Value and character education possess the inherent building blocks for the preservation of a healthy society. It is the art of life that keeps the environment friendly, free and safe allowing earth's inhabitants to play, to live and to work in peace. Value and character education possess values that remove evil from society and institutions such as schools, colleges, universities, etc. One of the primary aims of value and character education is to allow learners to experience life at its' fullest. The main purpose of this study is the development of an effective character building program for a specific further education and training college. It is obvious from the available literature that society is experiencing a crisis regarding values, character and morality. The decline of human and societal values portrayed in the media has compelled the current government to initiate a value educational program in schools. The values of the government however, are focused on nation building, democracy and human rights with the purpose of overcoming the inequalities and injustices of the apartheid system. However, the inhabitants of South Africa seek more than aspects based on democracy, nation building and human rights. They seek values that promote moral behaviour, values of work ethics and values that are aimed at developing their full potential. Value and character education could probably ensure the provision of a successful life and future for today's youth. The researcher has therefore investigated and analysed the precise meanings of the following terms: values, norms, principles, standards, ethics, character education, values education. Various character educational programs that succeeded in oversees countries were also studied. Focus was also given to educational guidelines including principles, outcomes and promising practices that the lecturer could use in the classroom to stimulate the students and to promote character education. To determine what the present value orientation of the students are, a questionnaire was compiled for further education and training colleges in the North-West Province. To ascertain the opinions and contributions of values education and character education, semi-structured interviews were held with the student council, the head of the support services and an official of the student support services. The overall aim of the study is: To create a character-building program for further education and training colleges after establishing the value orientation of the students. This empirical research has pointed out specific problem areas and has shown that it is not only essential but also urgent to implement a value and character educational program for further education and training colleges. Guidelines for such a program have been set on the basis of this study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

The goal of the thesis is describing the value orientation of young people from the socially and culturally disadvantaged surroundings. The thesis is theoretical and empirical and it has a qualitative character. The research pattern are young people who are visiting a low- threshold facility for children and teenagers. We are describing the issue of the age of young people, conception of values, evaluation process, classification of values, value orientation, education to values, moral development of human, socially and culturally disadvantaged surroundings, family, peer groups and the low-threshold facility for children and teenagers in the theoretical part. There was performed an analysis of the value orientation of the selected group of respondents based on the data from semi-structured interview in practical part. The results of research shows that the part of the value orientation of the young people is the family, life in prosperity, free time, education, friends, interest activities, love, surroundings, make own family and responsibility. These parts characterize what is important, valuable and necessary for the respondents.

Changes in reproductive behaviour within the second demographic transition in the selected european countries Abstract The aim of this work is to analyze the changes in reproductive behavior within the second demographic transition in five countries of Europe. The Czech Republic, Estonia, The Netherlands, Finland and Portugal were selected. Each of them represents one of trajectories of the second demographic transition in the European region. Within theoretical concept of the second demographic transition the research of cultural factors was particularly stressed as they are considered to be the main factors of stimulation of the changes. Attention was focused on the analysis of value orientation of selected populations using data of the European Values Study (EVS) and the International Social Survey (ISSP). Analysis of reproductive behavior in those countries was included as well. It was found out, that changes in value orientation in the post-communistic countries couldn't have been the only determinant of changes in reproductive behavior. Moreover, the value change has been still taking place even in the countries where the second demographic transition started three or four decades ago. The European-wide mechanism of the differentiation in value orientations has been identified. The holders of liberal...

