Aspiring for competence in a multifaceted everyday life:A qualitative study of adult students’experiences of a blended learning master programme in Norway

Aim:To gain knowledge of how adult students experienced the first year of a blended learning master programme to better understand their learning process.Methods:A qualitative,exploratory,descriptive study based on data from two focus group interviews with students attending a blended learning Master programme.Qualitative content analysis based on Graneheim and Lundman’s procedures was applied.Findings:Our analyses revealed one main theme:aspiring for competence in a multifaceted everyday life and four main categories:acquiring professional competence,struggling to manage diverse forms of communication,demanding task juggling and confused student role.Conclusions:The participants experienced that the programme enabled them to acquire professional competence relevant to practice.Despite the challenges,the programme is recommended for prospective students who live in both urban and rural areas,who are working and also responsible for children and other family tasks.

＂Everything About You Is Vampiric＂： Vampirism as a Metaphor for Adolescent Maturation in M. T. Anderson＇s Thirsty

Over the past few years, vampire genre has populated young adult （YA） literature. YA literature can be defined as narratives about the individual growth and maturation of adolescent protagonist. Adolescence is the bridging process of growing from childhood to adulthood. Furthermore, it is a turbulent time of rapid physical growth and sexual development. It also creates a critical phase in the formation of identity. In this paper, the author shall identify the ways in which representation of adolescence in an American contemporary young adult novel, Anderson＇s Thirsty （2008）, reflects and shapes the maturation of its young protagonist. The author argues that the transformation of vampire in the novel works as a metaphor for the various changes and maturation process experienced by the protagonist in the novel. Furthermore, the author＇s discussion will be preceded by a short history of vampire narrative. The author＇s analysis is supported by psychological theories of adolescence and socio-cultural approach which focuses on the ambiguities of adolescents＇ identity. Moreover, this paper alludes a psychoanalytic reading of the symbolism of the vampire which refers to Freud＇s notions of libido and death drive The conclusion of this paper is that Anderson＇s Thirsty is a paranormal novel which positions the implied readers to understand the trials of an adolescent protagonist during his difficult time of transition from childhood to adulthood.

The Model of Open and Distance Learning for Teaching Indonesian Through Socio-Cultural Approach and Psychological Aspects to Students of Indonesian for Foreign

This study aims to find out the effect of the model of ODL （Open and Distance Learning） for teaching Indonesian for foreign and whether this model of ODL implements socio-cultural and psychological approaches. The students＇ learning of Indonesian for foreign is in so many aspects that it must be considered from both psychological aspects of students＇ language and cultural aspects. The research was carried out on foreign students＇ studying Indonesian language. The research method used action research. ODL model developed this concerning how the students are anxious in foreign language learning and language use in accordance with Indonesian culture. The model of ODL for teaching foreign Indonesian uses the Internet facilities such as email, Skype, VolP, Google Talk, circulating document with comments, chat, forum, CD, audio-video, stream media player, and e-learning system. Based on the results of this study which is that students study the model ODL for teaching Indonesian through socio-cultural approach and psychological aspects and students of Indonesian for foreign improve their ability to use the Indonesian language, students are able to converse fluently in Indonesian in accordance with Indonesian culture

Diverse Universe： The Law of Equity

Peaceful living has become increasingly difficult to attain in today’s world of globalization, modernization, mechanization, and competition for existing resources on all levels. Conflicts and violence are intensified due to population explosion, food insecurity, climate change, ecological and economic disaster, political and religious differences, and wars over territories and scarce resources. Additionally, health concerns are increasing, which can be partially linked to our current chemical-oriented agricultural and industrial practices. Furthermore, diverse life species are endangered from habitat loss, urbanization, and farming. By losing natural land and native species, we are losing ecosystem diversity. In an era when our planetary existence is threatened, what are the world’s communities doing to save our collective existence？ This paper, based on India’s intellectual traditions, proposes a conceptual model or a system of philosophy of three related categories-diversity, ethics, and peace-for understanding diversity and differences at all levels of existence, individual （biological）, collective （socio-cultural）, and planetary （cosmological）. The main purpose is to make this interdisciplinary study part of an educational philosophy for the creation of civilized societies that will value all lives on the basis of equitability, and recognize ethics of dignity, respect, liberty, justice, and peace.

Discussion on the Modern Moral Education Function of the Traditional ＂Five Human Relationships＂

Chinese culture puts much emphasis upon ethics, by which people are bound to pay respect to their superiors, fathers or husbands, hence a realization of social harmony and the utmost of the moral unification of heavens and human beings. The story as a means of significance in transmission of traditional culture explains vividly the connotation of traditional morals and plays a role of importance in moral education of ancient times as well. This thesis shall analyze the essence of moral ideas in those stories, through which to be aware of and taste the ethical tenderness in traditional moralities, thus a perfection of the application of traditional stories to modern moral education.

