Romanchuk O. Theoretical and methodological foundations of training specialists in physical education and sports for pedagogical activities with children and youth in Austria (20th – the early 21st c.).

The focus of the thesis research is upon the theoretical and methodological foundations of training the specialists in physical education and sports for pedagogical activities with children and youth in Austria (the 20th – early 21st c.). The research is aimed at analysing the theory and methodology of training the specialists in physical education and sports for pedagogical activities with children and youth in Austria during the 20th – early 21st c. for outlining the progressive ideas and implementing them in the national education environment. The scientific novelty and theoretical significance of the study are as follows. The system analysis has been conducted in the theory and practice of training the prospective teachers of physical education and sports in Austria. The main tendencies have been defined in developing the training system of personnel provision in the field of physical education for children and youth in Austria during the 20th – early 21st c. The peculiarities have been identified in the modern Austrian system of professional education for the specialists in physical education and sport, and its legislative and regulatory, structural and organizational, content and methodological bases have been clarified. The main achievements of Austria have been identified in providing high quality training for specialists in physical education and sports for pedagogical activities with children and youth, and the rationale for their use in the educational environment of Ukraine has been substantiated. The scientific use of new data sources and documents has been introduced (Austrian legislation and regulations on physical education of the younger generations and professional training of pedagogical staff in physical education and sports, curricula and programs of Austrian higher educational institutions in the field, etc.). The practical significance of the thesis is that it significantly expands understanding the peculiarities of functioning and reforming in the Austrian system of professional education for pedagogical staff in physical education and sports. Its materials and guidelines allow for improving the structure, content and organization of the professional training in the relevant areas and specialties in Ukraine using the Austrian experience. The results of the study can be used for improving the content, organization and methods of educational process, and updating the curricula and programs of the Ukrainian institutions providing the professional training in the field of sports and education for children and youth. The thesis materials can be applied in further research of the theory and practice development of professional training for pedagogical staff in physical education and sports in Ukraine and abroad, and in scientific research of the theory and history of pedagogy, comparative pedagogy, etc.