bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ROMANIA AND THE ELEARNING MUSICAL EDUCATION SYSTEMS
Authors: Felician Rosca , Dorgo Madalina , Struta Cristina
Published: February 2023

The musical education systems based on technology are well-known in Europe and especially in Asia and The United States of America. The countries with the most numerous online systems of musical education are Japan, Israel and The United States of America. In Romania these systems are much more modest with two universities where the system is implemented at higher education level, namely at Gh. Dima Music Academy in Cluj Napoca and Spiru Haret University in București (The Faculty of Music). Here, with all the progress that has been made, we cannot talk about notable performances in the field. At primary and secondary levels (in state schools or private schools) there are no schools where this system is used, not even partially. This paper is a research in the field comparing the level of digital musical educationin Romania and other countries, the benefits of implementing this type of musical education and the inconveniences of the eLearning musical education system in Romania. The present paper deals mainly with electronic and digital systems built in classical pipe organs, initially, in the key action and later in the stop action. Especially in the registration systems, the application of electronic and digital systems to the combination action revolutionized the organ building, the latest developments in digital technologies and systems that are used today in the manufacturing of musical instruments, especially in classical pipe organs. The sampling technology (based on pre-recordings) would necessitate, ideally, storing of significant amounts of audio material. Out of practical concerns, because of the cost factor, but also because of the technical limitations of the systems used, a compromise is usually made. More specifically, the sound recordings are very short, the sound is played back in a loop, the attack phase is synthesized and not the real attack of the pipe, there are no recordings for each individual note but only for a few notes in an octave (from one up to three or four), the others are obtained by applying digital signal processing. All these techniques are lowering the quality potential of the digital organs.
VIDEOS, CULTURE AND SIGNIFICANT LEARNING: COLOMBIAN STUDENTS SPEAK
Authors: Zhyrun Iryna
Published: February 2023

The study presents the results of a case evaluating the impact of designed audio-visual materials for English CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) course “Cultures & Societies”. The designed videos were recorded with the purpose to connect the cultural context and content of the course and make students’ learning more significant, and thus more long-term. The purpose of the study is to identify if the designed materials have achieved the goal of providing relevant content and language that would be significant to students’ lives and results in long-term learning. During the second semester of 2016 in “Cultures & Societies” English CLIL class, students were exposed to 23 designed videos-interviews and 5 videos on similar cultural topics from other authors used from the YouTube. During the first months of the course students were exposed to 3 designed videos and 3 videos from YouTube. Students (n=15) completed a survey immediately after watching each video, indicating their perceptions of the videos in terms of relevance to their lives, culture, career and language. The results of the survey demonstrated that there was no significant difference in terms of interest and relevance to the subject, as the videos were previously selected for a course. Although students indicated that they were more connected emotionally to the designed videos than other YouTube videos. A week after the semester ended, the teacher conducted semi-structured interviews with students (n=11) soliciting information about what they remembered from videos and why. The interviews were conducted in Spanish. They were transcribed and analyzed via NVIVO qualitative software. Preliminary analysis shows that designed videos do have impact on long-term learning. Students remember the content of some of the videos they were exposed to in class, even though they watched them once three months ago. They highlight the importance of familiar cultural context, truthfulness of statements in the videos-interviews, language elements important to them, and motivation to listen to people with other cultural background, making the course “different” from the rest English classes they had.
CURRICULUM AND LEARNING CONTENT MANAGEMENT BASED ON ONTOLOGIES
Authors: Olteanu Adriana , Ionita Anca daniela , Solomon Andra stefana
Published: February 2023

More and more domains are systematized by defining their entities and categories, often in a formal way, by using markup languages. This approach may be useful for conceiving and organizing the contents of an accredited course, or generally, of an educational material – either with a specific scope, like the laboratory work associated to that course – or with a large one, like popularization of science, or population awareness of various threats and vulnerabilities. This paper concerns the technology support that may be built for the correspondent learning content, if one represents the domain knowledge as an ontology, using standard languages. Particularly, we present and compare three examples for which we built ontologies and we developed learning tools based on them. The first one is related to laboratory applications for engineering students performing various measurements; it is based on an ontology for characterizing laboratory instruments, applied for modeling more than twenty devices of various complexities. The second example is in the domain of nuclear engineering; the ontology was originally conceived for the large public information regarding the territorial vulnerabilities in the proximity of nuclear plants, but it also served for 3rd and 4th year students, as it overlaps the curriculum of two bachelor courses. The third example is in the domain of Software Engineering, whose content, specified in detail in a standard body of knowledge, was represented as an ontology.
SMART EDUCATION AND SMART E-LEARNING
Authors: Pesantez pozo Carmenleocadia
Published: February 2023

