Social Sciences
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.aab-edu.net/handle/123456789/613
The Social Sciences community showcases scholarly publications and research outputs authored by faculty and researchers in the Faculty of Social Sciences. This collection includes journal articles, working papers, conference proceedings, and other academic works that contribute to the understanding of theory, policy, and practice. It aims to promote open access to high-quality economic research conducted within the institution.
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Item The Impact of Professional Practice Standards in the Professional Development and Performance Assessment of School Directors(AAB College, 2025-07-16) Bicaj, ArberoreProfessional practice standards for school directors serve as a strategic tool to train and prepare school directors, and to improve the quality of education in institutions they lead. Over the last two decades, the education sector in Kosovo has been experiencing continuous changes so that a higher quality and genuine education of new generations is achieved, and having in mind that a school director is a key factor in coordinating the processes within school institutions, there are requirements for their professional development. To verify the usage and the impact of professional practice standards in professional development practice and performance assessment of school directors, a theoretical and empirical research has been carried out with primary and lower secondary school directors (N=26) and upper secondary school directors (N=11) in Prishtina and its suburb. From data analysis resulting from the quantitative approach (N = 37) it has been confirmed that, in Kosovo, the professional practice standards are used in average by school directors. These standards are not used to the extent required as an instrument for school directors’ performance assessment, neither by themselves through self-assessment, nor by the relevant institutions responsible for evaluating the performance of directorsItem Teacher preparation reforms in Kosovo(AAB College, 2025-07-16) Bicaj, ArberoreEducation is the key supporter of society, yet at the same time it is the main challenge to hu manity and society. The need for change is incontestable in all fi elds, including that of education. Education in Kosovo has taken a long, challenging and extremely diffi cult journey. Such challenging situations are a result of the low level of economic and social development in Ko sovo. Today, education in Kosovo is considered to have made signifi cant progress as a result of fundamental reforms of the education system towards standardization to the European Union education system. This paper aims to analyze the historical, political and economic infl uence on the edu cation system in Kosovo in general and the teacher education in particular, on its course to wards implementation of the objectives of the Bologna Process and integration into the Euro pean Higher Education Area (EHEA)Item Professional development experiences and expectations for early childhood teachers in Kosovo(AAB College, 2025-07-16) Bicaj, Arberore; Buzaj, VioletaThe work of educators (early childhood teachers) with children in pre-schools, carried out through many learning and educational activities, is an important but quite complex process. This study focuses on professional development for educators that targets challenges in working with children, and aims to enhance their performance based on education policies in pre-schools. This article therefore analyses the perceptions of educators and pre-school managers about the importance of systematic professional development for improving educators’ performance, as regulated by standard 5 of the General Standards of Pre-school Education in Kosovo (ages 3-6) (MEST, 2006). The research is based on data collected through quantitative surveys with educators (N=113) and interviews with 6 pre-school directors. By identifying the importance of professional development for standards in pre-school education, impact will be achieved by raising awareness among staff within pre-schools about improving their performance and achieving successful outcomes for childrenItem Performance observation of qualified teachers in the In-Service Teacher Qualification program(AAB College, 2025-07-16) Bicaj, ArberoreReform of the education system, among other things, includes improving teacher performance, and consequently raising the quality of teaching in the classroom. To achieve this aim, we need consistently qualified and professionally developed teachers. In – Service Teacher Qualification program is one of the programs that offer such an opportunity, which differs from organized training programs for teachers in Kosovo. It leads to the establishment of the qualification, and improvement of quality of teaching through formal learning. The aim of this paper is to measure performance indications of program attendees, through classroom observation, based on a document drafted by the National Council for Teacher Licensing and the Administrative Instruction (AI) of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) for the teacher performance evaluation. At the same time, the paper aims to identify differences in the performance of qualified teachers on the program, with those of 2 year higher pedagogical School qualified teachers. Results of the study will be helpful, and will be used by policy makers to identify the advantages and disadvantages of professional development programs, through success of qualified teachers at workItem Cooperation of preschool institutions with parents toward early childhood education(AAB College, 2025-07-16) Bicaj, ArberorePreschool education, especially institutionalized preschool education, is exceptional for early childhood. In this context, cooperation with the parents is considered vital for children‟s education. Very often, parents are not aware of their fundamental role in their children‟s education and development, through different ways of cooperation. This research addresses the partnership between parents and preschool institutions (hereafter: PSI), and the relation of this partnership with factors such as communication, school environment, parents transferring their professional experience to children, and parents' access to preschool education curricula and policies, all of which serve to improving children‟s early education. The research is carried out through a quantitative approach with parents (N=60) and a qualitative approach with educators, examining the challenges and needs for the improvement of this cooperation, as well as the role and the opportunities of both parties towards the realization of a more effective cooperation. Research findings prove that identifying forms and agents of cooperation with parents does have the positive influence on strengthening the triangle preschool