bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ECLASSROOM TANDEM - DEVELOPING TANDEM AS A MODEL FOR SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING IN A SCHOOL CONTEXT
Authors: Engberg Charlotta , Porn Michaela , Karjalainen Katri
Published: February 2023

PhD-student Charlotta Engberg,
Professor Michaela P?rn &
PhD Katri Karjalainen

The aim of the paper is to describe the challenges in developing Classroom tandem as a model for second language education for virtual learning environments in Finland. Finland is officially a bilingual country, where both the Finnish-speaking and the Swedish-speaking language groups are taught parallelly in monolingual schools according to the law. However, both language groups learn the other second national language as a subject in school.

Classroom tandem as an instruction model for second language education was introduced in Finland in 2012, based on tandem as a language learning model, meaning that two persons learn the languages of each other in reciprocal cooperation and thereby switch languages. The tandem partners act in turns as the learning part in their second language and as the model and support in their first language. (Karjalainen, P?rn, Rusk & Bj?rkskog, 2013). Tandem is divided into face-to-face tandem and eTandem (Brammerts & Calvert, 2003; K?tter, 2002). Classroom tandem relies strongly on physical face-to-face meetings. However, these meetings are not possible to organize in all schools in Finland, due to the lack of closely located Finnish- and Swedish-speaking partner schools. Therefore, eClassroom tandem is now being developed in cooperation with language teachers as an applied virtual form of Classroom tandem.

The challenge in developing eClassroom tandem mainly includes issues dealing with technology, task design and virtual cooperation between tandem partners. In order to increase the understanding of potentially existing virtual cooperation in all Swedish-speaking upper secondary schools in Finland with Finnish-speaking schools and schools abroad, a survey (based on interviews with 34 principals in 2015) was made. The results show that the most typical form of cooperation is however physical visits between schools, while extended virtual cooperation is rare. According to the principals' view the cooperation is however not always pedagogically organized, and therefore there is a need to pedagogically develop the virtual cooperation practices for language education. One possible model for this cooperation is eClassroom tandem, which increase the opportunities for second language learning in authentic situations with students of the same age, even in strongly monolingual areas.

Brammerts, H. & Calvert, M. (2003). Att l?ra genom kommunikation i tandem. In B. Jonsson (Ed.). Sj?lvstyrd spr?kinl?rning i tandem. En handbok. Rapport nr 13 (p. 31-43). H?rn?sand: Department of Humanities, Mid Sweden University.

Karjalainen, K., P?rn, M., Rusk. F. & Bj?rkskog, L. (2013). Classroom tandem-Outlining a model for Language Learning and Instruction. Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 6 (1), 165-184.

K?tter, M. (2002). Tandem learning on the Internet: Learner interactions in virtual online environments (MOOs). Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang.
TEXTBOOKS AND LITERATURE FROM COMPUTER SCIENCE AS EDUCATIONAL BARRIERS IN THE TEACHING COMMUNICATION
Authors: Grujic Tamara , Krneta Ljiljana , Ivanic Ivana
Published: February 2023

Barriers in teaching are defined as all nuisances between the factors of the teaching process. Nuisances hamper the teaching process and affect the quality of educational communication and learning outcomes. The information won't become a part of student's knowledge, because he/she can't imagine it and understand it. Overcoming communicational barriers is everyone's need and obligation, this particularly applies to the people who are responsible for establishing the effective communication system. Depending on the criteria, barriers are classified as psychological, linguistic, educational, social, economic, technical and other barriers.
Teaching in general, and the teaching of computer science can be organized and therefore studied in terms of cybernetic didactic theory, in other words, system's theory and communication models. In the teaching of Computer Science, educational barriers are in the form of complex, too extensive and outdated textbooks, as well as unavailable actual technical literature. The conclusions of the paper are derived from the research conducted on students from high and technical schools in Vojvodina. The sample includes high schools in several towns, while the pilot study additionally includes elementary schools. As independent appraisers, students of the University of Novi Sad give their opinion about educational barriers in high schools.
In computer science teaching, several types of barriers were detected by students' evaluations and assessments based on interviewing techniques. The detected language barriers have low intensity, they permeate all other barriers: educational, psychological, technical, ergonomic, socioeconomic, and they vary depending on the demographic characteristics of the respondents. This paper points to the language barriers in teaching computer science, and also in IT education through systems theory and communication processes.
Data were analyzed using statistical methods. For determining variables' interrelation, the multiple-regression factor analyses by Gutman-Kaiser criterion was applied.
FACEBOOK AS A SUPPORT TO STUDENTS LEARNING GERMAN AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Authors: Momcilovic Nikoleta , Petrovic Dina
Published: February 2023

