Welcome to studies

DEAR STUDENT!

You have joined a topical program which will offer you a possibility to acquire the competences and qualities of a 21^st Century educator. Professors of the University of Latvia have prepared study courses and materials; they suggest appropriate literature and a lot of activities leading to the planned outcomes. The professors’ invite you to make inquiry teams to study together and complete investigations; and they will be happy to assist your studies and be proud for every your success.The program is challenged by the educational paradigm shift which is taking hold in many countries. New current economic reality with the dominating market relations challenges new targets of education and consequently new educational settings at tertiary institutions in the Knowledge society.  The tertiary educational institutions are being redirected from an institution of lecturing or dominating normative pedagogy to an institution of tertiary or post-graduate adult learning which provides the learners freedom to learn. The paradigm shift changes teaching and learning, assessment and planning, communication and cooperation, mutual relations and attitudes of all who are involved in the educational process. Therefore appropriate educators’ preparation is extremely topical.  The overarching target of pedagogy is to investigate and suggest practical solutions of shifting teachers’ and educators’ profession from skill of facilitating, evaluating and recognizing the learners’ knowledge to the ability of involving the learners into creating their knowledge, teaching to learn and personalization of the studies, understanding and developing critical thinking as a precondition for a successful educator of the 21^st Century. Be successful!   On behalf of the professors’ team, director of the program  Dr.habil.paed., professor Irēna Žogla 01.07.2014.