institution / family / community and in increasing the level of awareness of parents and preschool institutions on benefits from such co-operationItem Preschool Educators’ preparation on Child Assessment based on Relevant Instruments according to Official Documents(AAB College, 2025-07-16) Bicaj, Arberore; Buzaj, VioletaThis paper examines the preparation of educators for their planned and carried forms of assessment in the classroom with children aged 5-6 years in preschool institutions and preparatory classes. Moreover, the paper arguments the cooperation that educators maintain with parents to achieve the development of children and to convey information about their progress or stagnation. The purpose of this study is to understand whether educators are prepared to conduct assessment based on the needs and interests of children through various evaluation instruments, systematic monitoring and application of different methods during daily activities. The results of the study are based on the quantitative method - survey with educators (N = 150 questionnaires) and the qualitative method, 5 observations of evaluation instruments by 20 educators from different kindergartens, 6 individual interviews with educators and 2 interviews with headmasters. The results depict the views and preparation of educators in the field of early childhood assessment, as well as their approach on how to observe children and inform parents about their children's progress and stagnation.Item Pre-Service Teachers’ Online Learning Experience – Challenges and Lessons Learned(AAB College, 2025-07-16) Bicaj, ArberoreThis study aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the professional growth of pre-service teachers in adapting to virtual learning. It examines the experiences of 421 University of Prishtina pre-service teachers using a mixed-methods approach. Despite technical challenges, the results indicate increased peer collaboration. The study emphasizes the importance of raising the quality of online education in order to better prepare for emergencies in the future.Item The Effect of Teacher Professional Development in Raising the Quality of Teaching(AAB College, 2025-07-16) Bicaj, ArberoreThe role and importance of life-long learning as part of a teacher's qualification is unquestionable, in particular in terms of the teachers’ personal and professional development, as well as in promoting the school image, improving teacher performance, and enhancing the quality of teaching. Kosovo is still going through a process of transition. Every day new reforms are being introduced. Most of these efforts, such as the new competence based Curriculum Framework, focus in developing education in general; others are more specific and aim, for instance, at improving teachers' professional development. The latter is a very sensitive and critically important area that requires attention and commitment. In this regard, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, in collaboration with various non-profit, governmental and international organizations, have organized numerous professional trainings for teachers in Kosovo. The programme of teacher training sessions, offered in partnership with the University of Pristina, is called the In-Service Teacher Qualification programme1. In this paper we have analyzed the training programmes offered to the teachers of Kosova, surveying the effects and benefits of professional advancement on creating new knowledge and improving the quality of teaching. The survey results have verified the main hypothesis regarding the effect of professional development in raising the quality of teaching, but they have not verified completely auxiliary hypothesis which views (considers) the program as a mechanism to meet the professional development needs of teachersItem Theoretical Approaches vs. Teacher as a Role Model Towards Language Learning(AAB College, 2025-07-16) Bicaj, Arberore; Shala, ArifEveryone learns a foreign language in their own way, but generally it is never considered to be very easy. The way a foreign language is taught is a significantly important area of academic research. This paper tries to identify the ways in which a foreign language can be most easily learned in order to identify the best strategies. Acknowledging the global impact of the English language, this paper explores the theoretical approaches, starting from the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) approach and the Task-based approach. Also considered is the role of the teacher as a model in language learning. Therefore, in order to reach conclusions, foreign language learning has been approached on a theoretical level by examining the international literature. In this way, a compilation of the literature has been produced and analyzed in order to fulfill the purpose of this researchItem Exploring In-Service Science Teachers’ Self-Perceptions of Competence and Pedagogical Approaches to Socioscientific Issues in Education(AAB College, 2025-07-16) Bicaj, ArberoreGlobal education experts are increasingly prioritizing scientific literacy development. Science education is key to enhancing scientific literacy, fostering social responsibility, and supporting economic growth by equipping individuals with essential scientific knowledge and skills. In the past two decades, socioscientific issues (SSI) have greatly influenced science education research, improving students’ ability to apply scientific knowledge in real-world contexts and advancing functional scientific literacy. Given the strong evidence that socioscientific issues (SSI) enhance scientific literacy and social responsibility skills, understanding SSI role in science education is crucial for developing countries aiming to boost economic and social growth. This research aimed to understand the in-service science teacher’s self-perception, knowledge, and experiences, as well as the benefits and challenges of integrating socioscientific issues into education. This qualitative research analysis employed a thematic analysis approach to research and data analysis from the responses of 54 in-service science teachers. All participants responded to the online open-ended questionnaire, which consisted of open-ended questions. The results highlight that in-service science. teachers face challenges such as inadequate school environments, social pressures, and limited professional support, all of which hinder effective teaching of socioscientific issues. Furthermore, most of the in-service science teacher participants in the study were unaware of SSI, which suggests that there is a need for targeted professional development. The research suggests that it is crucial to address these challenges and enhance the knowledge and understanding of in-service science teachers regarding SSI to facilitate curriculum reform and the overarching goal of promoting citizens’ educational and economic development.