Smart Education and Smart e-Learning (SEEL) represents the integration of smart technologies and tools, smart educational software and hardware systems, innovative pedagogy, advanced teaching strategies and learning methodologies and approaches tightly connected with flexibility, accessibility, openness, assessment, security, communication through modern services of social networks, collaboration and the challenges of the Information Society and the knowledge-based economy. The concept refers also to the smart e-learner modeling of next generation to work in smart learning environments based on adaptive learning programs and their educational outcomes including life skills – social, cultural, ethical, creativity, leadership as well as computer literacy and logical, analytical and critical thinking – that help to achieve success and recognition. Learning performance is determined mainly by training strategies. Virtualization trend of the real world is also reflected in traditional education – thus e-learning represents a natural tendency of evolution. By means of technologies and well-known educational institutions and publishers, Smart Education provide e-learning programs to meet the needs and interests of students, teachers and parents, as well. On the other hand, Smart Education can also be involved in charitable events and projects for the communities. Nowadays, educators strive to make e-learning more global, innovative, inclusive and learner-centered. In this context, SEEL can be regarded as a large perspective and a revolutionary concept based on Internet technologies of distance education, as a tendency of education in a near future and as a project of building a learning interactive community, designed for learning without boundaries.
STUDY REGARDING THE SPECIFIC OF BADMINTON FOOTWORK, ON DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE
Authors: Maftei Stefan
Published: February 2023

Achieving performance in badminton without developing an efficient footwork is Utopian, considering the dynamics of the game. The hypothesis of the study: we believe that badminton footwork is substantially different between each level of players' performance. The purpose of the study is to determinate the time required for players to move from the center of the court to the key points of defense in order to cover the full court and also to identify the main differences of how players move on the court regarding each level of performance. The main research methods used in the study are: bibliographical method, measurement and evaluation method, mathematical-statistical method and the graphical method. The study is realized with participation of 24 players, spanning 3 age groups and different performance levels in the national championship. The results of the study will help to research the construction of an innovative electronic device, designed to improve reaction times, speed and to help players learn the specific paths of the badminton court. The electronic device uses eight motion sensors in order to detect the players when they reach their action areas. Four sensors are placed in the corners of the half court (in badminton each player moves in his half court) and other four are placed in the middle of the courts' lines. Each sensor has a visual signal (a colored led) which is turned off when an obstacle (the players' body) reaches its action area. The device uses a microcontroller which commands the visual signals according to the difficulty of the selected program.
APPLICATION OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGY IN SPORT LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES
Authors: Stanescu Andrei bogdan , Pantea Vladioan , Patru George cristian
Published: February 2023

The way modern humans spend their free time in a healthy and relaxing manner will always be a field of research for different specialists. By working together with IT experts, they search for new solutions in the integration of mobile technology in many leisure activities, including the field of sports. The result that is being aimed at is the overall user experience and the value that new technology can add to people's hobbies. From this perspective, the paper presents an implementation model of mobile technology in fishing. Fish Buzz (device and software) delivers a modern approach to fish catching technology, suitable for both amateurs and professionals in the field. The device connects with the phone, making sure that the user gets notified whenever a fish has been hooked. The communication process is bidirectional. The phone can be used to customize different parameters that the device operates with. It is meant to help fishermen and to make their fishing experience more pleasurable, more practical and less tiring. The main characteristics of the software application are also presented in this paper. The software that has been developed is a key factor in all the functional advantages that the device can offer. The hardware part has not been neglected. Everything integrated in the device in terms of electronic components have been carefully chosen so that the model can remain simple, but powerful, cost efficient and fully functional. The accent of the paper is on the way that this kind of technology offers new perspectives in terms of added value in sport leisure time activities.
THE ROLE OF THE VISUAL IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE ACQUISITION IN E-LEARNING
Authors: Marginean Alexandra
Published: February 2023

