bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
APPLYING CRM TECHNIQUES IN ENHANCING ELEARNING
Authors: Onete Bogdan , Vasile Viorel , Teodorescu Ioana
Published: February 2023

The role of eLearning with reference to traditional education has increased in recent years mainly in higher education and lifelong learning. Web learning experiences have impact mostly on young people. This can be seen from a positive reaction to study anywhere and anytime, with access to a computer and an Internet connection. The increased demand for rapid training and education generated a rapid growth of eLearning as an information technology function. As a direct result, in order to respond to the amplified demand and a tight competition, providers of eLearning applications began to import techniques from customer-centered environments (banking, telecommunications, IT, etc.). Applying a CRM methodology added a new dimension to the eLearning systems that led to the development of applications and strategies for attracting new customers, increasing their satisfaction, managing the relation with them, and preventing their attrition. In addition, by adhering to the CRM techniques, eLearning providers made available also an integrated infrastructure to enhance performance of monitoring and assessment process. Applying the CRM methodology in this environment can bring many advantages to the organizations, such as cost reduction, revenue increase, identifying new opportunities for expansion, improving customer satisfaction, profitability, and retention. Of course, adopting CRM techniques to the eLearning industry requires wide changes in the organization's activities and strategy for defining customer's interaction. Despite the growth of eLearning in recent years, not many researchers have addressed this issue and the main objective of this article is to analyze the CRM adoption and its effects on improving the quality of eLearning services.
SKILL GENERATOR ASSESSMENT GAME
Authors: Herman Cosmin , Epure Carmen , Mustea Anca , Morariu Ovidiu , Dochie Elena
Published: February 2023

The workshop aims to show the methodes used for the developing of the transversal Skill Generator Assessment Game.
The objectives are:
- Enhancing digital integration in learning, teaching, training and youth work at various levels;
- Promoting entrepreneurship education and social entrepreneurship among young people.

The workshop describes the steps for developing an ICT-based education tool simulating real life situations in order to support apprentices/VET students to enhance and foster transversal skills needed by the current labor market. The score system embedded within the e-learning tool, instead, will provide a
structure for the assessment of the skills developed.

Due to the current labour market changes, there is a clear tendency towards the broadening of the required skills portfolio at all occupational levels, linked to "non-routine" tasks. For example, ICT professionals have to develop skills in marketing or management; services workers have to develop customer-oriented skills and digital literacy or tourism services professionals have to look for new
ways to attract interest by potential clients. In many knowledge-intensive sectors, skills as managerial and scientific knowledge are in fact more and more frequently needed.

This reflects the growing demand from employers for transversal key competences. These personal attributes enhance an individual's interactions, job performance and career prospects. The transversal skills are crucial for employees themselves as well. There are many youngsters choosing self-employment as an alternative option to the regular employment. Young people still in education or training have not yet acquired the necessary knowledge and experiences or skills needed to decide whether the self-employment is suitable as their future career. While hard skills include job specific knowledge, transversal skills relate to a person's ability to interact effectively with co-workers and customers and are broadly applicable both in and outside the workplace, such as problem-solving, analytical skills, self-management and communication skills and stress management skills. Beside the regular entrepreneurial courses focused on economy, business planning, financial management etc. it is crucial for these young people to develop transversal skills, promoting ones creativity, innovativeness, ability to work in team or communication skills.

As the output will be an e-learning prodct will run within the Moodle e-learning platform as LMS providing an infrastructure for MOOC.
E-LEARNING PREREQUISITES, TASKS AND METHODOLOGY FOR PREPARING THE ENGINEERING STUDENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE IN FORMAL MEETINGS IN ENGLISH
Authors: Catana Elisabeta simona
Published: February 2023

