the last twenty years are no exception to this trend, whether towards children and adults with disabilities and the elderly, health or medico-social.This thesis is the state that exists by searching how recipient users have access to services through their own financial resources, through public funding or through national solidarity. Proposals for simplification of the devices, to ensure consistency between them are made to allow wider access.The search for the protection of beneficiaries is present, especially in the study of processes of professionalization, through training or professional organization of the sector. Proposals are made there. The protection of beneficiaries is also studied in terms of existing legal frameworks, where it seems necessary to make it stronger. Finally to expand the support for family caregivers, an essential pillar of taking into account the dependence of the elderly and disabled persons, we have to change the current law.

In a rapidly changing and competitive world organisations need to develop and improve their performance continuously to ensure a competitive advantage. Organisations need to determine their current status of performance constantly and identify organisational strengths and areas where improvements can be made. Periodic organisational self-assessments are therefore required to measure current management and operations policies, practices and procedures, in order to enhance overall business performance rather than solely concentrating on the quality of products or services. Traditionally, external inspections were more commonly used by educational and training institutions for the evaluation of institution and learner performance. These institutions are today taking part in a growing drive for internal self-evaluation, arising from the desire of institutions and Education, Training and Development (ETD) practitioners to assess their own performances. Self-assessment as part of an endeavour to sustain continuous improvement is therefore also appropriate for ETD providers in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). A new defence dispensation and a changing ETD environment in South Africa have created new demands on ETD providers in the SANDF. Although training units within the SANDF may function in a unique military context, national legislation relevant to ETD and the latest approach of openness and transparency into matters of the Department imply that military as well as non-military ETD in the SANDF is to be closely aligned with national training and development initiatives. As legislation does not make a distinction between military and private ETD providers in South Africa, most traditionally assumed differences are no longer relevant. A case study explored the appropriateness of conducting organisational self-assessment as component of a Continuous Performance Improvement Strategy and Quality Assurance within the SANDF. The study also investigated the usefulness of a Total Quality Management approach to quality assurance in the ETD environment and the impact of the frameworks used, available assessment instruments and the selected assessment methods on the significance of organisational self-assessment by ETD providers. This study's investigation of the appropriateness and significance of regular organisational self-assessments by training units in the SANDF thus has broader implications, as recommendations are also applicable to other ETD providers. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Education Management)

BACKGROUND: Clinical facilities are essential components not only for health care delivery systems but also for health care education programs. The clinical learning environment is important in training the future workforce in healthcare. Respiratory therapy education programs face several issues with the need to prepare a proper learning environment in different clinical settings. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of respiratory therapy students on the learning environment of clinical facilities affiliated with a respiratory therapy program at an urban state university. METHODS: This study used an exploratory research design to evaluate the essential aspects of a clinical learning environment in respiratory therapy education. A self-reporting survey was utilized to gather data from 34 respiratory therapy students regarding their perception about the effectiveness of clinical facilities in respiratory therapy education. The researcher utilized The Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision and Nurse Teacher (CLES+T) evaluation scale that was developed by Sarrikoski et al. (2008). The CLES+T evaluation scale was adapted and modified after a written agreement from the author. The survey included three main domains, which are the clinical learning environment (18 items), the supervision relationship (15 items), and the role of clinical instructors (9 items). Thirty-two students participated in the survey with a response rate of 94.1%. RESULTS: Responses included two groups of students: the second year undergraduate (68.8%) and graduate students (31.3%), with 75% being female participants. The results obtained from the study indicated that both graduate and undergraduate respiratory therapy students gave high mean scores to the learning environment of the clinical facilities, supervisory relationship and the roles of clinical instructors. A statistically significant data was obtained pertaining to the difference of perceptions regarding the multi-dimensional learning between the graduate and undergraduate students. The graduate students evaluated that “the learning situation are multi-dimensional” more than the undergraduate students (p = 0.03). Findings of this study showed that female students had higher ratings than male students in all evaluations of clinical facilities. However, only one dimension of leadership style stating that “the effort of individual employees was appreciated” was statistically significant (p=0.03). The results stating, the presence of a significant percentage of the students with lack of successful private supervision and high percentage of failed supervisory relationship, are in contrast with the fact that clinical learning plays a vital role in the respiratory therapy education. It is also contrasting that majority of the students experienced team supervision, which is against the philosophy and principles of individualization. CONCLUSION: Since respiratory therapy is a practice-based profession, it is essential to integrate clinical education to respiratory care education. Gender and education level may impact students’ perceptions about the learning environment of clinical facilities. This study provides information about areas for improvement in clinical facilities affiliated with a respiratory care education program at an urban university.

This thesis examines the challenges faced by the ministers of religion in Churches of Christ (Restoration Movement) in Bicol, Philippines. The goal is to do theology from below, not from above, as pastoral ministry must come from the experience of those who practice it, not from textbooks. The pastoral perspectives of the dilemmas that the ministers raise are heard, observed, documented, and then reflected upon. To do this, case studies of four preachers are used and the mga problema that they present are explored with them. As a result, first, I introduce some of those challenges which are perplexing on the ground level and which appear to be under-researched in serious theological circles, especially in an Asian context. Second, I hope that these case studies can be used to stimulate reflection in ministerial and spiritual formation. Third, I document some of the theology and methodology of the Churches of Christ, particularly as practiced in the Philippines. Chapter 1 explores the dichotomy between the perceived satisfaction in the pastoral ministry with the crisis of role and identity. In particular, issues such as forced exits and stress are presented while baptism and preaching are scrutinized. Chapter 2 centres on the conundrums experienced in planting a new church and being the lone planter. Chapter 3 examines three challenges–the task of ministering in a home congregation, the issue of accreditation in ministerial training, and how the minister can be a success and grow the church. Never far from the thoughts and actions of any of the Bicolano ministers is the problema of poverty, so Chapter 4 considers some of the Filipino, personal, and spiritual complexities of poverty, delineates a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration in any effort to overcome this malady and concludes with a particular reference to ministry.

In a rapidly changing and competitive world organisations need to develop and improve their performance continuously to ensure a competitive advantage. Organisations need to determine their current status of performance constantly and identify organisational strengths and areas where improvements can be made. Periodic organisational self-assessments are therefore required to measure current management and operations policies, practices and procedures, in order to enhance overall business performance rather than solely concentrating on the quality of products or services. Traditionally, external inspections were more commonly used by educational and training institutions for the evaluation of institution and learner performance. These institutions are today taking part in a growing drive for internal self-evaluation, arising from the desire of institutions and Education, Training and Development (ETD) practitioners to assess their own performances. Self-assessment as part of an endeavour to sustain continuous improvement is therefore also appropriate for ETD providers in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). A new defence dispensation and a changing ETD environment in South Africa have created new demands on ETD providers in the SANDF. Although training units within the SANDF may function in a unique military context, national legislation relevant to ETD and the latest approach of openness and transparency into matters of the Department imply that military as well as non-military ETD in the SANDF is to be closely aligned with national training and development initiatives. As legislation does not make a distinction between military and private ETD providers in South Africa, most traditionally assumed differences are no longer relevant. A case study explored the appropriateness of conducting organisational self-assessment as component of a Continuous Performance Improvement Strategy and Quality Assurance within the SANDF. The study also investigated the usefulness of a Total Quality Management approach to quality assurance in the ETD environment and the impact of the frameworks used, available assessment instruments and the selected assessment methods on the significance of organisational self-assessment by ETD providers. This study's investigation of the appropriateness and significance of regular organisational self-assessments by training units in the SANDF thus has broader implications, as recommendations are also applicable to other ETD providers. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Education Management)