This study investigates the way the visual element of e-learning affects English language acquisition in a higher education institution in Bucharest. We focus primarily on how it influences the psychology of the student, in comparison with both the impact of simple listening activities, and traditional teaching that does not make use of any technology. To this aim, we resorted to an inquiry made up of 8 questions, the answers to which were then processed using tables and charts. We applied it to 2 12-member groups, after Group 1 had benefited from audio (A) activities, whereas Group 2 had worked with audio-video (AV) materials. The questionnaire had two stages. The first comprised two questions concerning the likeability and learning efficiency of the seminars using A and AV means, in comparison with traditional classes, and positive feedback to these conditioned proceeding with the rest of the query. Since answers were favorable, students were required, on a subsequent day, to give their input regarding other points, which were meant to establish their psychology as a result of having attended the seminar. With e-learning, results show an increase in the amount of English knowledge acquisition, an improvement in the students’ state of mind in comparison with the feel of a classical practice course, enhanced memory and affective involvement, more courage to engage in conversations in the foreign language with strangers, a feeling that less effort was required for the fulfilment of the goal, and the creation of positive behavioral learning patterns for the future. More importantly, the gain is not only in terms of foreign language acquisition and performance, but also as far as the psychological aspects involved, such as motivation, disposition, sociability, self-confidence and sense of fulfilment.
ONLINE DICTIONARIES IN LEARNING THE GERMAN LANGUAGE - STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS
Authors: Momcilovic Nikoleta , Petrovic Dina
Published: February 2023

Intensive development of new media poses new challenges in learning and teaching foreign languages. A number of tools and online materials that support the development of language skills are available for university teachers and students. The emergence of online dictionaries significantly changed the translation process, which is for today's students faster, easier, and daily available on mobile devices such as phones, laptops, tablets. The main objective of this paper is to explore students' opinions about the use of online dictionaries for learning the German language. The research sample consists of students from the Faculty of Philosophy in Nis who study German as a second foreign language. A structured interview was used as an instrument for data collection; processing and data analysis was done by descriptive statistics. The results obtained confirm the initial hypothesis that the students use online dictionaries in learning the German language. The largest number of students used online dictionaries for translation of texts necessary for the preparation of examinations or tests, while a much smaller number of respondents use online dictionaries for the purpose of translating technical texts or materials that are not related to study purposes. The survey data show that students are informed about the benefits of using online dictionaries, such as speed, availability, better understanding, remembering new words for longer periods, as well as about the limitations relating to the lack of reliability, accuracy and precision. Conclusion is that online dictionaries are integral and indispensable part of learning foreign languages and that their use in the future most certainly will be on the rise. In this context, as the recommendation, the greater use of online vocabularies in foreign language teaching at universities is stated, which is in line with the requirements for the modernization of higher education.
QUALITY STANDARDS IN THE TRAINING OF SCHOOL MANAGERS BY USING A BLENDED LEARNING SYSTEM
Authors: Neacsu Mihaela gabriela , Adascalitei Adrian
Published: February 2023

The paper presents the results of a psycho-pedagogical analysis on the development and implementation of certain training programs in the blended learning system for school managers and identifies the quality standards needed to streamline the process of continuous training that combines both training in front of students and distance training based on the new technologies. The purpose of the paper consists in explaining the need and usefulness of implementing quality standards in the blended learning training of educational managers. Research objectives aim at: analysing the requirements which define the optimal level of carrying out the continuous training of school managers in the blended learning system; defining the main quality standards in the, implementation and evaluation of programs for the continuous training of school managers in the blended learning system. There were assessed the facilities provided by certain electronic platforms for school managers distance training, the relevance of the architecture of certain training programs for school managers in Romania and of certain contents of remote training, facilitating access to training materials etc. Moreover, there were identified the categories of difficulties encountered by certain national training providers in the blended-learning training of school managers. The conclusions of this paper highlight important aspects of improving the process of continuous training of school managers in Romania to increase the quality of continuous training activities and performance management.
IS MEDICAL EDUCATION READY TO USE BLENDED LEARNING TO GAIN CLINICAL SKILLS?
Authors: Andruseac Gabriela gladiola , Costuleanu Carmen luiza , Boldureanu Gabriela , Murgu Alina , Boldureanu Daniel
Published: February 2023