Evincing the importance of preparing the engineering students for successful professional communication in formal meetings in a company in English, this paper enlarges upon the necessity of a series of communication tasks, methodological approaches and e-learning for addressing the students' learning needs and for accomplishing our teaching objectives. We argue that English language courses and seminars in a technical university should meet the students' learning needs in terms of effective communication and socializing skills for promising careers in our 21st century companies or multinationals. Teaching the students how to act and communicate in a formal meeting in a company or in a formal academic meeting, how to agree and to disagree with their interlocutors' views in a tactful, respectful manner, what communication strategies to use to convince their interlocutors of the importance of their proposals and encouraging the students to resort to e-learning represent key issues for preparing the students for promising careers in a company or in a multinational in our 21st century society. This paper will enlarge upon: 1) e-learning as a necessary condition for successful performance in formal meetings in a future career in a company; 2) the importance of communication activities, such as simulated meetings and videoconferences, for developing the students' formal speaking skills and self-confidence; 3) the engineering students' perspective on the role of e-learning in developing their communication competence in the English language courses for their future successful performance in formal meetings at work and 4) the necessary methodology. The most complex form of socializing and the most competitive and stimulating work environment for making decisions and solving problems in a company or in the real world, meetings for various purposes test the participants' communication and behavioural competence, their open-mindedness and flexibility, urging them to prepare their roles for having their objectives successfully accomplished. With a view to preparing the engineering students for professional communication in a future work environment in a company in our multicultural society, the English language courses and seminars in a technical university should approach the concept of meetings from a theoretical perspective, presenting the various manners of communication across different cultures, as well as from a practical perspective, taking meetings for interactive classroom activities meant to motivate the students to develop their English language competence, their manners of communication and behaviour, their ability to be flexible and tolerant. The blended learning approach will be presented as a necessary condition for meeting the students' learning needs and for accomplishing our teaching objectives.
E-LEARNING: WHO, WHY, WHERE?
Authors: Duluta Andreistefan , Mocanu Stefan
Published: February 2023

Digital systems embed an essential component for most of the tasks we have to accomplish in our daily activity. The educational system belongs to a very wide range of fields where Computer Science proves its fundamental utility. No matter whether we focus on online courses, video-conferences, software instruments for examinations, creating models and simulations, IT offers extraordinary tools that become more and more used in the teaching process.

Many students are familiar with notions like "social network", "smart-phone", "e-mail". They understand the practicability of digital equipments and have the ability to accommodate, fairly quickly, with a software application. Encouraging and developing the technical competences which relate to Information Technology should be added to main operational objectives aimed by educational programs. This way, the curriculum will reflect the actual needs and concerns of the on-coming generations.

This paper proposes an analysis which covers some of the most significant aspects derived from the development and usage of e-learning instruments. Accessibility, diversity, the possibility of simulating and testing an impressive number of situations and phenomena in the absence of a dedicated framework (laboratory) are just a few of the advantages that are detailed in this article. Nevertheless, e-learning, just like all teaching methods and didactic instruments, has its limitations. For instance, lack of human interaction, a potential biased feedback, uncertain or delayed propagation of information, specific problems related to networking and other hardware issues are some of the major drawbacks of e-learning systems as opposed to traditional teaching methods. Not knowing or not considering these constraints could result in lowering the quality of the educational process or even damaging the students' perception about the activity of learning.

As a result, in order to create an image of the e-learning concept as complete as possible, the paper covers some representative situations where computer science could interfere with the teaching process itself.

Answering, as objectively and responsibly as possible, to the question "What are PRO and AGAINST consequences of using the e-learning tools?" will be doubled by some examples based on the experience of people involved in implementing such e-learning projects. Also, the paper presents some effects of the electronic learning as felt by its main target: the students. Having these real situations as a starting point, a few plausible solutions will be suggested in order to ameliorate or avoid some of the issues that may occur when "e-learning" a group or an individual person.
BLENDED TEACHING FOR ADVANCED KNITTING TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: Blaga Mirela , Dan Dorin
Published: February 2023

The knitting machines expand their usefulness from being just a manufacturing process, to become design tools for creative innovative 3D forms. Knitting technology on advanced electronic flat machines is an area where some students experience great difficulty. Part of these difficulties may arise from the inability of understanding the electronic needle selection and their complicated trajectory, or the 3D sophisticated shaping methods by using the programming tools. Providing a study alternative to the learners, may overcome these limitations and ensure the individual teaching and learning.

The e-learning module of "Advanced Knitting Technologies", developed within the framework of the Adan2Tex project (http://www.advan2tex.eu), financed through the European Erasmus plus program, resides within the domain of the electronic flat knitting technologies. The chapter focuses on the description of the electronic flat knitting machine components and functions, main trajectories and effects. The complex nature of the loop forming mechanism has been elucidated through the animations and the simulations of the knitting elements movement on the cam tracks. The module highlights different aspects associated with the 3D shaping methods and various examples are presented, to strengthen the potential of the tri-dimensional fabrics in diverse industrial sectors, from clothing to home textile and advanced composites. In order to assess the level of the acquired knowledge, three sets of multiple choices questions, having various degrees of difficulty, have been produced and complete the entire module.

