Abstract:

This study presents the results of a research of the social and the emotional competency of 7–8-year-old students as a result of the implementation of educational project "The First graders' New Start". The project aims to apply an innovative model of competency-based teaching and learning in technology rich environments with application of Dynamic Model of work in primary school. “The First Graders' New Start” is a project initiated, implemented, and supported by the government – Municipality of Burgas, Bulgaria.

The main goal of the project is the development of significant level of metacognitive skills that combine academic knowledge and key competencies. The study investigates some important aspects of social and emotional competency developed within the experimental work, such as skills for interaction and teamwork, skills for action in critical situations, problem-solving and conflict-solving skills.

The research methodology includes:
- monitoring of the teamwork during the performance on a team educational tasks;
- expert assessment based on Gilbruch's “The Students’ Profile” methodology (according to Dragolova, 2007) in part “Social and emotional relations”, which is adapted for the purposes of the study. The experts’ assessment is realized through long-term observation of the student by the teachers participating in the project.
- expert assessment based on Ivanov (1999) “Scale for assessment of the atmosphere in the group” – adapted for the purpose of the research.
- adapted version of the projective test of Rosenzweig – The Problem-Solving test (according to Rimskaya, 1997).

The study involved 350 students from 1st grade at 19 schools in Municipality of Burgas, Bulgaria participating in the project. The main conclusion of the study is that students are still incompetent in problems solving and dealing with conflict situations, but they show team spirit and competitiveness. Higher degree of indicators for self-organization and self-development of the students' group is observed, although the control of the educational environment is very restrictive.

Keywords:

Social and Emotional Competency, Teaching and Learning, Technology Rich Environments, Metacognitive Skills.