Les orientations de valeur (OV) désignent « l’ensemble des principes du vrai ou du faux qui sont acceptés par un individu ou un groupe social » (Jewett et Bain, 1985, p. 14). Dans le domaine de l’éducation, elles guident les enseignants dans leurs choix didactiques et pédagogiques. En éducation physique et sportive (ÉPS), cinq OV ont été identifiées dans la littérature : la maîtrise de la discipline, le processus d’apprentissage, l’auto-actualisation, la responsabilisation sociale et l’intégration écologique. Notre analyse des travaux sur la mise en œuvre des OV a permis de souligner le peu de connaissances produites sur le rôle des OV dans la pratique d’enseignement. Pour saisir la dynamique qui s’opère entre OV et pratique d’enseignement, nous avons élaboré un modèle d’action mobilisant à la fois le concept des OV et celui de pratique d’enseignement. Ce modèle part de la pratique d’enseignement dans le but d’identifier les OV sous-jacentes privilégiées par les enseignants à partir des caractéristiques de cette pratique.L'objectif de cette recherche est d’identifier les dimensions de la pratique d’enseignement d’un enseignant d’ÉPS susceptibles d’être influencées par ses OV privilégiées. Pour cela, nous cherchons à caractériser son modèle d’action. Pour répondre à cet objectif, nous avons conduit une recherche qualitative s’inscrivant dans une approche inductive. Elle se décline sous la forme de deux études de cas. La collecte des données a été conduite auprès de deux enseignantes d’ÉPS du secondaire sur un cycle d’enseignement à l’aide d’un questionnaire, d’entretiens et d’observations. Les données collectées ont été analysées à l’aide de statistiques descriptives et d’analyses de contenu thématique.Les résultats obtenus ont permis d’illustrer la mise en œuvre singulière des OV de la maîtrise de la discipline (Coline) et de l’auto-actualisation (Sandrine). À partir de ces illustrations, nous avons dégagé la manière dont chacune des deux OV influençait les étapes pré-active, interactive et post-active de la pratique d’enseignement. Nous avons également montré que le profil d’OV de chacun de nos cas agissait comme une grille de lecture pour lire et interpréter leur environnement éducatif mais aussi pour orienter leur pratique effective d’enseignement en cohérence avec leurs OV privilégiées. Cette recherche alimente les travaux menés sur la mise en œuvre des OV. Notre contribution a des retombées aux plans de la formation initiale et de la formation continue des enseignants d’ÉPS / Values orientation (VO) represents teachers’ educational beliefs. They are implemented through curricular decisions made by physical education (PE) teachers. In PE research literature, five VO have been identified: disciplinary mastery, learning process, self-actualization, social responsibility and ecological integration. We know little about how teachers’ VO influences their teaching process. Although teachers’ VO can be described, it’s still a challenge to explain how they play out in their daily decision-making and practices. In order to understand the influence of teachers’ VO in the teaching process, we designed a teaching model. This model integrates those perspectives on value orientations and teaching practice. It focuses on teaching practices in order to understand underneath teachers’ VO and how these VO affect teaching practice back.The goal of this research is to underlined features of teaching practice influenced by teachers’ VO through a deep description of teaching model. We used a qualitative research design with inductive approach. This research was conducted with two participants. Data were collected with the help of a questionnaire, repeated interviews and deferred video observations. Informed consent was obtained prior to data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (questionnaire and video) and thematic content analysis (interviews).Data revealed that Coline’s mastery disciplinary and Sandrine’s self-actualization value orientations influence their teaching practices in pre-intervention, intervention and post-intervention. We showed they used their own values orientation to selecting and understanding their educational environment and also to define their teaching making process. These results contribute to develop knowledge about the influence of value orientations in professional practices in PE teaching and development of PE teachers.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Value and character education possess the inherent building blocks for the preservation of a healthy society. It is the art of life that keeps the environment friendly, free and safe allowing earth's inhabitants to play, to live and to work in peace. Value and character education possess values that remove evil from society and institutions such as schools, colleges, universities, etc. One of the primary aims of value and character education is to allow learners to experience life at its' fullest. The main purpose of this study is the development of an effective character building program for a specific further education and training college. It is obvious from the available literature that society is experiencing a crisis regarding values, character and morality. The decline of human and societal values portrayed in the media has compelled the current government to initiate a value educational program in schools. The values of the government however, are focused on nation building, democracy and human rights with the purpose of overcoming the inequalities and injustices of the apartheid system. However, the inhabitants of South Africa seek more than aspects based on democracy, nation building and human rights. They seek values that promote moral behaviour, values of work ethics and values that are aimed at developing their full potential. Value and character education could probably ensure the provision of a successful life and future for today's youth. The researcher has therefore investigated and analysed the precise meanings of the following terms: values, norms, principles, standards, ethics, character education, values education. Various character educational programs that succeeded in oversees countries were also studied. Focus was also given to educational guidelines including principles, outcomes and promising practices that the lecturer could use in the classroom to stimulate the students and to promote character education. To determine what the present value orientation of the students are, a questionnaire was compiled for further education and training colleges in the North-West Province. To ascertain the opinions and contributions of values education and character education, semi-structured interviews were held with the student council, the head of the support services and an official of the student support services. The overall aim of the study is: To create a character-building program for further education and training colleges after establishing the value orientation of the students. This empirical research has pointed out specific problem areas and has shown that it is not only essential but also urgent to implement a value and character educational program for further education and training colleges. Guidelines for such a program have been set on the basis of this study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

