The man in the modern culture faces the challenge of either being creative or forced to leave the stage, which reflects the essential basics of life. The price of lost opportunities, caused by mental stereotypes and encapsulation, is gradually rising. The paper reveals the socio-cultural conditions and the necessary cultural topology of creativity development, as well as the man’s creative potential in the 21st century. The content of the creativity concept is specified along with the phenomenon of its fast expansion in the modern discourse. That results from the global spreading of numerous creative practices in various spheres of life, affecting the progress directions in economics, business, industrial technologies, labor, employment and social stratification.

The author emphasizes the social features of creativity, the rising number of, so called, creative class, and outlines the two opposing strategies influencing the topology modification of the social and cultural environment. The first one, applied by the developed countries, facilitates the development of the creative human potential, whereas the other one, inherent in our country, holds that a creative person is able to make progress by himself. However, for solving the urgent problem of innovative development, the creative potential of modern Russia is not sufficient, and following the second strategy will result in unrealized social opportunities and ever lasting social and cultural situation demanding further investment. According to the author, to avoid such a perspective, it is necessary to overcome the three deeply rooted archetypes: the educational disciplinary centrism, organizational absolutism and cultural ostracism. 

The author looks at the outcome of the social and economic reorganiza- tion conducted in Russia in the last two decades, analyzing the present situation, psy- chological atmosphere in society and personal feelings, which reflect, on the one hand, the growing prosperity, and on the other hand – life dissatisfaction, spiritual emptiness, loneliness, disability of life control. The three most widely spread answers to the question concerning the society type being built in Russia in the 21st century are given. The first one – the official opinion characteristic of the ambitious, empowered people - holds that we are building the democratic, civil and legal society or the consumer society; the sec- ond one - the common men’s opinion, based on emotions rather than theoretical conclu- sions - holds that we are doing nothing at all; whereas the third opinion reflects the real- ity. In conclusion, the existing economic model is defined by the author as reflecting the soviet-liberal way of doing business, which, in his opinion, is rather dangerous both for the state and society, and therefore should be transformed in the interest of the national economy instead of the interest of big businesses. 

 The paper deals with the research findings concerning the process of mastering the theoretical basics of discrete mathematics by the students of vocational pedagogic profile. The methodological analysis is based on the subject and functions of the modern discrete mathematics and its role in mathematical modeling and computing.

The modern discrete mathematics (i.e. mathematics of the finite type structures) plays the important role in modernization of vocational training. It is especially rele- vant to training students for vocational pedagogic qualifications, as in the future they will be responsible for training the middle and the senior level specialists in engineer- ing and technical spheres. Nowadays in different industries, there arise the problems which require for their solving both continual – based on the classical mathematical methods – and discrete modeling.

The teaching course of discrete mathematics for the future vocational teachers should be relevant to the target qualification and aimed at mastering the mathematical modeling, systems of computer mathematics and computer technologies. The author emphasizes the fundamental role of mastering the language of algebraic and serial structures, as well as the logical, algorithmic, combinatory schemes dominating in dis- crete mathematics.

The guidelines for selecting the content of the course in discrete mathematics are specified. The theoretical findings of the research can be put into practice whilst developing curricula and working programs for bachelors and masters’ training. 

The paper is devoted to the issues of the subjectivity formation in the educational environment, as well as the application of the relative psycho-technologies of facilitation and optimization of the process.

The correlation between the notions of personality and subject is considered, though their scientific and semantic distinctions still remain obscure. In the frame- work of the competence approach, based on the concepts of accepted in education and psychology functional paradigm, the above terms are widely spread. Therefore, finding out the specifics of their genesis is both relevant and up-to-date. The authors conclude that the personality and subject are not equivalents, the same as the personality growth is not equivalent to the subjectivity formation.

By means of theoretical analyses of the domestic approaches to the phenomena of subject and subjectivity, the four-stage process of the subject-genesis in the educa- tional environment has been modeled. At every stage of subjectivity formation in the particular conditions, it is necessary to use psycho-technologies relating to the actual targets of subject-genesis, which makes it possible to optimize the educational process in the context of the competence approach. The level-based description of the given process is proposed along with the model of its optimization in implementing the target psycho-technologies. The model can be applied both as a methodology basis for the complex development and optimization of psycho-pedagogical facilitation of the sub- jectivity formation, and as a theoretical basis for the educational strategy development and correction in a particular educational establishment. 

