MASU Institute for Psychology and Pedagogy intensifies cooperation with Norwegian partners
- 13.11.2019
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An international seminar «Sensitive pedagogy of Norway and Russia in the Arctic diversity: pedagogical dialogue» was held in UiT — the Arctic University of Norway (campus Alta) and financed by the grant from Barents+ program.
The seminar was attended by teachers and students of Murmansk Arctic State University and the Arctic University of Norway (Alta campus). The Russian side was represented by Tatiana Kuzmicheva, Ph.D. in Pedagogy, associate professor, director of MASU Institute for Psychology and Pedagogy; Julia Afonkina, Ph.D. in Psychology, associate professor, head of MASU department of Pedagogy and Psychology for Special needs; Valerii Chernik, Ph.D. in Pedagogy, associate professor, head of MASU Department of Pedagogy; Mikhail Uksusov, advisor International cooperation office, as well as graduate students Ekaterina Nikiforova, a speech therapist at the Murmansk Center for Psychological, Educational and Social Assistance, and Ilona Shemiakina, a pedagogical psychologist at the Murmansk kindergraten No. 122. The seminar responsible on the Norwegian side was Elena Merzliakova.
The seminar objectives were to exchange experience, discuss and develop the intercultural models of pedagogical dialogue which implement the principle of supporting diversity of education in the Arctic.
A significant part of the seminar was devoted to a discussion of approaches and practices for integrating diversity in the education of Norway and Russia. Parties paid special attention to the interpretation of the concept «sensitive pedagogy». The analysis of empirical materials has shown a multifaceted understanding of this term, being new to Russian psychological and pedagogical science.
In the course of a free discussion, the seminar participants expressed their opinions about the concept and manifestation of sensitive pedagogy, about the ways teachers react to the behavior of children and other participants in educational relationships in the context of sensitive pedagogy, as well as about the factors and conditions on which their interaction may depend. In particular, Professor Werner Bigell, who was delivering his report on-line, drew attention to the socio-political aspect of accounting for diversity in the educational activities. In turn, Professor Herbert Zoglowek focused on the diversity of children’s nature.
The discussion of similarities and differences in the existing experience of pedagogical work to support the individual development of children in Norway and Russia, taking into account the peculiarities of culture, health, social situations, personal needs and opportunities of the children’s population of the Arctic, inspired new project ideas.
Natalia Kononova, International Coordinator and Manager of the Barents+ program, spoke positively about the experience of cooperation in the field of educational research, which has been jointly accumulated by the teachers of MASU Institute for Psychology and Pedagogy and their colleagues from the Arctic University of Norway.
One of the results of such cooperation was a joint article written by Valerii Chernik, Julia Afonkina, Tatiana Kuzmicheva, Elena Merzliakova, Kirsten E. Stien, and Anne B. Reinertsen and published in the US journal «Qualitative Inquiry». The article was indexed in the Web of Science database just on the day the delegation arrived from Murmansk to Alta. This can be seen as a kind of positive sign for the successful continuation of cooperation.
In addition to scientific problems, the seminar participants discussed the possibility of creating a thematic network and international courses of the Arctic orientation for undergraduate and graduate students. According to the representatives of the delegation from Murmansk, this is especially true in connection with the planned opening of a new master’s program «Innovations in Education» in MASU. Of particular relevance are elective courses «Comparative pedagogy of the Arctic countries» and «Innovation in the educational systems of the Arctic region». The Norwegian colleagues approved the proposals for the joint management.
In conclusion, we emphasize once again that holding of the international seminar was made possible thanks to the support of the Barents+ program. The goals and objectives of the project, which received his grant, have been fully implemented. A substantial reserve has also been made for future projects.