This thesis addresses the status and role of "a citizen in crisis management", because this is a citizen who is heavily affected. The topic selection was inspired mainly by the fact that the issue of a citizen in crisis management has been neglected, only a few people are interested, there is little information available on crisis management, and citizens and their families as basic elements are not specified at all. I would love to modify the access to citizens and their families, and thereby to contribute to the improvement of emergency planning and creation of new approaches to defense, security and protection. The main objective of this thesis was to analyze, describe and define the status of citizens in crisis management. Furthermore, to examine the status of citizenship from the perspective of all parts of crisis management and to modify the view on the issue of crisis management and also to extend it by one area - the personal part of crisis management. In connection with the defined hypothesis it is very important to provide preventive education to citizens to prevent the consequences of emergencies and crisis situations. Using a survey questionnaire and additional questions the current state of preparedness of citizens to the possibility of emergency and crisis situations was investigated. The obtained data confirm the hypothesis that there are significant deficits in citizen´s preparedness for emergency or crisis situations and their knowledge of crisis management is not sufficient. In the final part the findings are described on the basis of which a project how to improve the situation is suggested, which is the proposal of prevention targeting citizens and their families. One of the ways how to achieve this purpose is to implement a wide spectrum of activities to educate the public on emergency management throughout their whole lives.

The aim of the work was to set up a model of a pre-school institution which will educate children in the way of Marie Montessori´s alternative pedagogical conception. To fulfil the main goal, a particular aim was first carried out {--} Montessori pre-school institutional practices in the Czech Republic were mapped and some photos were taken. The aim was completed by empirical data collection during visiting nine out of eleven addressed Montessori institutions and by an interview with a professional in this field. The research was realized through the open interviews with the heads or teachers of Montessori classes. Based on the data collection, the main goal, a model of Montessori institution for pre-school children,could be completed. The plan depicts the goals of this institution, a target group, legal forms, economical balance, services offered, special interest activities, methods and forms of work, personnel, operating parameters, space and material equipment together with variants of dispositions, evaluation and sustainability. Completeness and transparency of the plan, which is based on the research realized, enable to carry it out at any place in the Czech Republic. The thesis can also inspire existing Montessori institutions to make changes or innovations.

Mathematics and science form an integral part people’s daily lives. South African people suddenly find themselves on a technological highway, where mathematical, scientific and creative thinking as well as problem solving skills take centre stage. However many people fear these, and believe that they are unable to tackle them. Mathematics and science educators therefore have need to have knowledge and understanding regarding 6 the foundation of the teaching of these subjects in the intermediate and senior phases at schools. This should enable them to contribute positively towards changing people’s perceptions about these subjects. Based on the above information I felt it imperative for me to investigate the impact of shortages of maths and science educators with special reference to the Buffalo City Area. Purpose of the study: 1 To determine whether schools are able to attract and retain qualified maths and science educators, 2 To identify the quantity of quality maths and science learners schools are able to produce for tertiary education, 3 To investigate the rate of turnover of maths and science educators, 4 To identify the number of maths and science learners who are willing to study maths and science at tertiary level and thereafter join the teaching fraternity.

This research aims to explore students’ perceptions and their desired features on the use of blockchain technology for the management of education records. A literature review formed the basis of the theoretical background of this work by allowing to explore how education records are managed nowadays and the potential for the use of blockchain technology in this area, as well as the importance of user-centred design in order to achieve a higher user-acceptance. A qualitative research study encompassing a focus group interview with Linnaeus University students was conducted to answer the research questions. Computer assisted thematic data analysis yielded five key themes: current usage of university education records, understanding how blockchain works, sustainability of blockchain, security of blockchain and implementation of blockchain for education records. The discussion relates the empirical findings to the theoretical background of the research. Participants were generally positive towards the use of blockchain for the management of education records and saw it as one of the potential future solutions. Nevertheless, they voiced some reservations regarding the high energy consumption, costs and security towards a possible use of the blockchain technology. Therefore, careful implementation would be needed, with increased focus on usability, solving some security and sustainability issues and ensuring a fair and transparent access model. This master thesis contributes to the current body of knowledge within informatics by empowering students to share their point of view with regards to possible development of IT solutions based on blockchain technology. As found through this master thesis research, systems for the management of educational records have an impact on person’s life long past finishing a course or a degree, affecting people’s everyday experience in many areas of life and students would like to be included in any future development discussions. Therefore, the research study provides insights which could be used in the future in two ways: firstly, to achieve a more user-centred design of education records management systems and secondly, on the students’ perception of the use of blockchain technology in this area of life.