Theoretical Perspective of Social Entrepreneurship： A Study of Determinants of Social Entrepreneurship in the Context of Saudi Arabia

The present paper discusses the different theories on entrepreneurship in general and social entrepreneurship in particular to investigate the different determinants of social entrepreneurship in the context of Saudi Arabia. The present research is a conceptual study. The data were collected to analyze the entrepreneurship theories in Saudi Arabia＇s context. The data related to entrepreneurship spirit, perception of society towards entrepreneurship, and other macroeconomic indicators are collected from different research journals, websites of different corporate houses, and government sources to analyze the social entrepreneurship theories, such as failure thesis, interdependence theories, welfare state theory, supply-side theory, entrepreneurship education, etc.. The theoretical hypothesis of interdependence theory, entrepreneurship spirit, and general education and the theoretical analysis of this paper in light of Saudi Arabia are in line with the theory. But the hypothesis generated out of failure thesis theory, welfare state theory, entrepreneurship education, and individualistic and collective society culture is not in line with these theories.

The Education of Students of Pedagogy With the Aim of Fostering Multiculturalism in a Community

The paper starts from the theoretical model of multiculturalism as a possibility for an individual to develop their own identity, to accept and respect the identity of other members of a community. The aim of this research is to determine how the students of pedagogy define the concept of multiculturalism and in how far they consider it to be current in contemporary social relationships. The survey was carried out using the descriptive method and the analysis of contents. It examined the attitudes of students who are preparing themselves for advisory work with children in elementary school and high school. The results of the research confirm that the pedagogy students define the concept of multiculturalism clearly. They recognize the need for upbringing that fosters multiculturalism in modern education, in order to gain extensive knowledge and use it in a particular situation.

Trends and Determinants of Unmet Need for Family Planning in Cameroon： The Role of Socio-Cultural Context

This study attempts to investigate and highlight the recent trends of unmet need for family planning in Cameroon. Differences for having an unmet need by place of residence, age, marital status, education, and living standards are also assessed. It is based on Cameroon Demography and Health Surveys （CDHS） which were conducted in 1991, 1998, 2004, and 2011. It aims at declaring the women＇s reasons for having an unmet need and identifying the socio-economic and cultural determinants of unmet need. A high proportion of women with unmet need are those who have experienced unwanted pregnancies. Health concerns about contraceptives and social disapprovals are other important reasons. The study identifies a significant relation among the unmet need and residence, age, work status, education, living standards, knowledge about contraceptives, and children ever born. This paper finally outlines the scope for further research, offering some perspectives on the nature and socio-cultural dimensions of unmet need.

Comparative Analysis on Juvenile Moral Education between China and America

In the 21st Century of the increasing living standards, the social demand for talents with various aspects of ability is becoming higher and higher. The families, study and society of generations after 70s and 80s pay more attention to cultivating their own children＇s comprehensive development. Juvenile moral education is an important part of the contemporary juvenile education. Juvenile moral education is worthy of being paid attention to. On one hand, it is because the juvenile education is in the most basic and critical stage of the whole education stage, which is in the stage of the biggest influence of education development; on the other hand, it is because the young people are active and curious by nature, which will cause the difficulty of moral education to increase in the education process. Various countries and regions in the world have their own unique cultures and adjustments,and these different cultures affect the residents of different countries and regions with different living habits, ways of thinking and behaviors; thus forming different cultural differences. This paper, by taking the juvenile moral education between China and America as the research object, aims at analyzing the Chinese and Western cultural difference in juvenile moral education representation and transmission, aiming at from point to area,promoting the communication and development of juvenile moral education.

Red cultural heritage of innovation and practice the socialist core values

November 2012, the CPC eighteen report makes clear the ＂three advocacy＂ that is ＂promote a prosperous, democratic, civilized, harmonious, advocating freedom, equality, justice, rule of law, promote patriotism, dedication, integrity, kindness, and actively cultivate community ism core values＂. Shanghai University of Engineering Science actively exchange, in consultation with Chen Yun Memorial. Chen Yun Memorial becomes education base of Party spirit of Shanghai University of Engineering Science in January 2012. The two sides mutual assistance, resource sharing, innovation, and collaborate on a series of patriotic education, spirit of education, the socialist core value education as the core of ideological education. Make full use of Shanghai University of Engineering Science Chen Yun Memorial rich red cultural resources, cultural heritage and innovation red while actively practice the socialist core values, help young party members to establish a correct outlook on life and values, enhance the spirit of patriotism of young party members to enhance awareness of young party members in the party spirit.

新形势下加强领导班子建设的几点思考

新形势新任务对进一步加强参政党建设提出了更高的要求,继续弘扬民建优良传统与加强自身建设和参政能力建设,是民主党派发展兴会面临的两大历史课题。不断推进我省民建事业的新发展,必须牢固树立"民主立会、人才强会、文化育会、实干兴会"的新理念,以此来加强领导班子自身建设,不断提高领导水平和参政水平。

Cultural Capital and Status Attainment: An Empirical Study Based on Data from Shanghai

Cultural capital plays an important role in individuals＇ educational and status attainment. On the basis of data from the Shanghai Social Structure Survey of 2008 and from the perspective of broadly defined cultural capital, this paper measures the role of cultural capital of parents and children in the acquisition of social status. The findings are as follows： （1） Higher stocks of cultural capital on the part of parents and children mean more years of schooling for children. （2） Children＇s culatral capital has a significant influence on their status attainment. （3） Controlling for variables like gender and father＇s occupation, the more cultural capital one has, the more likely one is to enter a higher stratum. （4） A family＇s education, cultural ambience and cultural investment have a sustained and stable impact on status attainment. （5） Cultural caoital provides an effective way for the lower strata ofsociety to achieve upward social mobility.