The integration of educational technology into teaching for meaningful learning is an issue for all educators to consider. Blended learning is a formal educational paradigm which combines, at least in part, face-to-face delivery of content and instruction assisted by digital and online media with some degree of student control over time, place, path or pace. Blended learning itself is a simple process but it does have certain more complex aspects. It is simple because it integrates face-to-face learning with online learning, with complexity arising from limitless design possibilities and its applicability in different contexts. The medical field is a special field that shows specific features of which the specialists in educational sciences must be aware and for which they must identify the best solutions in order to implement a modern and efficient medical education. Currently, medical students have a wide array of choices in what regards the way in which medical knowledge is delivered to them. In recent years, more and more online platforms of blended learning began to emerge, structured in different ways. The knowledge base itself is not limited to certain medical topics. There are many online options which offer courses in a variety of medical fields, ranging from simple tutorials to actual university level courses and virtual simulations. In medical universities, more than traditional teaching and supervised patient care, blended learning technologies allow individual and collaborative learning by providing relevant trainee-directed, case based learning and assessment. This paper aims to make an analysis of the most appropriate blended learning methods which can be used to improve medical education.
IMPACT OF 132731 POSDRU PROJECT ON SCHOOL EDUCATION CURRICULA THAT USE ICT TECHNOLOGIES AND E-LEARNING: EXPERIENCE OF THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY "GHEORGHE ASACHI" OF IASI
Authors: Rusu Ioan , Adascalitei Adrian , Bacaita Elena simona , Rusu Oana
Published: February 2023

Project "Improving the theoretical and practical education for teachers in the use of modern educational technologies in teaching physics and technical disciplines" POSDRU/157/1.3/S/132731 was designed as a national strategic partnership, involving six Teacher Training Centers from Moldavia Region of Romania, coordinated by the Technical University "Gheorghe Asachi" of Iași. The project aims to achieve the necessary framework to adapt technical teaching, in an environment marked by the digital revolution, by implementing modern educational tools and ICT technologies in teaching and learning activities. The paper analyses the consequences of the Project on school education curricula and on both teachers and students from schools around East region of Romania. Quality e-Learning applied to technical education activities have to improve: engagement of learners; acknowledgement of learning context; challenge for learners and the involvement of practice. Fundamentals of continuous training of teachers were put through: expansion of teaching and learning techniques using support offered by ICT and the educational platforms of "blended-learning" and/or e-Learning, used as integrated tools for managing teaching. Teachers benefit from using virtual environment, provided by Project platform, based on Moodle software. Thus, teachers obtained theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for the use of ICT technologies, by integrating interactive teaching and learning techniques and computer-mediated communication. It is analyzed the opportunity and the possibility of implementing an e-Learning system in school education and its impact on both teachers and students. The paper examines a variety of determinants that influence technology acceptance and successful implementation of a Virtual Learning Environment in schools. It was obvious that teacher attitudes to the implementation of those technologies in school are tied to their attitudes and responses to national objectives in education and national strategies for reshaping learning.
THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPLEMENTING A NEW EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM TYPE SIMULATOR IN NEONATOLOGY SPECIALIST EXAM
Authors: Luca Catalina , Doru Andritoi , Corciova Calin , Ciorap Radu
Published: February 2023

In this work we present the results of implementing a new educational system type simulator in a sensitive area, where the practice is quite difficult to realize- neonatology. Neonatology is the latest branch of medicine, drawn from pediatrics that deals with newborn care. High-fidelity simulation is an effective tool in teaching neonatal resuscitation skills to professionals. In this paper we present our experience in medical examining staff using a high fidelity simulator. For the first time in Romania, at the beginning of 2016 a team of medical bioengineering together with teachers from discipline Neonatology at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa" Iasi, introduces a new practical test within examination for obtaining the title of specialist in neonatology - practical test on the simulator.
MODELING OF SANGUINE FLOW IN DIFFERENT VASCULAR DISEASES
Authors: Ilea Mihai , Arotaritei Dragos , Rotariu Mariana , Turnea Marius
Published: February 2023

Modelling and simulation of vascular architecture aims at locating potential vascular pathologies which cannot be observed by direct visualization of the angiography. Arteriovenous vascularization has two basic functions: the first one is the distributive function and the other one consists in the hemodynamic concepts. This paper approaches the study of fractal properties based on hemodynamic function. Arterial and venous vascular tree is designed to perform both functions, but it is very important to make the distinction between them, because they are carried out by different parts of the vascular pressure and venous structures. While the distributive function is linked to the geometric appearance of the vascular tree, the hemodynamic one is related to the dynamics of the blood flow. Previous studies of fractal character of the vascular tree have focused in particular on the distributive function. This paper approaches the study of fractal properties based on hemodynamic function. The simulation of blood flow and pressure in compliant vessels requires the definition of three differential equations. In order to build a structural tree at the level of large arteries terminals, the characters of small vessels must be modeled. The relevant parameters are the radius, bifurcation, asymmetry and area ratio, length and compliance. The mathematical model of uncontrolled circulation can be used in multiple cases: (a) to study the properties of flow self-regulation, irrespective of external control mechanisms; (b) to explain the need for external control mechanisms; (c) to serve as foundation for the construction of a simple model to control the flow. With the help of MatLab software, it was possible to build a graphical user interface to display and process ultrasound images and to simulate the mathematical calculation of the blood flow. This interface is based on two modules: one for acquisition and image processing and the second one for measurement and analysis registration. The modules highlight the modification of the parameters when the patient has cardio vascular diseases and teach the user to make the difference between a normal and a pathological disposition.
AN ANALYSIS OF ELECTRO-OCULOGRAM SIGNALS PROCESSING USING AN ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK
Authors: Nagy Robertbela , Vesselenyi Tiberiu , Popentiu vladicescu Florin
Published: February 2023