Blockchain technology has gained ground as a method of independently and securely verifying transaction receipts of educational credentials so they can connect directly to individual digital wallets. Challenges in this transformation include the risk of dilution of value in existing credentials and the risk of duplicating structures. Internationally, several studies and pilots are ongoing. The EU is currently actively working to promote the development of digital micro-credentials with both initiatives and standards recommendations. Nationally in Sweden, government initiatives aim to bring the entire national digital infrastructure together to improve support for lifelong professional learning. Industrial stakeholders, academic education and vocational educational organizations are documented having partly overlapping, partly different needs and requirements. The purpose of this master’s thesis research is to describe the potential use of a blockchain-based ICT system for digital micro-credentials in vocational education, and what would be the desired characteristics of providing such a system from the perspective of stakeholder decision-makers on the governmental, commercial, and educational level. For this, interpretive qualitative research has been conducted. The data was collected through documents review of governmental and policy documents from the EU and Sweden, and individual interviews with seven participants among key stakeholder organizations (vocational institutions, commercial organizations, and government agencies representatives). The collected data was analyzed thematically. The analysis of the collected data was thematically structured into five themes and discussed in the context of the research aim and research question, using the proposed theoretical framework, including structuration theory.  Findings showed that challenges on the macro-level perspective dominated the potential uses and desired characteristics, explicitly the need for a solution that can bridge the gap between industry needs and formal education. The need for a technical solution that can create interoperability between different forms of micro-credentials and credentials was highlighted. A solution with the individual in focus would be a major shift that could improve individuals’ potential to plan careers, enable employers to improve recruitment processes, and strengthen the Swedish government actors in skills and educational planning on the national and regional level. The key to these uses would be the ability to build trust between parties and connect such a technological solution to existing structures such as the European Qualification Framework’s Swedish implementation (SeQF). The research contributes theoretically by adding to the rather limited research on blockchain use for micro-credentials in education, and practically by presenting the context and landscape of the Swedish system of vocational education and training in relation to the potential use of digital micro-credentials.

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary aim of the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is to make a positive contribution towards maximum employee productivity and effectiveness in the workplace. Various organisations implemented EAP, but the achievement of aims and objectives need to be investigated in order to ascertain whether the service is successful. In order to achieve the latter, the present study was therefore designed with the primary aim of evaluating the effectiveness of the EAP services in the Free State Department of Education, Motheo District. In order for the DoE to comply with legislation they need to ensure that there is adequate provision of human and capital resources. Employees should be knowledgeable on the content of policy guidelines and procedures to promote utilisation. Accessibility of the programme will depend on the restructuring of EAP section from a sub section to a Directorate. Appropriate structure can make the EAP section effective. Staffing, competency, integration and early identification can be dealt with if the DoE can employ personnel with appropriate skills. Confidentiality and the Model through which EAP service is rendered is a challenge in the DoE as it influences utilisation of EAP services. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die primêre doel van die Werknemersondersteuningsprogram (WOP) is om 'n positiewe bydrae tot maksimale werknemer-produktiwiteit en -effektiwiteit in die werkplek te lewer. Verskeie organisasies het die WOP geïmplementeer, maar ten einde vas te stel of die diens suksesvol was, moet die bereiking van doelstellings en doelwitte ondersoek word. Ten einde laasgenoemde te vermag, is die huidige studie dus ontwerp met die primêre doel om die effektiwiteit van die WOP-dienste in die Vrystaatse Onderwysdepartment, Motheo-distrik te evalueer. Die Onderwysdepartement moet, wetgewing nakom deur te verseker dat voldoende menslike en kapitaalhulpbronne beskikbaar gestel word. Ten einde verbruik te bevorder behoort werknemers goed ingelig te wees met betrekking tot die inhoud van beleidsriglyne en -prosedure. Toegankilikheid tot die program sal van die herstrukturering van die WOP afdeling van 'n onderafdeling tot 'n Direktoraat afhang. Toepaslike strukture kan die WOP-afdeling effektief maak. Personeeltoewysing, bevoegdheid, integrasie en vroeë identifisering kan hanteer word indien die Onderwysdepartement personeel aanstel wat oor die toepaslike vaardighede beskik. Vertroulikheid en die Model waarvolgens die WOP-diens bedryf word, bied 'n uitdaging in die Onderwysdepartement aangesien dit die verbruik van WOP-dienste beïnvloed.