This thesis deals with the value orientation of students of the Faculty of Theology the University of South Bohemia in Budweis in their leisure time. Firstly, there are explained the basic concepts, which are followed by a detailed overview of particular value concepts to their philosophical, sociological, pedagogical and psychological perspective. Furthermore, the classification values of the selected authors, roles of values and their importance in human life and society are presented in this thesis. Last but not least is this thesis focused on the researches of value orientations in both Czech and foreign literature. There is a chapter elaborated about the leisure time, its concepts, definitions of selected authors, functions of leisure time and its role in socioscientific contexts at the conclusion of the theory part. The main aim of the research is to describe and analyze the value orientation of students of the Faculty of Theology the University of South Bohemia in Budweis in their leisure time. The data obtained from a non-standardized questionnaire will be compared by gender, the age of students and their years of study at the Theological Faculty. Eventually, will be the evaluation and recomendation made for the use in practise.

This thesis focuses on students´ activities related to social participation in leisure time and information sources where they get information about courses of events in society. These activities are associated with residence in two chosen boarding houses Boarding house belonging to grammar school, secondary school of economics and secondary training school in Kaplice and boarding house and school canteen in Holečkova street in České Budějovice. This thesis includes tutors´ opinions on students´ social involvement in their leisure time. Theoretical part of this thesis defines youth in current society, characterizes students´ leisure time culture, their attitude to social participation and it also describes the impact of value orientation on development of both their personality and environment. This part also describes youth´s lifestyle in information society and there are described basic characteristics of boarding houses, tutor´s personality and his part within the process of youth´s participation in society. The last chapter of theoretical part introduces chosen education approaches based on training leading to youth´s participation and there is stated their influence on individual lifelong and social impact. Experimental part defines research task, research questions and defines hypothesis. It is followed by question-forms assessment that were filled in by students and tutors and assessment of defined hypothesis. There are discussed results of the research in the end of this thesis.

Problem: The problems of values have been in the forefront of human interest since ancient philosophy. Due to the serious nature of this topic it is not a surprise that values are presently the focus of nearly all social sciences (psychology, economics, sociology, anthropology, ethnology etc.). However, value orientation in seniors still represents a relatively not very explored area. In this respect, the value orientation of seniors in relation to sport and the barriers inhibiting their participation in locomotion activities in particular is a topical issue in the light of the present-day demographical development in the developed countries. Hypothesis: We presume that we find relationships between the value orientation of a selected senior population and their degree of participation in locomotion activities, the type of locomotion activities and socio-demographic characteristics. We also presume that we find relationships between the value orientation of a selected senior population and their subjective perception of barriers limiting or inhibiting seniors' involvement in locomotion activities. Objective: The objective of a descriptive analytic research study is to identify the value orientation and barriers limiting or inhibiting sporting activity in sporting and non-sporting seniors. Method: A...

The thesis talks about the interests of young school age children and teenagers in the context with the value orientation and the use of free time. The goal is to show some interests of the two age groups, which are typical due to the age of these children. Further the thesis focuses on the institution of ``Dům dětí a mládeže Pelhřimov{\crqq}, as an example of an organization, which offers many free time activity for school children. By means of such activity this institution not only motivates young people to develop their interests, but it also contributes to valuable free time spending. The researches that are mentioned in the thesis are focused on the chosen age groups. There is also a part describing a project: ,,Není nám to jedno (We do care),`` which is appointed to both of the chosen age groups and its task is to find out ways of free time spending of school children in the Czech Republic. The research shows the importance of public media in the life of young people. Therefore the last chapter is dedicated to the media and their influence on the free time of school children. Both the positive and the negative influence are shown.