Electro-oculograms (EOGs) are signals generated by the movement of the muscles around the user's eyes when the eyes are moving. These signals can be registered by Ag/AgCl electrodes adhered to the user's skin and coupled to a data acquisition device (usually an analog-to-digital converter) and used in different control applications by perfectly healthy or even by disabled people. In this application, we recorded the EOG signals with a 24-bit, 4 channel, 51.2 kS/s per channel sampling rate analog-to-digital converter (ADC), from which we used only 3 input channels, analyzed these signals generated by intentional horizontal and/or vertical movements and also blinking by recording EOG signals from the test subject's eye. The signals for left, right, up and down movements were acquired, filtered and normalized, after which an Artificial Neural Network (ANN), using supervised learning, was trained to classify these recorded signals. MATLAB's ANN was used and in this application we analyzed the obtained results from the classifier and also the possibility to apply this type of signal classification method in order to use it for a portable device which would be used to help disabled people (who still are able to move their eyes) to communicate simple instructions to a computer system or a robotic device. This system can be used also by healthy users, providing them a new way of communication and/or control of different electronic devices, other than the existing usual human communication and/or control channels. The reasons to use EOG signals over EEG signals is that the latter are very prone to electrical noises and also the EEG electrodes are more numerous, is harder to mount them correctly and can be uncomfortable to the user.
OBSERVATIONS OF STUDENTS - FUTURE PRESCHOOL TEACHERS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES OF ACQUIRING PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES THROUGH CONTEMPORARY TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: Jeremic Biljana , Markov Zagorka , Vasiljevicprodanovic Danica
Published: February 2023

The development of technology contributes to the rapid flow of information that affects all areas of social life. Contemporary preschool teachers, of the 21st century, are expected to follow all contemporary events related to their profession and implement them in their practice. It is necessary that they adapt their teaching style to the individual needs and interests of preschool children. In this context, preschool teachers need to have lifelong training in order to acquire expert and professional competencies and be recognized on the labour market as professionals who meet the criteria stipulated by the set standards. It is impossible to imagine a contemporary preschool teacher who does not use contemporary technologies in order to gain additional expert and professional competencies for working with preschool children. Nowadays, pedagogical record-keeping, planning, programming, realization of educational work and evaluation are all carried out with the use and support of contemporary technologies. Accredited trainings of preschool teachers and other educational workers can be realized through e-learning. The aim of this paper is to determine the observations of students – future preschool teachers about the possibilities of acquiring professional competencies through contemporary technologies. As a research problem, an issue arises as to whether the respondents already, during the course of their studies, acquire additional knowledge through contemporary technologies in order to advance their knowledge related to theoretical concepts and practical work. The sample included 200 respondents, students of undergraduate and specialist studies. A questionnaire was constructed for the needs of the research which was used in conducting a survey of students in November 2017. The results of the research show significant statistical differences regarding the responses of preschool teachers to several items. The research results suggest that students (future preschool teachers) need to be instructed in the direction of raising their awareness about the possibilities of using contemporary technologies with an aim of acquiring expert and professional competencies for a better quality of implementation of educational work in their future profession. The task of their university teachers is to point out the requirements of lifelong learning and the possibilities of contemporary technologies starting from their first year of studies and facilitate the acquisition of knowledge for them, in order to strengthen their expert and professional competencies. It should be kept in mind that students will implement educational work in the most sensitive population, and that this topic and these issues should be approached with the utmost care and at the highest levels.
LEARNING TO DRIVE CARS IN LARGE CITIES
Authors: Pavaloiu Ionel bujorel , Yassine Mohamed mzoughi , Vasilateanu Andrei , Goga Nicolae
Published: February 2023