本論文緣起於本研究者積三十年於醫學教育之教學、研究、服務及醫院臨床經驗之心得，透過近年於國立政治大學商學院EMBA策略管理課程之學習，乃試以北醫大為個案實例，探討大學教學醫院與醫學院資源互惠之最適經營策略，並嘗試提出可能之最適經營模式。 基於管理哲學之建立，首在掌握探討經營目標之界定，運用可能之資源，判別環境之變化，而採取最適經營策略，進而提出最適經營模式。而本研究者，以商學院之理論基礎，檢測台北醫學大學附屬教學醫院之教育目標及使命，深受近年台灣醫學、醫藥之嚴峻挑戰與變遷，以及政府健保政策等之鉅變下，所擁有之有限醫學教育教學資源，必須與現有醫學院系之資源，有所調整與互惠運用之經營策略，故本研究者以近距離觀察，與獨有之醫學教學及臨床實務任務，作此研究，貢獻予台灣各大學教學醫院與醫學院資源互惠之經營策略參考。 關鍵詞：大學教學醫院、醫學院、醫學教育目標及使命、資源互惠、最適經營模式、調整與互惠運用、經營策略 / A study to develop effective cooperation and beneficial collaboration in resources between teaching hospitals and medical schools- a case study of Taipei Medical University Hospital This paper seeks to explore ways through which medical schools and teaching hospitals can better share their medical educational resources. With his thirty odd years of teaching and clinical experience in both Taipei Medical University and the university hospital, coupled with his EMBA structural and management learning, the author plans to develop an effective model drawing on both business management theories and his personal familiarity with the hospital management climate. With a current scarcity in medical education resources, caused by reasons ranging from the government’s recent instatement of the medical care program to the newest wave of changes in medical ethics in Taiwan, the author proposes that Taipei Medical University and its teaching hospital must re-distribute and re-organize the current model with which teaching resources is deployed if it wishes to uphold its vision of educating well-rounded young doctor. To successfully re-invent an effective model, the author proposes to employ a business management approach. According to the basic philosophy of management, a successful model must be established with a firm objective for the institution, an honest evaluation of the institution’s available resources, and careful observation of the current climate of the market. These principles would be the building blocks in the current paper for the development of an efficient model for medical education resource allocation. The following research spans a period of six years, from 2001 to 2007. Done with strict scientific methods, the research aims to provide solutions for medical school and teaching hospitals in Taiwan a better way to allocate medical education resources, and ultimately contribute to the future advancement of medical education and management in Taiwan. Key word：medical school 、teaching hospitals、medical educational resources、effective cooperation and beneficial collaboration in resources、medical education and management、efficient model

<p>Глобализација светске привреде довела је да је квалитет постао приоритетан фактор у борби са конкуренцијом за опстанак на тржишту. Квалитет се дефинише као скуп особина, карактеристика производа, робе, услуга, рада, изазивајући њихову способност да задовоље потребе и захтеве потрошача у складу са циљем и њиховим очекивањима. Због потребе привреде за радном снагом која ће бити компетента да производи производе који ће задовољити потребе и жеље купаца, све су израженији захтеви за квалитетом у стручном образовању. Основу за оцену квалитета образовног процеса чине образовни исходи који обухватају знања, способности вештие и ставове ученика који се стичу кроз формално образовање у школама. Квалитетно образовање не би требало посматрати као процес потрошње него као процес интгеракције између наставника и ученика. Образовање мора имати за циљ давање ученицима прилика за лични развој и поверење да ће се прилагодити новим ситуацијама да ће их променити ако то буду сматрали потребним. Образовање никад не може бити неутралан процес; увек ће бити базиран на вредности. Равнотежа између објективних чињеница и испитивање тих чињеница представља велик изазов за професионалног наставника (<a href="http://www.ei-ie-org">www.ei-ie-org</a>).</p><p>На квалитет образовних исхода средњег стручног образовања утичу разни фактори међу којима су: наставници са својим компетенцијама, менаџмент школа, наставни планови и програми, материјални ресурси.