Manifestation of generalist and specialist conceptions in skills acquired by masters in education science

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Edukologijos magistrantai; Eedukologijos magistrantūros studijos; Generalista; Magistrantų gebėjimai; Specialistas; Specializuotas ir bendrasis ugdymas ir ugdymasis; Įgyjami magistrantų kompetencijos; Acquired competencies; Generalist; Graduates skills; Master degree students in education; Specialised and general education; Specialist; Studies o f master in education science.

ENVarious discussions have emerged in Lithuanian public space with regard to the status of the education science and its mission which led to the need to analyse the most relevant issues in relation of education science with society. One of such issues regards the purpose of Master studies in Education Science and the conception the preparation of Masters in Education Science is based on. The article seeks to reveal the tendencies in the purpose of Master studies in Education Science, which are reflected in skills acquired by the graduates from these studies. On the basis of the generalist and specialist conception theory, the study aims at identification of the manifestation of these conceptions in the skills acquired by master programme students. A quantitative research strategy was chosen to reach the aim, and a questionnaire survey was performed. 208 students in Master study programme in Education Science participated in the study. The generalist conception here refers to the type of human resources which is peculiar of the mixing, combination behaviour model; it is a person who acts and makes decisions with reference to the interface of knowledge in various disciplines, activity areas and skills. A generalist is inherent of multitasking, i.e. ability to perform a number of various functions, of communicative skills, analytic skills, leadership and planning skills. A generalist is able to be open to changes, discovering new opportunities, is receptive to new knowledge and skills, cognition of new professional activity areas. A specialist conception is related to orientation towards a narrow and very concrete area of professional activity having a very deep and specialised educational background. Specialist is inherent of concrete but rather deep knowledge and skills in a certain area. This conception is easily recognisable in the society and is often related with a concrete vocation.The research results indicate that the purpose of Master studies in Education Science as reflected in the skills acquired by the graduates is more related to the generalist conception, which can be characterised of special skills embracing several activity areas and strong general skills, which create premises to act in a broad activity range including various areas, disciplines and roles. Masters in Education Science can be characterised as being open to changes, innovations, having critical thinking skills and being responsible. Social sensitivity, tolerance and communicative skills are necessitated by the specificity of education science. However, the students still lack a multi-paradigmatic thinking which determines behaviour in several levels and dimensions, peculiar to the generalist conception. Masters in Education Science are more prepared to work on micro and mezzo levels. [From the publication]