CEJER

📚 New book review published!

We are pleased to share the latest book review published in the Central European Journal of Educational Research:
“Academic life in shade and light: Snapshots of well-being” by Réka Berecz.
The review discusses Well-Being of Academic Staff in Rapidly Changing Higher Education: A Focus on Central and Eastern Europe, edited by Gabriella Pusztai and Krisztina Kovács, highlighting the importance of academic staff well-being in the rapidly changing higher education landscape.

📖 Read the full review here: https://ojs.lib.unideb.hu/CEJER/article/view/16992

How can communities support learning throughout the different stages of life? Beyond traditional classrooms, where else can meaningful learning experiences emerge?

The article, “Learning communities in the various settings of lifelong learning,” explores how learning communities contribute to knowledge creation, social participation, and personal development across diverse educational and cultural contexts.

The study highlights the role of learning communities in:
higher education, by strengthening student integration and intergenerational learning
vocational education and training, by supporting professional socialization and workplace learning
later-life learning, by promoting active ageing and social inclusion
cultural and non-formal learning environments, by creating alternative spaces for knowledge exchange

By examining learning as a socially embedded process shaped through participation, interaction, and shared experiences, the article provides valuable insights into how communities can become powerful drivers of lifelong learning.

📖 Read the full article in the Central European Journal of Educational Research:
https://ojs.lib.unideb.hu/CEJER/article/view/17117

What motivates people to engage in voluntary activities? How do personal values and religious involvement shape individuals’ willingness to contribute to their communities?

Thearticle, “Values as a connecting bridge between religiosity and volunteering,” examines how human values mediate the relationship between religiosity and volunteering behaviour. Using data from the European Social Survey 2023/24 database (N=42,489), the study explores the complex pathways through which beliefs, values, and social engagement are connected.

The research highlights that:
personal values play an important role in understanding the connection between religiosity and volunteering
religious communities can encourage volunteering through supportive networks and prosocial norms
social engagement is shaped by both individual orientations and collective experiences

By exploring the role of values in civic participation, this study offers valuable insights for researchers, educators, and communities interested in understanding the foundations of volunteering and social responsibility.

📖 Read the full article in the Central European Journal of Educational Research:
https://ojs.lib.unideb.hu/CEJER/article/view/16958

Why do university students choose to work during their studies? Is student employment mainly driven by financial necessity, or do personal values, institutional environments, and social backgrounds also shape students’ decisions?

The article, “Student employment and work values across borders – Comparative study of students from two Carpathian Basin universities,” explores how employment patterns and work-related values differ among full-time students at two higher education institutions in the Carpathian Basin.

Based on survey data from 2,078 students at the University of Szeged and Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, the study examines the relationship between students’ employment experiences, value orientations, and institutional contexts.

The findings highlight that:
student employment is a complex phenomenon shaped by more than economic factors
work-life balance and a positive workplace atmosphere are among the most important values for students
local institutional and social contexts influence students’ employment decisions and attitudes toward work

The research provides valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and higher education professionals interested in understanding students’ transitions between university life and the world of work.

📖 Read the full article in the Central European Journal of Educational Research:
https://ojs.lib.unideb.hu/CEJER/article/view/17009

Is student success only the result of individual effort? Or do relationships, institutional environments, and digital learning contexts also play a crucial role in shaping students’ motivation and persistence?

Theticle, “‘Student success is not an individual achievement’ – Motivation and teacher education in the digital age,” explores how student teachers’ motivation is influenced by social integration, professional identity development, and the changing conditions of learning in digital environments.

The study highlights that:
student motivation is shaped by relational, institutional, and technological contexts
teacher education needs to consider students’ sense of belonging and professional identity
digital learning environments can transform how autonomy, engagement, and relevance are experienced by future teachers

By connecting psychological, pedagogical, and sociological perspectives, the article offers valuable insights into how teacher education can better support future educators in a rapidly changing educational landscape.