</p><p>За истраживање утицаја поменутих фактора, констурисан је упитник за директоре, наставнике, ученике, родитеље и привреднике којим је вршено прикупљање податак у узорку. Смањење количине података вршено је помоћу факторске анализе у SPSS Statistics 17, односно, извршили смо издвајање најмањег броја фактора који добро представљају међувезе у скупу променљивих из помоћ:</p><p>- анализе главних фактора (Кајзеров критеријум),</p><p>- факторизације слике (дијаграм одрона,&nbsp; engl.scree тест),</p><p>- паралелне анализе (користећи програм MONTE CARLO PCA for PARALLEL ANALYSIS),</p><p>- оцене прикладности података за факторску анализу (Бартлетов тест сферичности и Кајзер-Мајер-Олкинов-КМО показатељ адекватности узорка).</p><p>У обради података и доказивању галавне и помоћних хипотеза &nbsp;коришћене су основне статистичке методе:</p><p>1. дексриптивна статистика,</p><p>2. непараметарски тест:</p><p>-Колмогоров-Смирновљев тест нормалности дистрибуције</p><p>-HI квадрат тест</p><p>3. графички приказ резултата статистичке обраде.</p><p>Резултати истраживања су показали да квалитет средњег стручног образовања зависи од наставног кадра, менаџмента школа, модуларних наставних планова и програма и материјалних ресурса. Да квалитет средњег стручног образовања утиче на повећање нивоа производње, доказ је изведен на основу резултата истраживања које је проведено међу привредницима.</p><p>Даља истраживања у области квалитета средњег стручног образовања треба усмерити на: компетенције наставника, компетенције менаџмента, корелације опремљености школа са успехом ученика, утицај модуларних наставних планова и програма из појединачних предмета, смањење оптерећења ученика, сарадње школе и предузећа на утврђивању програмских садржаја практичне наставе, мотивације наставника и менаџмента школа за квалитетан рад и постизање резултата којима ће бити задовољни сви корисници.</p> / <p>Globalizacija svetske privrede dovela je da je kvalitet postao prioritetan faktor u borbi sa konkurencijom za opstanak na tržištu. Kvalitet se definiše kao skup osobina, karakteristika proizvoda, robe, usluga, rada, izazivajući njihovu sposobnost da zadovolje potrebe i zahteve potrošača u skladu sa ciljem i njihovim očekivanjima. Zbog potrebe privrede za radnom snagom koja će biti kompetenta da proizvodi proizvode koji će zadovoljiti potrebe i želje kupaca, sve su izraženiji zahtevi za kvalitetom u stručnom obrazovanju. Osnovu za ocenu kvaliteta obrazovnog procesa čine obrazovni ishodi koji obuhvataju znanja, sposobnosti veštie i stavove učenika koji se stiču kroz formalno obrazovanje u školama. Kvalitetno obrazovanje ne bi trebalo posmatrati kao proces potrošnje nego kao proces intgerakcije između nastavnika i učenika. Obrazovanje mora imati za cilj davanje učenicima prilika za lični razvoj i poverenje da će se prilagoditi novim situacijama da će ih promeniti ako to budu smatrali potrebnim. Obrazovanje nikad ne može biti neutralan proces; uvek će biti baziran na vrednosti. Ravnoteža između objektivnih činjenica i ispitivanje tih činjenica predstavlja velik izazov za profesionalnog nastavnika (<a href="http://www.ei-ie-org">www.ei-ie-org</a>).</p><p>Na kvalitet obrazovnih ishoda srednjeg stručnog obrazovanja utiču razni faktori među kojima su: nastavnici sa svojim kompetencijama, menadžment škola, nastavni planovi i programi, materijalni resursi.</p><p>Za istraživanje uticaja pomenutih faktora, konsturisan je upitnik za direktore, nastavnike, učenike, roditelje i privrednike kojim je vršeno prikupljanje podatak u uzorku. Smanjenje količine podataka vršeno je pomoću faktorske analize u SPSS Statistics 17, odnosno, izvršili smo izdvajanje najmanjeg broja faktora koji dobro predstavljaju međuveze u skupu promenljivih iz pomoć:</p><p>- analize glavnih faktora (Kajzerov kriterijum),</p><p>- faktorizacije slike (dijagram odrona,&nbsp; engl.scree test),</p><p>- paralelne analize (koristeći program MONTE CARLO PCA for PARALLEL ANALYSIS),</p><p>- ocene prikladnosti podataka za faktorsku analizu (Bartletov test sferičnosti i Kajzer-Majer-Olkinov-KMO pokazatelj adekvatnosti uzorka).