The usage of this module is potentially very large, ranging from students, high school teachers, practitioners, researchers, to the doctoral students, having the basic knowledge in knitting technology and the need of getting more knowledge in this field. The benefits of the blended teaching are multi faceted. Beside a better communication between professor and students, there is an increased understanding of the subject. A better self esteem through the personal study rhythm can be achieved, and a higher responsibility can be shifted to the student's side.
E-LEARNING DEMONSTRATIONS OF CLOTHES PATTERN ALTERATION DUE TO THE APPEARANCE OF DIFFERENT FLAWS
Authors: Avadanei Manuela , Loghin Emil constantin , Filipescu Emilia , Ionescu Irina
Published: February 2023

Social, economic and financial factors, the level of civilization and education, the appearance of new types of materials, the variety of technical and new technological solutions and IT applications determine the variation of textiles and clothing products. In nowadays, the designers must design the shape and the structure of their products in a customized manner. For clothes, where fashion has a major influence, the customized products require special tools in order to be designed: specialized personnel with all the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies and CAD systems with advanced modules of pattern making. If the same garment is dressed on different bodies, it will probably look different, due to their different shapes and the interactions between the layers of the garment with their curves. The diversity of the human bodies, the lack of experience of the personnel who works in the field of design, the technology used in the production process and the misunderstanding of the lines of the model will cause different flaws. Their correction is a complex process, which is based on the understanding of the characteristics of the model and the body shape. This paper presents demonstrations of pattern alterations meant to eliminate the flaws, as an online education and training solution for specialists from design department and/or students from the pattern and modelling master program. These demonstrations are structured from simple to complex subjects and so the learners can understand which solution is suitable for a given problem and in what conditions they must apply it.
ONLINE TRAINING SCHOOL FOR MACHINE CARPET WEAVING
Authors: Agir Yahya , Blaga Mirela , Celikel Dilan , Karabulut Mustafa
Published: February 2023

Carpet manufacturing is an important field in Europe in terms of economic and employment figures. Turkey is capable of manufacturing over %25 of whole world's carpet need while whole Europe's manufacturing share is approximately over %45. Although being a great sector in European countries, there does not exist an official education for machine based carpet weaving. Furthermore, vocations related to the carpet weaving does not exist in vocation catalogs such as ISCED (International standard classification of education) and ESCO (European Skills/Competences, qualifications and Occupations). Within a European Union funded project, which is carried by organizations from three different countries, Turkey, Romania and England, subsequent to the analysis of the relevant sector, tasks related to vocation, qualification, competency definitions and curricula development are accomplished. Afterwards, ICT based learning tools such as e-Learning and DVD software will be developed for training carpet weaving technical staff, as well as, textile students who are willing to learn about carpet weaving. Survey to analyze current status of carpet weaving training in three partner countries reveal important data about vocations existing informally in the sector and their training needs. Moreover, because carpet weaving machines are unaffordable by VET institutions, the practice of such machines at school becomes physically impossible and thus use of ICT tools such as the e-Learning approach supported by visual lessons becomes the only possible way to train individuals. Therefore, an innovative curriculum that supports use of ICT tools appears to be promising in order to overcome current problems in carpet weaving training.
PEDAGOGY AND SERIOUS GAMES
Authors: Barbieru Dragos , Radu Catalin
Published: February 2023

t can be notice that in the entire world the educational content is converting into a digital form, making such products available to anyone, anywhere and anytime. According with this trend "Carol I" National Defence University started few years ago to improve its capabilities in delivering the education and training services using the power of communication and information system. As a result was developed our own Advanced Distributed Learning System. In the present we have the capabilities to develop online course full compliant with SCORM standard, we have experience in installation and maintenance a Learning Management System and now we are able to deliver proper knowledge to those who need to know using ADL capabilities. Also, through Advanced Distributed Learning Department, our university is implicated as a coordinator in a few elearning research projects. Through this paper we try to spread our experience in developing an ADL system
t can be notice that in the entire world the educational content is converting into a digital form, making such products available to anyone, anywhere and anytime. According with this trend "Carol I" National Defence University started few years ago to improve its capabilities in delivering the education and training services using the power of communication and information system. As a result was developed our own Advanced Distributed Learning System. In the present we have the capabilities to develop online course full compliant with SCORM standard, we have experience in installation and maintenance a Learning Management System and now we are able to deliver proper knowledge to those who need to know using ADL capabilities. Also, through Advanced Distributed Learning Department, our university is implicated as a coordinator in a few elearning research projects. Through this paper we try to spread our experience in developing an ADL system
PEST ANALYSIS OF THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM FROM ROMANIAN POLICE ACADEMY. A FOCUS ON MODERN LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: Panfil Georgica
Published: February 2023

