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Masaryk University, Brno
MU
Czech Republic
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The Masaryk University (MU) located in Brno, located in Brno, is the second-largest public university in the Czech Republic and the leading higher education institution in Moravia. At present it comprises nine faculties with more than 200 departments, institutes and clinics. Recognized as one of the most important teaching and research institutions in the Czech Republic and a highly-regarded Central European university, it has been marked by a strong democratic spirit ever since its establishment in 1919. One of the top priorities for Masaryk University is scientific research. It has attained a leading position in competitions for research grants, is making considerable financial investments at its new university campus to enhance its research and teaching capacity and is developing tools for the transfer of knowledge and improved support for research and innovation. Masaryk University offers degrees in a wide spectrum of traditional as well as newly-emerging disciplines and is one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in Europe. The university is heavily involved in the mobility activities and research programmes of the European Union and other countries, thanks to which graduates of Bachelor’s or Master’s studies at other institutions may continue at the Master’s or doctoral levels at Masaryk University. A special feature of the university is its policy with regard to students with sensory or physical disabilities. Masaryk University places a strong accent on international cooperation with prestigious foreign universities and research institutions. It supports the continuous exchange of knowledge, ideas, information, researchers, instructors and students throughout the world and assures equal chances of access to education and the free exploration of ideas. The University is well recognised for its experience in education. Faculty of Education plays a crucial role within the context of Czech national education system as the centre of teacher training for all levels of schools (kinder garden, primary, secondary) and all subjects based on educational research. Particular objectives are the education of people with special needs, teacher and health, curriculum design and in-service teacher training. Faculty of Education research and development orientation issues from faculty’s principle mission, i.e. education and training of teachers for schools of all levels and types, therefore it concentrates on teaching and education fields where the key ones are general education, didactics in general or didactics by fields together with e-learning and multimedia usage in teaching, special education, health education, social pathologic phenomena and multicultural education. The experts of the departments concentrate, in addition, on research in the all branches.
Prof. Josef Trna (http://www.muni.cz/edu/people/Josef.Trna) is an associated professor in the Physics department of Faculty of Education. He is also the Dean of Faculty of Education. Prof. Trna’s master degree was in physics and mathematics education. Doctoral studies were in science education focused on motivation in physics education. He is experienced in upper secondary school mathematics, physics and science teaching. His main research domains are: motivation of students in science education, diagnostics of students´ skills in science education, simple school experiments, educational video programs, curricula designing, education of gifted students etc. He gives lectures: Primary science education, Motivation in science education, Alternative science education, Diagnostics in science education, School experimenting etc. He co-operates with EU science educators and researcher in many projects. He has participated in a range of international science education conferences and seminars, especially related to student motivation and is the current Czech leader for EuSTD-Web project.
Dr. Eva Trnova (http://www.muni.cz/ped/people/26136) is a senior lecturer holds PhD in Chemistry education and MA in Chemistry and biology education. Her research focuses on sustainable development education and learning biology and chemistry. She has experience in science teacher training, in further education programs for teachers in special pedagogy and several European projects in science education.