The paper is dedicated to the art perception of various genres based on the comparative analysis method. The authors emphasize the esthetic heritage of Ivan Ilyin and his spiritual actology – the reliable guidelines for those following in the footsteps of Alexander Pushkin in the Russian art. The research was designed to spec- ify the basic esthetic and art study categories, introduced by Ivan Ilyin and including the basic content of the modern art education; the concepts of the creative artistic act, levels of work of art, artistry and art education being defined. On the basis of the clas- sical works on esthetics by the eminent Russian thinker, the authors analyze the es- sence of artistic perception; different levels of art work being discussed, as well as the artistic act of creating an art object and requirements for art education.

The art education problem is getting even more relevant because of the culture degradation, technocratic civilization of triviality, displacement of genuine art by com- mercial shows, etc. However, only due to the genuine art, the productive perception can be developed as the basic quality of creativity in any sphere. The art teachers, art- ists and art critics working together can promote the general spiritual level by teaching people to strive for artistic perfection, rather then senseless entertainment.

The research findings can be implemented both in the theoretical spheres of es- thetics and art studies, and in the system of teaching the disciplines of cultural, esthe- tic and art profiles. 

The paper is devoted to the ethical and cultural facilitation of intellectual creative activities. The methodology basis of the research compiles the differentiated analy- sis of Russian moral culture and axiological analysis of its educational potential.

The authors describe the specifics of the system of aristocratic moral qualities and refinement; their main characteristics being observed. The novelty of the approach involves the understanding of the aristocratic moral values as a necessary condition for the productive intellectual and creative activity. The authors investigate the historic origin of the aristocratic moral values, and define the functions and specifics of the Russian type of aristocratic culture; the objective and subjective conditions of its for- mation are highlighted, as well as the integrity of the refinement inherent in people en- gaged in intellectual and creative activities.

The authors believe that revival of the refinement, as one of the aspects of the Russian moral culture, depends on both the development of our own nation and the the world society as a whole. Nowadays, when the postindustrial society is giving way to the informational one, the production of information takes the leading part in social life. The information and knowledge, being its unified products, provide new ways for evolving of the phenomenon of refinement. Its pedagogic potential should be imple- mented in the process of education and upbringing. 

 The paper reveals the inefficiency problem of preventive measures controlling students’ intolerant and extremist behavior in higher educational institutions. According to the author, such trends in students’ society, as well as the rising phenomenon of nationalistic religious identity inevitably leading to interpersonal tensions, are caused in the last decades by the degrading prestige of higher education, growing pragmatism and formality of its achievement and key value depreciation in higher educational institutions. To improve the existing situation, it is necessary to revive the main functions of higher educational establishments –the intellectual and professional elite formation, cherishing the humanity values, social responsibility and active civil position; on the other hand, it is vitally important to create the system of prevention and correction of such trends as intolerance and extremism. However, the above goals are aggravated by the number of other problems listed in the paper.

The method of developing the system of complex prevention of the mentioned negative phenomena is proposed with the reference to higher educational institutions; the specific stages of the given method, the technologies and organizational forms being outlined; the practical application and outcome in Tyumen State University being discussed. The research findings can be interesting for people responsible for preventive measures in higher educational instinutionms. 

The paper discusses the role of social advertising in promoting the ideas of a sobrietology – the science exploring the negative phenomena affecting human consciousness, investigating the conformities of human society, where the sobriety is a vitally important norm and value, and taking psychoactive substances is limited to the non-affecting the individual and society minimum. Sobrietology emphasizes psychic processes, interpersonal pedagogical interactions and social prospects of a healthy nation. This field of human knowledge can guarantee the necessary assistance to teachers in counteracting the tobacco smoking, taking alcohol, narcotics and toxic substances. The authors denote the structural aspects of sobrientology, its pedagogical guidelines and demonstrate the possible ways of social advertising in educational sphere, developing the ideals of moral and physical health, and steady socially adequate behavior patterns.