When evaluating an environment or an institution, assessing the internal and external factors to influence its evolution or its environment is very useful in understanding the mechanisms and the links or interdependencies between the same elements of the same body or the links between that environment and external world. PEST analysis offers the possibility to evaluate such institution from the point of view of the influences related to Political, Economical, Social and Technological vectors to influence that institution. In addition to that, one can easily consider to also insert other layers of evaluation, such as Legislative elements to determine changes within the external and internal climax, Environmental issues or others. Current paper is focused on understanding the way that such external vectors intersect with the development of the educational system of Romanian Police Academy ("Alexandru Ioan Cuza"), due to the fact that this type of institution has its specific deriving from its complexity and sensitivity to such factors. The main research method is the one related to case study (and not only for the institution itself, but especially the segment related to the implementation of modern technologies related to teaching-learning, as within the past periods this domain has easily proven its efficiency related to the ease of some educational processes, and even for institutional development itself) however transversal and longitudinal analysis are also tackled. The paper is also mean to provide an objective assessment of the structural and managerial realities, together with the challenges linked to how to overcome the elements that tend to harden institutional development.
EXPLAINING THE ACCEPTANCE OF FACEBOOK BY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WITH THE USES & GRATIFICATIONS THEORY
Authors: Pribeanu Costin , Balog Alexandru
Published: February 2023

Social networking websites are today part of the university students' lifestyle. This situation is challenging educators to adapt their teaching style by considering various social learning activities, such as: active participation, information and content sharing, collaboration, and debate. In order to exploit the educational potential of social media technologies is important to understand the reasons why students are using it and the relative importance of these reasons. The motives of social networking websites use have been studied from different theoretical perspectives by using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. However, there are relatively few quantitative studies that explore the reasons behind the Facebook use by university students. The Uses & Gratifications Theory (U>) explains the use of the social media technology by the fulfillment of the various needs of an active user. The aim of this research is to explore the influence of these motives on the Facebook acceptance with the uses and gratification theory. In this respect, three categories of gratifications have been included: extending the social relations, information-collaboration, and maintaining the social relations. A conceptual model has been tested and validated on a sample of Romanian university students by using the SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) methodology. The testing results revealed a good fit of the model with the data and confirm the hypothesis that each category of gratification is enhancing the intention to continue using this social networking website. This work provides new opportunities for both researchers and practitioners to take an interdisciplinary perspective when exploring the technology acceptance of the social media in learning environments.
THE ROLE OF E-LEARNING IN WORKFORCE EDUCATION
Authors: Lazaroiu George , Nica Elvira
Published: February 2023

Following Clark and Mayer (2016), this paper develops the notion that e-learning is instruction provided on a digital device, e.g. a smart phone or a laptop computer that is conceived to back individual learning or organizational performance objectives. Instructional methods that reinforce human learning mechanisms are an important component of successful e-learning courseware. E-learning has been impacted by economic requirements that aim more economical settings for training and by constant advancement of computer technology. We are specifically interested in how previous research investigated the idea that the advantages obtained from the ground-breaking technologies are determined by the degree to which they are employed in manners consonant with human cognitive learning mechanisms and contingent on research-based criteria of didactic design. E-learning seeks to produce job-transferable knowledge and abilities associated with organizational performance or to assist people in attaining personal learning objectives. Organizations depend upon e-learning to save training time and travel expenses related to established face-to-face learning (e-learning should adequately produce knowledge and skills associated with intended job outcomes). The empirical investigation described in this paper points out that e-learning provides chances to involve individuals in job-realistic settings demanding them to deal with occasional issues or accomplish tasks shortly that could take a lot of time to carry out in the real world. E-learning can be conceived to update and enhance particular job performance. The difficult task in e-learning is to establish lessons in fashions that are in harmony with human learning mechanisms. To be successful, didactic schemes should further the psychological events compulsory for learning. This research makes conceptual and methodological contributions to the theory that effective e-learning involves individuals with the didactic material in manners that stimulate the choosing, organization, assimilation, and retrieval of novel knowledge.
USING TACTILE LETTERS AS AN ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN TEACHING ALPHABET FOR DYSLEXIC CHILDREN: A CASE STUDY
Authors: Mohamad Mariam , Tan abdullah Sabrina jessica
Published: February 2023