Current advances in computer gaming, including in design and technology, simplify and stimulate the research in gamification of processes and activities from "serious" domains like complex physical, economic or social systemsdomains like complex physical, economic or social systems. Driving simulators have been used for a long time both for entertainment and as risk-free training for current or future drivers. In the last years, they have been used in the auto industry to monitor the driver behaviour and response to different stimuli to improve the human-car interfaces. We are describing in this paper the "City Transportation and Logistics" application that simulates the participation of a driver in the traffic of a large city. The application is focused on realistic car driving and on simulating a variety of road and traffic situations. Several roles from the application and the benefits the game offers to the player are presented. The car simulator makes possible the training of the basic driving skills, including manoeuvres like parking and tests the observance of road signs and traffic lane markings. The player learns how to drive on different types of roads, including signalled and unsupervised crossings. The driving can take place at different moments of day and various weather conditions. The player can choose a city to get familiar with and the simulator will render scenes from that city. Professional drivers such as delivery men can get accustomed with vehicles like vans or pickup trucks and will learn better the city and the release procedures for specific customers. Particular emphasis is laid on the extensibility of the application, allowing the users or developers to add new vehicles, scenarios or rules.
A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE STUDENTS` PERCEPTION REFERRING TO THE ELEARNING PLATFORM FROM ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA POLICE ACADEMY
Authors: Panfil Georgica
Published: February 2023

Current paper concerns a recent analysis developed within Alexandru Ioan Cuza Police Academy. The study, developed thru 2017 (during three months period) is mainly focused on the questionnaire method and is concentrated on a survey related to the degree of satisfaction linked to the usefulness, degree of usage, positive and negative aspects, as well as the main improvements related to the eLearning platform used by Alexandru Ioan Cuza for the training of students from distance-learning modules. The questions used both "open" and "closed" systems, as they were physically applied to different categories of students. The distance-learning module is of a high interest for the tackled institution, as it is one of the limited ways for constables to become superior police officers directly, following a three-year course. As most of the modules are based on the e-tutoring system and most of the materials are available online (except, for example, the classified contents), this platform represents a very important resource for the students enrolled to such course. The usefulness of such study is mainly related to the identification of the main strengths and minuses of the platform or its administration, contents, usability etc. Furthermore, the study also contains main aspects to be improved, as well as suggestions for further development for this platform, as it is expected that within the near future, the number of enrolled students to be increased (the Ministry of Internal Affairs` development strategy is focused on a superior number of graduates for the distance-learning module, making it the main source of superior officers promoted from constables).
MULTIMEDIA APPLICATION DESIGNED TO CREATE E-LEARNING CONTENT FOR VIDEO COMPRESSION AND EDITING
Authors: Radescu Radu , Preda Bogdan andrei
Published: February 2023

This article aims to create a theoretical and practical support for video engineering through an e-learning editing and video compression application. The original contribution is a new perspective of learning the basic practical skills of video signal processing: representation, editing and compression. The e-learning content application has a main menu with three categories and it is divided into 10 work areas. The application is flexible, accepting additions and enhancements to the video formats or codecs. The concepts of format, wrapper, and container refer to the same thing: a software entity that contains one or more codecs inside it. Even though it has a number of shortcomings and modern times have brought to market a number of media formats (Matroska, MP4 or OGG) without its shortcomings, AVI is still the most popular media format due to ease of use and modification, such as and due to a the very good of the quality/resources ratio. The video editing case study in online learning proposed in this paper has important educational features, helping users to learn video processing and to acquire basic skills in video engineering, based on nonlinear video editing and modular construction. As for performances, the application provides good response times for cutting, black-and-white conversion, file merging, and webcam capture. Very good response times are also gained in fast frame shuffle, snapshot capture, data compression, and video capture. The application interface is very simple and easy to use, with clear and explicit menus, intuitive and strategically placed buttons. It is studied at the Information Technology & Computer Systems Master program from the University "Politehnica" of Bucharest, within the laboratory classes of Multimedia Equipment and Technologies.
DESIGNING NEW LEARNING SCENARIOS FOR MULTI-CAMPUS LARGE CLASSES IN MATHEMATICS
Authors: Stoica George adrian , Stockert Robin
Published: February 2023

NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology) has expanded into the largest university in Norway after a fusion process involving 3 other higher education institutions. Today it consists of three campuses located in Trondheim, Ålesund and Gjøvik. The three locations are situated from each other at large enough distance so as to make commuting impractical. An introductory course in mathematics is taken by large numbers of students admitted to all three locations – that is about 500 to 600 in Trondheim and 100-150 in the other two locations. The paper investigates the different strategies and elements that might be included in order to obtain a good learning scenario which supports synchronized multi-campus class interaction and teaching. Some of the elements to be taken into consideration are: good planning, production, adaption and distribution of teaching materials, learning management systems features, flipped learning, blended learning, real-time feedback / monitoring / assessment of the students, training and support for both students and teachers. The individual elements can take many forms. For example, teaching materials could be small instructional videos, three dimensional simulations depicting function graphs and surfaces, micro lectures and quizzes and so on. The main aim of the designed learning scenario is to bridge the geographical gaps by applying a novel blend of pedagogy and technology in order to create and support a learning space which enables students’ active learning and promotes efficient cross campus collaboration and communication. One important pillar of the design is the PST (Pedagogy – Space - Technology) framework which can be used in the whole process starting with design and continuing with the implementation, use and evaluation.
BUILDING MOTIVATION BY INVOLVING STUDENTS IN LAB-RELATED TASKS THROUGH SOFTWARE AND AUTOMATIZATIONS
Authors: Chiseganegrila Anamaria , Chiseganegrila Ciprian gabriel
Published: February 2023

The importance of research in the academic environment cannot be denied since it prepares students for their future positions. In a period of rapid advances in science and technology, chemical labs have to provide students with a number of tools that will assist them in their future development in the industrial field. Programming, simulation of processes and automatization will offer the necessary means, involving students not only in the experiments, but also in their preparation. On the one hand, simulation of processes using specialized software (COMSOL, PROII, MATHCAD etc.) will provide students with a platform where the chemical processes can be predicted so that they will have a glimpse of the behavior of a certain experiment. On the other hand, automatizations will ease the process by allowing the control of certain parameters, making readings via sensors, acting on others by using output devices (relays, breakers, motors, lab analysis devices and equipment, etc.) or by data recorded for later analysis. In addition, by encouraging students to participate in lab-related tasks, they will take control over their learning, having a more accurate insight into the processes involved in experimentation. In addition, they will become more self-confident and willing to work in groups, cooperate and exchange ideas with their peers, situation that will benefit their future careers. Therefore, making students active participants in their learning (by using specific software and simple automatizations) will result in a positive impact on their overall achievement by building motivation and providing them with valuable information related to the chemical processes.
LEARNING PROCESS CONTROL AUTOMATION THROUGH A SMARTPHONE APPLICATION
Authors: Niculescufaida Oanacarmen , Chenaru Oana , Geampalia Giorgiana , Florea Gheorghe
Published: February 2023

Because of the accessibility of smartphones, students tend to spend more and more time using applications on these devices. This can be exploited in the development of new teaching applications, turning learning into something more attractive, and increasing the knowledge assimilation capacity. An important indicator in the evaluation of serious games is the experience gathered by the players in different stages of interaction between them and the context of the game. The main aim of the paper is to present a mobile application that implements the behaviour of industrial processes, in our case a thermo-electric power plant. This graphical application is developed as a game, optimized for Android devices. The player can execute specific commands for controlling the plant: turning on or off equipment like coal mills, water pumps, combustion air vents, he can change the functioning regime, and he can configure the parameters for automatic control. He must supervise the correct operation of the plant and interfere in case of emergency situations. The application simulates the real time for a predefined period and keeps the student active and connected to the process during this entire time. The level of optimisation achieved at the end of this period can even be used as a score for evaluation of his practical abilities. This application will help students understand the physical and chemical factors involved in the plant’s functioning and how their decisions can affect the performance. They will learn not only how to tune control loops, but also how their decisions can affect the plant stability, rejection of perturbations, and optimal operation. As the game fundaments effects resulting from real time decisions, an important aspect to be considered is the correct implementation and fast rendering of the computations needed for the real physical processes simulation. The developed system can be improved by adding new functionalities, like simulations of major system failures caused by hazardous situations and can be adapted for real operators training. The proposed method adapted from game-based teaching provides important benefits in this field from traditional methods.
INFORMATICS SYSTEM FOR SELECTION OF CLAMPING SURFACES OF WORKPIECES IN MACHINING FIXTURES
Authors: Seghedin Neculai eugen , Dragos Chitariu
Published: February 2023