</p><p>U obradi podataka i dokazivanju galavne i pomoćnih hipoteza &nbsp;korišćene su osnovne statističke metode:</p><p>1. deksriptivna statistika,</p><p>2. neparametarski test:</p><p>-Kolmogorov-Smirnovljev test normalnosti distribucije</p><p>-HI kvadrat test</p><p>3. grafički prikaz rezultata statističke obrade.</p><p>Rezultati istraživanja su pokazali da kvalitet srednjeg stručnog obrazovanja zavisi od nastavnog kadra, menadžmenta škola, modularnih nastavnih planova i programa i materijalnih resursa. Da kvalitet srednjeg stručnog obrazovanja utiče na povećanje nivoa proizvodnje, dokaz je izveden na osnovu rezultata istraživanja koje je provedeno među privrednicima.</p><p>Dalja istraživanja u oblasti kvaliteta srednjeg stručnog obrazovanja treba usmeriti na: kompetencije nastavnika, kompetencije menadžmenta, korelacije opremljenosti škola sa uspehom učenika, uticaj modularnih nastavnih planova i programa iz pojedinačnih predmeta, smanjenje opterećenja učenika, saradnje škole i preduzeća na utvrđivanju programskih sadržaja praktične nastave, motivacije nastavnika i menadžmenta škola za kvalitetan rad i postizanje rezultata kojima će biti zadovoljni svi korisnici.</p> / <p>Globalization of the world economy has brought about the fact that the quality is a<br />priority factor in the competition for the survival on the market. The quality is defined<br />as a collection of features, characteristics of products, goods, services, work, which challenges their capacities to meet the needs and the demands of the consumers in accordance with the goal and their expectations.<br />Because of the needs of the economy for labour forces, that are competent to produce products which would meet the needs and desires of buyers, the demands for the quality in the vocational education have become prominet. The assesment of the quality of the educational process is based on the educational results which comprise knowledge, abilities, skills and attitudes of students, which are required<br />through formal education in schools. A high quality education should not be viewed<br />as a process of consumption but as a process of interaction between teachers and students. The educational goal should be to provide opportunities for the students for their personal developement and for boosting their confidence that they would be able to adjust to new situations, and that they would be able to change such situations, if necessary. The education can never be a neutral process; it is<br />always based on values. The balance between objective facts and the examination of these facts represents a big challenge for a professional teacher (www.ei-ie.org).<br />The quality of educational results in the secondary vocational education is affected by<br />various factors, some of which are: teachers with their competences, management of<br />schools, educational curricula and programmes, material resources. For the purposes of research of the impacts and of the abovementioned factors, a questionnaire was designed for schoolmasters, teachers, students, parents and businessmen, through which a collection of data in the sample was<br />made. The reduction of the quantity of the data is conducted by means of factor analysis in SPSS Statistics 17, i.e., the extracting of the smallest number of factors was done, which represents well the interrelations in the collection of variables by means of: Analysis of major factors (Kajzer&#39;s<br />criterion), Factorization of the picture (screen test), Parallel analyses (programme used: Monte Carlo PCA for Parallel Analysis), The assessments of the adequacy of the data for the factor analysis (Bartlet test of specification and Kajzer-Majer-Olikin -<br />KMO indicator of the sample adequacy) For the data processing and in proving the main hypothesis as well as the auxilliary hypotheses, two basic statistical methods were used:<br />1. Descriptive statistics<br />2. Non-parameter test:<br />1. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test of the normality of the distribution<br />2. HI-square test<br />3. Graphic representation of the results of the statistical processing.