The aim of this research was to compare the quality of life among University of the Third Age (U3A) students in Poland, where a novel method of educating seniors is being developed, with the quality of life among students at newly established U3As in Belarus and Ukraine, which have copied the Polish model. The research was also conducted to connect a range of socio-demographic variables with two explanatory ones: satisfaction with participation in U3A activities and the overall quality of life. A total of 515 U3A (N13) students from three Eastern European countries—Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus—took part in the research. The overall quality of life of U3A students was researched and expressed in the form of three components: stress level, sense of self-efficacy, and level of satisfaction with life. The following tools were used: PPS10 (Perceived Stress Scale), GSES (General Self-Efficacy Scale), and SWLS (Satisfaction with Life Scale). The research showed a statistically significant difference between the country of residence and the level of satisfaction with life, sense of self-efficacy, and the overall indicator of the quality of life. Polish seniors obtained higher results in all these areas when compared to their counterparts in Ukraine and Belarus.
The phenomenon of incompetence as an interdisciplinary subject requires multiple analyses embracing various spheres of life, and scientists whose knowledge is limited to only one discipline may face difficulties in capturing the core of the issue. This article is based on a meta-reflection inspired by the discourse revealed in post-humanist and post-pandemic reality. Its aim is to define sources of irrationality, areas of ignorance and, above all, levels of incompetence to reveal the primary categories. One of the problems standing in the way of development is a lack of interest, which leads to ignorance. A limited number of experiences and stimuli different from those in our everyday lives can lead us to a perception of the world solely from our own perspective. In the political sphere, cooperation between the authorities and specialists for the good of the community is crucial. The greed for power and money is fatal, causing numerous abuses, scientific knowledge becomes “inconvenient”, so it is easier to ignore it. A lack of unanimity among researchers and a divergence of views, cause the people who are not fully aware of how science works to begin to doubt it, which increases the obstinacy of their own views. It is impossible not to question and to systematize knowledge completely; the problem arises at the level of the dissemination of knowledge. Moreover, emotions and the phenomenon of resentment play one of the key roles in rationality, and controlling them and continuing education can reduce the phenomenon of incompetence.
In the contemporary world, communication goes far beyond the well-known traditional written or spoken forms. For today's digital users, these have become insufficient, as using them, they cannot express their thoughts fully. The youth that has developed its own language, has become more hermetic, but not because it rejects other generations. The reason is the inability of older generations to understand the new ways of communication. Seniors find it challenging to learn how to use new technologies and stay up to date with trends. Although young people are able to understand them, the older generation cannot keep up with the news and stays excluded. The lack of mutual understanding results in weaker bonds. Once again, it is possible to observe ICT as a contemporary key competence essential for an adequate, mutually comprehensible exchange of messages. The best way to connect two generations in this aspect is informal education, especially one focusing on intergenerational activities, which will not only reduce the exclusion of a social group such as seniors but will also let them to develop their critical thinking skills, which in the age of the Internet are crucial. Bringing up both generations in two different 'normalities' does not make any of them inferior but simply different. Investing in education, the desire for self-development and learning about the culture of different generations will not only open people's minds but will also have a positive impact on the development of intergenerational solidarity and mutual understanding.
Thesis. The article presents the construction process and psychometric properties of the Critical Thinking Questionnaire (CThQ). The questionnaire is a critical thinking test tool designed for adolescents and adults. The basis for creating the questionnaire was classifying the educational goals proposed by Benjamin Bloom and spread by critical thinking practitioners. Methods. The independent rater system was used in the construction of the test, while the psychometric properties of the test were tested on a sample of 198 people, calculating the inter-correlation and the Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficient. Result. Both assessments of the independent rater system and research checking the psychometric properties of the test indicate high reliability of the tool. Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of internal consistency was 0.87. In its final version, the test consists of 25 items, the results of which allow assessing critical thinking in 6 scales: remembering, understanding, applying, analysing, evaluating, and creating. The tool also allows checking the overall score.
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