EdUcators in the Classroom

As the final part of the research activities of the Jean Monnet module “Highlighting European Values in the Educational Thought”, conducted from the 2022 to 2024 academic years at the Faculty of Educational Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, the scientific monograph “EdUcators in the Classroom” has been published. The editors are assistant professor dr. Marin Beroš (Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar) and associate professor dr. Bruno Ćurko (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Split). Published in English by the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, the monograph builds on the topics presented at the roundtable of the same name held in 2023 in Pula, as part of the International Scientific Conference 20th Mate Demarin Days.

With its somewhat intriguing title, “EdUcators in the Classroom”, it points to research interdisciplinarity, bringing together scholars from various academic profiles and backgrounds whose insightful contributions relate to the broader theme of European values and associated topics such as democracy, solidarity, civic engagement, critical thinking, responsibility, and how these themes can inform and shape education and teaching practices. Following on from the HEVET project, the monograph draws on theoretical concepts from the philosophy of education and reflects on the challenges that education faces in the shifting social and political environment of the 21st century. While some challenges are universal and timeless (e.g., do we educate to meet the needs of our students or those of society?), other issues are strongly tied to our specific time and place. A philosophy of education appropriate for the 21st century must address social transformations that significantly impact the meaning of education, its aims, and its practices—particularly globalization, digitalization, cultural fragmentation, and transformation.

Although primarily intended for scholars dealing with philosophy of education and pedagogy, “EdUcators in the Classroom” is also envisioned as a reference work for future generations of students interested in European themes in education. It is our hope that the combination of theoretical approaches and practical solutions will encourage and empower students to become EdUcators—not only teachers of European values, but also researchers in a shared endeavour with the children entrusted to their care. To support this aim, the book will remain openly accessible on the website of the Digital Repository of Juraj Dobrila University of Pula (https://repozitorij.unipu.hr/islandora/object/unipu:10167).