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition, poor spelling and poor decoding abilities. Dyslexic children are having language learning disorder and makes them difficult mastering the skill to read, spell and write. This research explores the design from tactile letters to mobile application that support alphabet recognition and early reading acquisition in children, particularly dyslexic children. The research design of this study is qualitative based on case study methodology. The approach of tactile letters and mobile application which could foster learning and help dyslexic children to improve some of their fundamental skills, such as recognizing alphabet and pronunciation. This study describes the design and evaluation of an assistive technology based in lieu of teaching alphabet for dyslexic children. The combination of tactile letters and mobile application may be the ground-breaking of stimulating and interactive experience for children that could encourage the learning process.
LEARNING USING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN CONCEPTS
Authors: Popescu Doru anastasiu , Bold Nicolae
Published: February 2023

In the process of learning, concepts are keys to define and understand an entire method or a specific course. Also, within a course, concepts can have relations between them, in the sense that, for a specific concept, there is needed the understanding of previous concepts that are used at defining and explaining the current one. In an extended sense, a concept is either an action that depends on a theoretical notion (e.g., implementation of a class method), or the theoretical notion itself (e.g., class method). In the majority of cases, the process of learning can be thought as a linked path of key concepts. The learning becomes, in this way, structured. This path can be used for teaching as well as for process of assessment, the teacher making a scheme that helps in the organization of courses. In this paper we will present a model of teaching and assessment planning using the connections between notions that will be taught. We will use, in this matter, an extractor of keywords from the description of the concept or a written course itself, using a method of text analysis that will signal the presence of other notions in this description and will determine the degree of connectivity between the current concept and the other present in the database. For the process of assessment, the process is reversed: the test is build based on the degree of connectivity, resulting tests with connected items based on the link between the concepts that are used for a specific question.
EDUCATION AND CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES - THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS - CASE STUDY
Authors: Staiculescu Camelia , Razvan catalin Dobrea , Lacatus Maria liana
Published: February 2023

The preoccupation with the creation of complete educational systems, responding to the needs of their beneficiaries (pupils, students, course attendants) is now more valid than ever. The extension of school into non-traditional social spaces, the creation of new learning environments, represents a solution for the current educational needs. This article presents the results derived from an educational project which has managed to put together both the traditional learning environment, from the university, and the social-economic environment represented by the employers. The two entities acted together to contribute to the success of college graduates. The educational experiences created by the two entities aimed to develop complex educational services targeting students: traditional teaching, with the organization of learning experiences in real working environments, face-to-face, as well as on-line student guidance and tutoring, the provision of complex counselling services, at individual and at group level, both face-to-face and on-line. The work indicates the fact that there is a direct dependence between the growth in the number of students who were involved in learning experiences in real working environments, corresponding to their preparation, abilities, interests, competencies and the facilitation of transition from school to active life, reflected by the time necessary for students/ graduates to be employed in the specialty that they completed. Also, the work indicates that there is a direct relation between the increase in the complexity of information, orientation, counselling, and monitoring services provided to the students within the learning community in real working environments and the reinforcement of the partnership between the university and the social and economic environment. The impact of the educational project on the beneficiaries, future graduates of master’s degree studies, was a major one. The students developed their capacity for adjustment to the requirements of a workplace, they put into practice the matters learned in theory, they developed their learning and communication capacities, improved their career opportunities by developing specific competences on the initiation and management of their own career within orientation and counselling activities etc. The educational project presented by the article represents a best practice model which indicates the mode in which the opportunities for the start of active life can be improved, by improving communication between the students and future employers within a varied learning community, conducted in the real environment, as well as online.
USING CONSTRUCTIVIST THEORY IN E-LEARNING EFFECTIVELY
Authors: Stefan Mihaela aurelia
Published: February 2023

