DIGITAL LIBRARY
THINKING ABOUT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT OF THE 21ST CENTURY
Gori State Teaching University (GEORGIA)
About this paper:
Appears in: EDULEARN13 Proceedings
Publication year: 2013
Pages: 4972-4980
ISBN: 978-84-616-3822-2
ISSN: 2340-1117
Conference name: 5th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies
Dates: 1-3 July, 2013
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Abstract:
Current thinking about learning environment of the 21st century is based on involving of the research elements more intensively and integrate them in the educational process. The researchers must begin to study collaboration in strong settings because student must include both basic and applied skills and focus them to problem solving and decision making. By the analysis of the transformation of education are indicated some defects and its aspects mostly in two directions: curricula and syllabi design which could not merge to integrate teaching-learning-research through ICT perfectly, because ICT develops more rapidly, and education does not manage to catch him with the same fast pace.

The research paper looks at the current higher education problems of the developing countries and of Georgia especially and discusses how the problems are analyzed and decisions are made in the context of higher education reforms. It focuses on the:
• Discrepancies between objectives and achievements;
• Importance of risk analysis in strategic planning of higher education development;
• Management requirements for a smooth implementation of innovative projects.

The work stated the problem of relativity of the understanding of the modern learning environment in higher educational programs and developing student’s skills for market economy of 21st century.

The research work covers:
a/ Analysis of the current teaching-learning-research conditions (curricula and syllabi) at the Georgian universities with comparing them with EU universities in to the directions of business and economics;
b/ Consideration and analysis of the research questions: What are the reasons and the basis of this thinking about learning environment? What we have and what we need? What we teach and how we teach? Can we create a real learning environment? How it will be done?
c/ Analysis of the Teaching - Learning needs:
- Curriculum should apply to students and their preparing for employability and prepare students for competitive labor market;
- High school should reinforce innovation of student learning and develop of student's skill;
- Improve students' learning interests, prepare students to change the world for competitive market;

Some of the questions are without answers today but the understanding that the research process integrated with T-L-Business and corporate relations is essential characteristics of higher education systems is achieved.

In result, the paper suggested a strategy for implementation teaching – learning- IT and research design principals and the recommendations to the Ministry of Education and Research of Georgia for the development HE process in Georgia:
1. To increase student’s motivation in education on the basis of improving their social conditions by scholarships, housing, student’s exchange;
2. To increase student’s competitiveness by improving quality of syllabi and teacher’s qualification;
3. To discuss effectiveness distance education and to include it under educational law of Georgia!
Keywords:
Rethinking, learning, IT, learning environment, teaching-learning-research, motivation, curriculum, syllabi, competitiveness.