Social advertising is regarded as the relevant new resource in propagating the healthy and sober life style, and providing the grounds for personal growth. It combines the informational, communicative, educational, patriotic and image-making functions and possesses a powerful potential of influencing people’s consciousness and behavior. In the authors’ opinion, this sort of informational activity is quite perspective and efficient for promoting the ideas of sobriety, sustaining the moral norms and values, and carrying the state anti-alcohol and anti-narcotic policy. 

The case study technology is considered to be an effective tool for developing the students’ environmental competence. Numerous modern interactive techniques, facilitating the competence approach, can be fitted into its framework. The essence of the case-study is defined as the teaching method of problem-solving. The technology in question makes it possible to use the so called triad of «training – education – development», and provides such teaching opportunities as streaming the students according to their interests, skills, abilities and psychological peculiarities; and, therefore, assigning the relevant and motivating individual tasks.

The paper traces the history of the case-study, as well as some theoretical and methodological aspects of its implementation in teaching process; the pedagogic goals fulfilled by means of the given technology are listed along with its advantages compared to other methods. The «case-study» term, its structure and working algorithms are defined. The application examples relating to environmental education at different levels are given. 

The paper deals with one of the most urgent problems of language teaching in Russia – the need for raising the quality of foreign language and culture teaching in compulsory secondary school. By analyzing the current normative documents and perspectives of further development, the basic values of language teaching were highlighted, correlated with the teaching experience and achievements of the pre- revolutionary era. For the first time, the issue was discussed at the regional level of one of the remote Russian territories–to the south of the Urals.

The basic research methods include the historical, logical and comparative analysis of language teaching in the pre-revolutionary era reflected in some previously unknown archives documents.

The updating of the historic pedagogical experience emphasized in the paper could, on the one hand, preserve the national language teaching traditions, and on the other hand, give way to innovative regional projects facilitating the language teaching, multilingualism and multicultural trends in society. 

The paper discusses the integrative method of studying the mathematical disciplines; observes the implementation of new technologies of knowledge acquisition developing the integral approach to the content and modes of professional activity. 

The authors regard the integration as the combination of the theory, skills and practical activities at all levels of specialists training. The integrative approach makes it possible to concentrate on the essence of the teaching materials and avoid the content repetition in different engineering and technical disciplines. In studying the theo- retical construction basics, the key role belongs to mathematics. As the result, the authors designed the method of achieving the professional competence based on the integrative course of Mathematics and Computer Technology Studies with the aim of mastering the engineering skills and abilities of solving practical problems.

The special emphasis is on the laboratory work conducted by applying the information technologies, which allows the students to absorb in practice the theoretical scientific concepts of the discipline, the experimental techniques of the relating industry and use the acquired knowledge in solving both the educational research problems and later on the actual industrial ones –which means combining the theory and practice. The given method is exemplified by the laboratory work on Operations with Matrix.

The implementation of the proposed laboratory-computer practicum enhances the level of mathematical knowledge, facilitates the development of the new integrative way of thinking and reinforces the motivation of mathematical studies. 

The paper looks at the teaching process at schools of the natural sciences profile. The subject of the research is devoted to the correlations between the students’ progress and the degree of their involvement in creative activities of problem solving in the natural sciences context. The research is aimed to demonstrate the reinforce- ment of students’ creative learning by teaching mathematical schemes and structures.

The comparative characteristics of the task, problem and model approaches to mathematical problem solving are given; the experimental data on the efficiency of mathematical training based on the above approaches being discussed, as well as the specifics of modeling the tasks for problem solving. The author examines the ways for stimulating the students’ creative activity and motivating the knowledge acquisition, and search for the new mathematical conformities related to the natural science content. The significance of the Olympiad and other non-standard tasks, broadening the students’ horizons and stimulating creative thinking and abilities, is emphasized.

The proposed method confirms the appropriateness of introducing the Olympiad and non-standard problem solving into the preparatory training curricula for the Unified State Examinations.