Constructivism is a theory of learning centered on apprenticeship in scientific knowledge of reality, bringing science as a process in school. If traditional training focus is on the teacher, on his teaching activity in order to achieve certain objectives, standardized ,in constructivism learning important is the reality known being interpreted, understood by each student's own. Under the new constructivist guidelines there is no longer focus on the reception of transmitted information, but it is intended that pupils / students to critically analyze, solve varied cooperate, teacher having the role to guide and facilitate learning activity. In this paper we assume that e-learning offers to students the opportunity to learn constructivist and vice versa, using educational situations where ICT resources are significant use, the autodidact has the ability to document himself , to obtain updated information, to enrich the vocabulary of the domain of interest, to develop strategies for building knowledge. To validate the previous assumption, the methods used were: systematic observation, questionnaire, focus group interview. From our investigative analysis approach, we split opinions/beliefs of students about the process of e-learning, we recorded systematic observations on the behavior of learning in the educational activity. This study is intended as a support, in understanding the complexity of academic learning, emphasizing the idea that the professionalization of teaching, a constructivist learning requires and develops e-learning capabilities. Passionate student of a particular area, certainly will not limitate himself to a course support, he sought to consult other virtual bibliographic sources to discover, build by multimedia, structured and focused informations.
THE USE OF E-LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES IN TRAINING PROCESS FOR WOMEN ON PARENTAL LEAVE (NEW MOMS)
Authors: Ananchenkova Polina , Kuznetsov Mikhail
Published: February 2023

E-learning is one of the innovative technologies of formation of students' professional competence. The distance learning in the Russian educational organizations has both advantages over the traditional forms of education and some peculiarities. It sets certain specific requirements for the teacher and the learner. In particular, one should keep in mind that all foreign educational resources suggest a proficient command of a foreign (primarily English) language. There are resources in the Russian Internet too that favor the formation of general cultural and professional competence. And all courses and modules are available in Russian. The most popular websites are: LendWings, Uniweb, Zillion, Universarium, etc. They offer teaching materials on business, design, photography, programming and other subjects. There are mostly free courses, pay courses can be acquired in batches (several pieces at a time within one subject). After completing the course, students are awarded certificates. The courses place emphasis on the programs, but not on individual video lectures. Upon completion, you can be awarded a university diploma, or a certificate. The Runet currently offers more than 400 training programs. Their prices vary depending on the prestige of the university and other factors. Thus, the educational innovations contribute to the expansion, implementation and use of innovative technologies of adoption of educational programs and the formation of a wide range of competencies. E-learning as an educational innovation promotes the development of competencies and is aimed to provide opportunities to citizens of the Russian Federation residing in remote and hard-to-reach areas for additional professional education.
A NEW METHOD FOR PEER ASSESSMENT IN MOOCS
Authors: Haddadi Lynda , Bouarabdahmani Farida , Berkane Tassadit , Lazib Samia
Published: February 2023

The Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) is the most recent development in open online distance learning. The fundamental characteristics of MOOCs are: Massive, the courses are designed to support a huge number of participants; Open, the courses are not required to pay a fee to participate; Online, the learners can access to courses via the Internet, and Courses, to say that these are courses with pedagogical objectives. Thus, the most challenging is designing an accurate method to evaluate and provide feedbacks, especially for open questions (especially Problem Situation), since the high number of learners. To tackle this problem, MOOCs use peer assessment techniques (known as peer grading) that suffer from a lack of credibility. In this paper, we present a new method for peer assessment in the Massive Open Online Courses, in order to improve the accuracy of grading results. Our proposition is divided into three (3) steps: clustering unit, assessment and treatment of the results. The clustering unit is the task of grouping learners with similar profiles. Clustering unit aims to group learners based on the parameters stored on learners’ modeling within the MOOCs. After the clustering unit, the learners are required to grade a small number of their peers’ tasks as part of their own task.. Afterwards, the scores are dispatched for treatments where a synthesis is given for assessment. To assess the feasibility of the proposed peer assessment, we report here the results of the tests conducted on the developed prototype.
LINKEDIN AS A RESEARCH COMPANION. ASSESSING THE LEARNING BENEFITS OF AN ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAM THROUGH A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
Authors: Matei Stefania , Rughinis Razvan , Rosner Daniel
Published: February 2023

