درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

Purpose: Enhancing divergent thinking and academic enthusiasm in students can positively affect their academic and non-academic performances. Consequently, the present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of critical thinking education on divergent thinking and the academic enthusiasm of high school students. Methodology: This quasi-experimental study followed a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with experimental and control groups. The research population comprised all female students in the 10th and 11th grades of the academic branch in Saveh city for the 2022-23 academic year, with a sample size calculated as 25 for each group based on G*Power software. Thus, 50 individuals were purposively selected and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent 10 sessions of 75-minute critical thinking training, while the control group received no intervention during this period. The research instruments included the divergent thinking subscale in Kolb’s (1984) Learning Style Inventory and Schaufeli et al.’s (2002) Academic Enthusiasm Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests in SPSS software. Findings: The results showed significant differences between the experimental and control groups in post-test and follow-up stages in terms of divergent thinking and academic enthusiasm. In other words, critical thinking education led to an increase in divergent thinking and academic enthusiasm among high school students, and the results were sustained at the follow-up stage (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, counselors and psychologists can use critical thinking education alongside other effective educational methods to improve academic and non-academic characteristics of students.

Purpose: One of the methods of curriculum design is based on the positive education approach. Therefore, the aim of this study was to design and validate a curriculum model based on the positive education approach in Iran's secondary education. Methodology: This study was applied and mixed-methods in terms of objective and implementation, respectively. The research population in both design and validation parts consisted of experts and scholars in the fields of educational studies, educational management, educational psychology, and research and planning experts for the compilation of secondary education textbooks. The sample of this study, based on the principle of theoretical saturation, included 22 individuals who were selected through purposive sampling and were subjected to semi-structured interviews and completion of a researcher-made questionnaire. The data obtained from the interviews and questionnaires were analyzed using coding methods based on grounded theory, exploratory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. Findings: Coding findings revealed that for the curriculum model based on the positive education approach in Iran's secondary education, 50 components were identified in 4 categories: causal factors (16 components), contextual and intervening factors (18 components), strategies (8 components), and effects and outcomes (8 components). Validity was confirmed through triangulation method and peer review, and reliability was calculated at 77 percent using the inter-rater agreement method. Findings from the exploratory factor analysis showed that the factor loading of each of the 50 components was appropriate, and 11 components were able to explain 86.4 percent of the total variance of the curriculum based on the positive education approach in Iran's secondary education. Structural equation modeling findings indicated that the curriculum model had a suitable fit and significantly impacted all four categories: causal factors, contextual and intervening factors, strategies, and effects and outcomes. Conclusion: Curriculum specialists and planners, based on the categories and components of this study, can take effective steps towards improving the curriculum based on the positive education approach in Iran's secondary education.

Purpose: The present study aimed to design a framework for recruiting non-teaching educational staff in Iran’s Ministry of Education. Method: The present study pursues a qualitative approach. The statistical population of the research included experts and professors in the field of specialization and the senior managers of the General Department of Education of Semnan province in the academic year of 2023-2024, among which 15 were chosen as the samples using theoretical saturation sampling and targeted sampling. The research instruments were a semi-structured interview and a review of the existing documents on this subject. The collected data were validated using member checking. The data validity was evaluated and confirmed using the quality criterion (reliability). The research data analysis method was thematic analysis in three levels: basic themes, organizing themes and Global Themes. Findings: The data analysis led to the identification of 393 basic themes, 33 number-one organizing themes, and 13 number-2 organizing themes in the field of specialization in recruiting non-teaching educational staff in the Ministry of Education. These themes were categorized under 4 global themes including expertise management with two organizing themes (expertise management and performance management), resource management with four organizing themes (human, time, material, and information), change management with three organizing themes (change in organizational structure, change in competitive atmosphere, and change in attitude), and management of organizational development with four organizing themes (managerial capabilities, human resource planning, creation of specialization culture, and organizational interactions). Conclusion: The use of elite and expert employees in the nonteaching sector of the educational system, as a leading institution in providing extensive services to the general public, depends on the presence of a specialization pattern in the recruitment of non-teaching staff. Identification of specialization criteria in the non-teaching sector, which has been done in this research, helps with the formulation of an appropriate specialization model to employ skilled and specialist staff in this sector.

Purpose: The present study aimed to provide a model of a poststructuralist educational system based on rhizomatic philosophy. Methodology: This study is of a fundamental research type, and the research method was qualitative, specifically utilizing a synthesis research approach. The research environment included all published domestic articles (from 2010 to 2022) and international articles (from 2007 to 2023). Purposeful sampling was used in this study until data saturation was achieved, thus sampling continued until the necessary data for analysis were obtained (23 articles). Following the review of the selected article texts, data were obtained through a combined synthesis method based on interpretive and analytical approaches. Subsequently, concepts were categorized based on their similarities into central categories, and ultimately, core categories were identified by combining the central categories. Findings: The findings revealed that a poststructuralist educational system based on rhizomatic philosophy includes three dimensions: reengineering planning, technological teaching, and curriculum reading. Conclusion: Given that in rhizomatic thinking, hierarchy or other concepts that impose a structure are not possible, democratic structures should be established in determining the strategies and programs of the educational system to ensure the participation of all stakeholders and the utilization of all capabilities and resources.

Purpose: This study aims to develop a comprehensive model for performance improvement management among educational group managers by identifying critical factors and components that influence managerial effectiveness in educational settings. Methodology: The research adopts a descriptive-survey methodology, with a statistical population comprising 400 educational group managers from Islamic Azad University in Tehran. Using the Morgan table, a sample of 196 participants was randomly selected. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) based on an exploratory factor analysis approach with LISREL software. Validity was assessed using composite reliability (CR) and Cronbach's alpha, with additional evaluations through Bartlett's test and KMO measure. Findings: The analysis identified six significant factors affecting performance improvement management: continuous monitoring and evaluation (R = .67, t = 9.56), knowledge management (R = .58, t = 8.27), professional development (R = .61, t = 8.70), empowerment (R = .89, t = 13.12), professional ethics (R = .71, t = 15.81), and managerial role (R = .69, t = 9.85). These factors encompass 25 specific components, such as planning, educational needs assessment, knowledge sharing, self-development skills, cognitive support, and strategic planning ability, all demonstrating significant factor loadings (p < .001). Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of structured and continuous management practices in educational settings. Emphasizing continuous monitoring, effective knowledge management, professional development, empowerment, ethical standards, and strong managerial roles can significantly enhance the performance of educational group managers. These insights provide a robust framework for educational institutions to improve their management strategies and achieve better organizational outcomes.