📖 Read the full article in the Central European Journal of Educational Research:
https://ojs.lib.unideb.hu/CEJER/article/view/17005

Why do individuals choose a career in music? What role do social background, motivation, identity development, and personal experiences play in becoming a musician?

Our latest article, “Why Do Individuals Choose a Career in Music? A Systematic Review of Socialization-, Motivation-, and Identity-Based Factors,” examines the complex processes behind music career decisions and explores how different influences contribute to the formation of musical aspirations and professional identities.

The study highlights the importance of:
socialization processes and early musical experiences
motivation and personal commitment in pursuing a music career
identity formation as a key element of professional development in music

By bringing together findings from previous research, the article provides valuable insights for music educators, researchers, and institutions interested in supporting future musicians and understanding pathways into musical professions.

📖 Read the full article in the Central European Journal of Educational Research:
https://ojs.lib.unideb.hu/CEJER/article/view/17085

How do universities influence students’ attitudes toward work, achievement, and long-term goals? Beyond knowledge transfer, can higher education institutions also shape students’ future perspectives through their social and institutional environments?

Our latest article, “The role of higher education socialization in shaping students’ future-oriented work ethic,” explores how institutional culture, relationships with faculty and peers, and trust within higher education communities contribute to students’ future orientation and work ethic.

The study highlights that:
supportive institutional cultures can strengthen students’ commitment to long-term goals
trust-based relationships with teachers and peers play an important role in student development
students’ future-oriented work ethic is shaped not only by individual characteristics but also by their educational environment

Based on survey data from 1,336 higher education students, the research provides valuable insights into how universities can create environments that support academic success, persistence, and students’ future aspirations.

📖 Read the full article in the Central European Journal of Educational Research:
https://ojs.lib.unideb.hu/CEJER/article/view/17152

How does family support influence students’ attitudes, motivation, and commitment to long-term goals in higher education? When does parental involvement become a valuable resource — and when can it create challenges?

Thearticle, “Resource or risk? The role of higher education parental involvement in students’ future-aware work ethic,” explores how different patterns of parental involvement are connected to students’ future-oriented work ethic, persistence, and goal-directed efforts.

Based on data from 1,336 higher education students in Hungary and Hungarian minority regions of the Carpathian Basin, the study highlights that:
supportive and consistent parental engagement can strengthen students’ future awareness and work ethic
the quality of involvement matters more than involvement itself
ambivalent forms of parental involvement may represent a risk factor for students’ development

The findings provide valuable insights for researchers, educators, and families seeking to better understand the role of social support in higher education success.

📖 Read the full article in the Central European Journal of Educational Research:
https://ojs.lib.unideb.hu/CEJER/article/view/17017

How can teachers better support students with special educational needs in foreign language learning? What challenges emerged when education moved online during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The article, “Teaching English for Students with Special Educational Needs During the Pandemic,” explores the experiences of English teachers working with students with special educational needs and examines the impact of distance learning, parental involvement, and digital tools on language education.

The study highlights important questions for inclusive education:
How can teaching practices be adapted to diverse learning needs?
What support do teachers and students need in digital learning environments?
How can families and schools work together to improve educational opportunities?

Discover valuable insights into the challenges and possibilities of supporting learners with special educational needs.

📖 Read the full article in the Central European Journal of Educational Research:
https://ojs.lib.unideb.hu/CEJER/article/view/17006

New research on strengthening family–school partnerships is now available!

How can schools build stronger connections with families? How can research, teacher training, and innovative tools support meaningful collaboration between parents, teachers, and students?

The latest article, “Strengthening family–school partnerships through research, training and innovation: Reflections from the MTA-DE-PARTNERED program,” explores how evidence-based approaches can contribute to more effective family engagement in education.

The study highlights the importance of:
understanding different forms of parental involvement
supporting teachers through targeted trainingdeveloping innovative practices that encourage cooperation and dialogue

Discover how research-driven solutions can help create more inclusive and collaborative educational communities.

📖 Read the full article in the Central European Journal of Educational Research:
https://ojs.lib.unideb.hu/CEJER/article/view/17004