In this paper we introduce a quasi-experimental methodology to assess the benefits of an entrepreneurial learning program, based on LinkedIn profile data. We compare the career paths of two cohorts of participants in the mentoring sessions of the Innovation Labs pre-accelerator, compared with a control group formed by persons of similar age and entrepreneurial interest who did not benefit from the added value of the mentorship program. We appraise the advantages and limitations of studying online traces of professional identity in LinkedIn public profiles. We discuss how a content analysis of LinkedIn public profiles illuminates the impact of Innovation Labs as a significant learning experience. In this sense, we present our proposed quasi-experimental method in terms of: (1) objectivity: digitally mediated factuality as a product of design; (2) narrativity: modes of subjectification through self-making practices; (3) sociality: social relations, systems of acknowledgment, and reputation building processes; (4) performativity: the role of digital traces and online inscriptions in reality construction. In order to assess the learning benefits of Innovation Labs, we take into consideration various forms of capital which are circulated on the participants’ profiles, and we reflect on processes through which social capital is converted into symbolic resources, intellectual assets and career horizons. We also explore how participation in the program is framed and described, on LinkedIn public profiles, as a significant experience in one’s professional development. Therefore, our study is significant not only in refining impact evaluation theory and research, but also in understanding how technology shapes our knowledge of the professional world, with practical implications on developing effective strategies of professional self-presentation and reputation consolidation.
CLUSTER COMPETITIVENESS PLATFORM
Authors: Cosnita Daniel alexandru , Seghedin Neculai eugen
Published: February 2023

Clusters are regional agglomerations of enterprises (industry), universities and research organisations (RDI), regional/local public authorities and other catalyst institutions gathered around common objectives and goals. Cluster models are strictly linked to measuring their competitiveness based on innovation and internationalisation, as they are regional development instruments in the first place. Several platforms are currently in use at international level measuring cluster competitiveness, created and focused on the very objective they have been defined for. The Cluster Modelling Platform proposes an integrated approach harmonising theoretic considerations and practical aspects of utility aiming at becoming an useful tool for the generation of competitive clusters based on innovation and internationalisation (1); an instrument to measure cluster competitiveness and a consultancy tool (2); a way to evaluate performance of the cluster management team (3); a flexible method allowing assessments both at cluster level and at the level of each member. The evaluation methodology considers both quantitative and qualitative aspects, taking into considerations various indicators such as turnover, exports, employment, innovation (quantitative) and geographical concentration, labour force, strategy, internationalisation and cooperation (qualitative).Qualitative aspects play a validation role, after answers given by peers are being digitalised. In the end, an analogical cluster function is being calculated. As data flow in, the function autocorrects itself in order to give accurate results. Results are being interpreted and recommendations are being provided. The tool is embedded in a user-friendly web-platform. The end beneficiaries are mainly clusters and their members but policy makers can also make a good use of it.
SOCIAL MEDIA COMPETENCES IN EDUCATIONAL FRAMEWORK
Authors: Popa Daniela , Rogozea Liliana
Published: February 2023

Information and communication technologies exert considerable pressure on the educational environment. Students’ digital skills are less widely used in the educational process for creative purpose. Although access to electronic devices is high, the digital skills of Romanian ‘students are underdeveloped. The principal aim of this research is to investigate the dimensions of social media use in educational context. To reach this purpose we investigate the level of the digital literacy competences at both Full time Bachelor’s Degree Programs enrolled students and those enrolled in the postgraduate courses. Second, we compare the level of use of social media in networking between Full time Bachelor’s Degree Programs enrolled students and students enrolled in postgraduate courses. The third aim of this study was to investigate the student perception regarding the frequency of use of social media by teachers in the teaching – learning process. The research method is based on a questionnaire survey. In research participated 107 students of which 57 students were enrolled in the Full time Bachelor’s Degree Programs and 50 students were enrolled in the postgraduate courses. The results show that the use of ITC is in the process of transition from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0. Students exchange information, use social media platforms at different levels and contribute slightly with original product in virtual environment. The investigated groups do not hold the whole range of skills necessary to fully utilize social media in the educational context. Students exchange information, use social media platforms at different levels, but they do not creatively contribute to the common knowledge in the digital environment through their own original products or by improving the quality of existing online or digital products.
ENVIRONMENTAL SENSING AND LEARNING HUMAN BEHAVIOR USING CLOUD COMPUTING AND BIG DATA TO ACT FOR A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE AND SMART HEALTH
Authors: Suciu George , Pasat Adrian , Vulpe Alexandru , Coanca Robert
Published: February 2023