Fixtures are used for orientation and positioning of workpieces in various machining, control, assembly operations. According to 12S (twelve steps) design methodology, the activity of conception and design of fixtures has strong creative character. This character is determined by the possibility of selection of optimal fixture variant, form a large variety of fixtures. The optimal solution is searched for each main component of the fixture. The methodology allows the generation, in scientific manner, of the solution space, in a larger and larger number in order to increase the possibility of determining the optimal solution. Clamping is the technological phase where orientation and positioning scheme is conserved during machining. The clamping stage consists in applying a force system on the workpiece, in a certain succession on a single or multiple surfaces of the workpiece. The clamping forces are applied only on certain surfaces, entitled clamping surfaces. By clamping forces are understood the actual surfaces and also edges or tightening points. The paper presents an informatics system for selection of clamping surfaces, according to certain criteria. The system allows highlighting of all workpiece surfaces and for each surface an evaluation is made according to the mentioned criteria. Each surface will be characterized by a weighted average that will allow ranking of all surfaces. Also, for each surface the application of forces can be simulated. Thus, it can be visualized the effect of the clamping scheme and the stability, deformation, clamping precision of the workpiece can be assessed. In this way, the optimal clamping surfaces on which the clamping forces will act can be selected.
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPUTER METHODS IN BIOMEDICINE - THE ANALIZATION BETWEEN HRV AND TYPES OF EXERCISE
Authors: Luca Catalina , Corciova Calin , Matei Daniela
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the reliability of short term recordings (5 minutes) of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and the association between HRV and type of exercise, using an advanced computer software. For this study short term electrocardiogram recording was acquired during supine for 10 min using the BIOPAC MP 150 data acquisition system. AcqKnowledge Softwareversion 4.1.1. (BIOPAC Inc., Goleta, CA, USA) was used to analyze and remove from the recorded ECG all artefacts and ectopic beats. Kubios HRV(R)Analysis Software 2.0 for Windows (The Biomedical Signal and Medical Imaging Analysis Group, Department of Applied Physics, University of Kuopio, Finland) was used to generate the HRV parameters. Data acquisition was performed in a quiet room with temperature between 20 and 220C. The data were recorded between 9 and 10 am, after an adaptation period of 15 minutes. All individuals were asked to avoid caffeine and alcohol 24 hours before the tests. HRV time and frequency domain parameters during rest were calculated on 10 (6 males and 4 females) and after 10 minute of static exercise and 10minutes of dynamic exercise, using Kubios HRV(R)Analysis Software 2.0. HRV is a non invasive assessement method of the autonomic nervous system activity which regulates heart rate (HR). The conclusion of our study was that there is a relation between HRV and type of exercise. Kubios HRV(R)Analysis Software correlated very well the values with the referent method among healthy volunteers and may be used by researchers for HRV studies. Together with a modern heart rate monitor capable of recording RR intervals this freely distributed program forms a complete low-cost HRV measuring and analysis system.
FREE ONLINE EDUCATION - THE FUTURE OF A BETTER WORLD?
Authors: Condruzbacescu Monica
Published: February 2023

The paper focuses on the concept of free online education. It took over 100 years for courses sold in America from door to door to reach the stage they are today, but the evolution of the latest educational platforms, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) was much faster. MOOC are courses offered by various entities (teachers, departments of universities, museums, institutes) that can be attended online by an unlimited number of people. Most are free and in addition to video and other teaching materials (case studies, written explanations) they make available platforms for interaction between participants so that they can benefit from discussions with people worldwide. The idea of ​​open education has conquered hundreds of educational institutions, especially in higher education and adult education institutions worldwide. “Giving away knowledge for free” is a revolutionary idea that attracts students, scares publishing houses and challenges educational organizations that see knowledge as a product being their core business. A challenge for top universities is to offer the most interesting online courses for free, not only as a service to humanity, but also as a way of investigating how people learn. Some examples of such Romanian platforms are: Mooc.ro, Unicampus.ro. The paper also presents some foreign online initiatives that have the potential to transform life on Earth: Khan Academy, a platform founded by Salman Khan, one of the pioneers of online education; Udacity, the latest attempt to make quality education accessible to all; Coursera, OpenupEd, Europeanschoolnetacademy. The conclusion of the paper is that online education is not a new concept and is certainly not a completed process. The proportions reached in recent years, however, suggest that there is the chance of emerging economies, of many poor communities worldwide, but also the sustainable perspective for the future of global education. If a few years ago higher education offered by top universities of the planet was just a dream for the vast majority, now professors of these institutions teach for free on online platforms. Nowadays, education through online medium facilitates access to resources once reserved for the elite of the world, and also aims to prepare as many employees as possible for the labor market’ demands of the future.