Conference Description:

We are going to discuss directions of cultural and technological development of Western societies. In this context, we intend to identify the main challenges of and opportunities for education. We invite scientists and educators, who can share their research and experience of changes in education. Speakers can justify forecasts in empirical knowledge or design solutions according to some normative assumptions. Lectures or poster presentations can report the state of theoretical or empirical research, formulate hypotheses or research questions.

We want to devote special attention to the didactic mission of universities. Already Socrates and Plato have outlined it. According to them, it is to evoke critical thinking of students. As these philosophers show, it is a precondition for the security of democratic state: people need to think on their own, be critical and analytical to avoid the deception of demagogues and political charlatans. As it seems, educational programs tend to marginalize this mission. Therefore, we intend to discuss this mission in the context of the coming changes. We also would like to discuss the impact of technological development on education.