Quality of life and smart health are some of the main use cases for current Internet of Things (IoT) systems. However, healthcare providers are reluctant in using sensors which are increasingly abundant in our environment and have a huge potential for application in tailored, specific and even individualized services to improve the quality of life. Furthermore, our study shows that the healthcare industry has been slow to embrace innovative technologies - such as using big data, machine learning and cloud computing for analytics - that could help them leverage their growing information assets and better learn the human behavior. In this paper, we present how making use of machine learning algorithms running on a cloud platform can be used to process big data about the biological signals of people using various types of IoT systems, including wearable devices and environmental sensors. The paper presents how all this data can be used to provide suggestions for actions to be taken to optimize the quality of life and improve health. We demonstrate that healthcare providers need big data tools to manage and analyze this huge volume of data. The main goal of the paper is to show how to convert environmental sensor data into actionable information for users to provide a healthier and safer environment, learning their behavior, thereby improving the quality of life, reducing health costs and most valuable - increase the scale of prevention. Finally, we present how data from monitoring personal indoor and outdoor environment can be aggregated and managed at different geographical levels, in order to provide statistics at city or district level.
SOCIAL MEDIA- AN ALTERNATIVE WAY WITH VARIOUS FORMS OF EDUCATION
Authors: Popescu Maria magdalena
Published: February 2023

Internet has lately become a buzz-word of daily life, of the educational and social environment, an informative tool, a transaction medium and a hidden witness for individuals' moods. Within this circle traced by internet, new media is often taken for web 2.0 or social media as little research has looked into these delineations. To differentiate from it all, New Media is the philosophy whose tangible facets are represented by web 2.0, the technology that is harnessed and saddled to education, information and socially driven actions. Web 2.0 is participative and collaborative, as the information submitted as such can be spread on a large scale and in high frequency by the users for a potentially unlimited public which can answer in various ways- with text, image, audio, video to the uploaded and shared content. Thus it greatly contributes to education and information in a different way than the "brick and mortar" type. How this new technology, new media, contributes to training in a higher education environment and which tools does it act upon, towards which targets and how effective is that all, this paper is going to answer along with means to an end in providing alternative ways for different types of education. As users we continuously learn, formally and informally, we develop and establish connections to then share what we know or we have learned from others. Networks are thus formed, networks of knowledge and individuals, of collaboration and of learning. How these networks function and what they bring along with learning and how the educational process benefits all this is to be showcased in the present paper.
PATHWAYS FOR POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACTS THROUGH DESIGNING COMMUNICATION STRATEGY AND TOOLS WITHIN ELEARNING PROJECTS
Authors: Ogrezeanu Andreea , Purcarea Anca alexandra , Ogrezeanu Andrei
Published: February 2023

The abundance of eLearning projects requires an integrated design for the communication strategy for such projects. The technological changes need to be reflected within the communication strategy and communication tools used within these projects. Inappropriately designed communication strategy could be an important generator of risks for the project, dissatisfaction for the target group (clients targeted by the eLearning project), dysfunctionalities within the project’s team, resource waste, and others similar to these. Designing communication strategy and tools is contributing to the social impact of the project in which they are used. Both extremes, allocating too many or insufficient resources to communication within eLearning projects has its own pitfalls. This paper is aiming to tackle into some of the important aspects regarding the efficient design for the communication strategy and tools. Some of the questions aiming to be answered by this paper are: what should the communication strategy for an eLearning project entail? How communication strategy and tools are linked with the social impact generated by that respective project? How detailed the communication planning should be? Who should be addressed by communication within an eLearning project? Which are the tools due to be used for communicating within an eLearning project distinguished by the phase of the project? The theoretical distinctions tackled here will be illustrated by a case study, referring to a nationwide strategic eLearning project, co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Romanian Government, under the Sectorial Operational Programme Human Resource Development (SOP HRD) in Romania. The project was implemented in partnership by the following organizations: University “Politehnica” in Bucharest (partnership leader), the Technical University “Gheorghe Asachi” in Iasi (the first two technical universities from Romania accredited for research and advanced education), Pythia International (a technical and management consultancy company in Bucharest), and CSI Piedmonte (a public consortium in Torino, Italy, specialized in IT for public administration). The main outcome of the eProf project is a number of 2000 secondary education (ISCED 2-3) teachers who graduated the training program, using interactive methods of eLearning. Communication strategy, planning and other communication tools where designed and used throughout the entire duration of the project for managing the communication with the teachers targeted by the training program provided by this project.