<br />The results of the research have shown that the quality of the secondary vocational education depends on the teaching staff, school management, modular educational curricula and programmes and material resources.<br />For the fact that the quality of the secondary vocational education affects the increase of the level of production, the evidence was deducted on the basis of the results of the research which was conducted among businesmen. Further researches in the area of the quality of the secondary vocational education should be focused on: competences of teachers, competences of the management, correlation between the level of equipment of a school and the achievemtents of students, the impact of<br />modular educational curricula and programmes of individual subjects, reduction of the encumbrance of students, co-operation of schools and companies on defining the content of the programme of practical education, motivation of teachers and of the management of schools for a high qulity work and for achieving results with which all the beneficiaries will be satisfied.</p>

In Scotland, further education colleges provide 28% of all higher education; this includes over half of part-time undergraduate higher education. This provision has contributed to wider participation in higher education in Scotland by “non traditional” students and to progress towards a mass system of higher education within a learning society. This thesis is a case study of higher education students in a Scottish further education college. It explores the nature of the students’ experience and its relevance to institutional management and higher education policy. Evidence is drawn from the college’s records, from focus groups and from a questionnaire survey of whole year groups (full-time and part-time students) over three successive years. The theoretical focus is upon a new definition of lifelong learning as learning integrated with life, drawn from literature on motive, motivation, participation and retention. The research explores the students’ experiences of combining study with work and family life. The student experience is found to be heterogeneous, complex and distinct from the stereotype of a young full-time university student. Vocational motives predominate and there is evidence of a significant investment of meaning, expectation and purpose in the experience of higher education. The students’ ability to balance and integrate learning with life is a determining factor in the achievement of sustained participation. The quality of support networks both in college and in the students’ work and family lives are found to be more significant than personal or demographic characteristics. The case study contributes to current thinking about the professional role of college senior managers in creating a student-centred institutional culture that responds to the complexity of the students’ experience. A case is made for a review of the current inequity of financial support for full-time and part-time higher education students and of the marginal status of colleges in the development of higher education policy.

Canada and British Columbia have legislation in place to protect gays and lesbians from discrimination based on their sexual orientation. A growing number of BC school districts have policy protecting gays and lesbians. However, some gay and lesbian teachers still hide their sexual orientation. Organizational theory recognizes that formal rules do not define the organization. In-depth interviews with 13 gay and lesbian teachers indicate that they would rather not maintain their classroom closets; but that they needed to know that they would be safe coming out. The methodology followed the tradition of narrative inquiry by collecting stories. Initial recruitment was through email, print, and word-of-mouth advertising. An on-line form was used to filter prospective participants to include urban, rural, Muslim, Catholic, closeted, and politically active participants. The great silence with respect to gays and lesbians in the workforce, paired with a history of negative messages needs to be offset by the frequent and ubiquitous dissemination of positive messages.