There is no doubt that university students represent a population that is particularly sensitized to the use of social networks, including Facebook, as the most popular. Students usually use Facebook for the purposes of entertainment, but also for communication and gaining new information that promotes and enhance the quality of the learning process in different areas. A large number of studies in developed countries indicate the benefits of Facebook in the area of cooperative learning and the exchange of information and learning materials in social, technical sciences, as well as in the sciences of language. Consequently, the aim of this study is to determine students' attitudes about using Facebook for learning German as a foreign language.
Data obtained on a selected sample of 110 students of the Faculty of Philosophy and the Faculty of Law, University of Nis, who learn German as a foreign language, confirmed the initial hypothesis that Facebook provides significant support to the learning process. Data show that a large percentage of surveyed students used Facebook communication for the exchange of different content and information, learning materials such as translations, professional texts and others. According to the survey there are no differences in the attitudes of students in relation to the independent variables (belonging to the department and years of study), which supports the view that students actively use Facebook, regardless of the subject they study, and whether they are freshmen or senior. Research findings, however, suggest that students still do not sufficiently exploit the advantages of Facebook and the new technologies that support the development of quality learning. In order for this issue to be resolved, greater involvement across the entire higher education system is required.
PLAGIARISM PERCEPTION WITHIN ROMANIAN POLICE ACADEMY - A CASE STUDY
Authors: Panfil Georgica , Coroiu Viorel , Ruiu Marin , Doncea Alexandra
Published: February 2023

Current paper tackles the issues related to plagiarism phenomenon as it is perceived by the students of Alexandru Ioan Cuza Police Academy. The content is related to a research that has been developed in 2014-2015 among the students using transversal analysis as the main research method. It is well known that plagiarism represents a threat for current society, but unfortunately it has to be said that it also represents a reality especially when referring to academic environments. Furthermore, one could state the fact that the idea of plagiarism is both tolerated and supported by some categories of persons, some of them from the position of beneficiary - either the person involved in the act itself, either the person to gain some advantages resulting from a plagiarized paper, article, book etc. The authors of the paper have developed the study using questionnaires applied to different types of students from the specific environment of Romanian Police Academy. As such, groups of students (cadets) from first year of study, second year and from the final year were involved in this research. Also, a group of students involved in one of the master programs developed by the institution were used for the questionnaire, with accent on students that have previously graduated the Academy. Another interesting evaluation is a comparative one between the master students originating from civilian society and those that are hired within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The study is illustrated with diagrams and has am important part of research interpretation and conclusions.
STATISTICAL SOFTWARE FOR EDUCATIONAL RESEARCHES
Authors: Puchianu Crenguta , Ionescu Anata flavia , Caprioara Daniela , Popovici Dorin mircea
Published: February 2023

The importance of scientific research in the educational sciences is supported by the pace of change in society. The objectives of this research are radiography, knowledge, understanding and interpreting specific processes and phenomena in the field of education. To achieve its goals, research must comply with certain standards and principles of scientific quality. This paper presents a software application useful in the design, deployment and exploitation of scientific researches. The objective of the system development has been the acquisition and/or enhancement of skills of the students from Bachelor and Master in Education Sciences in the design, organization, development and exploitation of scientific research. The software system consists of four modules: the first one provides the base structure of the research designs; the second module manages questionnaires and their validation (testing the distribution of item answers and the questionnaire fidelity); the third one deals with statistical processing (by applying many statistical computations and tests) and interpretation of data; the last module provides the base structure of a scientific paper that contains the results obtained in the course of scientific research. The system provides RTF and Microsoft Word documents which are opened at the request of the user to see the current structure of the research project. In addition, the system displays several charts (histograms and pies) of the data. The software system has been tested by the students and professors of the Psychology and Educational Sciences faculty. We claim that this system is an original software tool useful to teachers in the design and development process of quality education.
DISTANCE LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES IN CORPORATE TRAINING: EXPERIENCE BY RUSSIAN COMPANIES
Authors: Ananchenkova Polina , Ponomareva Elena
Published: February 2023

Distance learning has solidly taken its niche in the market for corporate education programs, and this is not accidental. Studies of corporate experience show that the key ideas of using distance learning technologies in the corporate environment proceed from the specifics of company activities and their orientation at improving their own efficiency:
o reducing the cost of organizing training for staff;
o rational time usage for employees included in the corporate training system;
o accumulating, constantly updating and systematizing corporate knowledge.
The article presents results of a survey conducted among 120 specialists responsible for personnel training within their companies (114 entities in total).
One third of the respondents (32%) has stated that their companies already use distance learning technologies; another 48% still have not implemented distance learning methods but are planning to do so in near future. Only 20% respondents said their companies are not using distance learning and are not planning to do in the foreseeable future.
Most companies using distance learning technologies (71%) are attracted by the chance to cover a wider audience. Most respondents' companies have remote offices in various regions, so using distance learning is a convenient form of training for them. Another important factor for them is saving the employees' time - this advantage was mentioned by 53% of the respondents. Employees can pass the training right at their workplace, without leaving the work processes. Distance learning format also means no need to engage trainers - this advantage was mentioned by 38% of the respondents. Not all companies can afford expensive outside specialists, and distance learning, which is cheaper than in-person sessions, is the best option for them. Companies opening their own training centers can also benefit from distance learning, as it saves the staff trainers' time.
According to the study, 33% of the respondents use the services of third-party e-learning providers; 37% use their own resources only, while 30% use both third-party services and their own capabilities. Among those who engage third-party providers, 29% work with a single training provider, 35% - with two, and 36% - with three or more.
Most often distance learning technologies are used in sales training - this was mentioned by 51% of the respondents. They are also commonly used in general management (27%) and finance area (26%).
Most employees using distance learning in the companies surveyed are middle managers (86%). Specialists (71%) and top managers (64%) are also trained using this method.
Facing deficit of time, most companies (47%) allocate 4 to 9 hours a month to employee training. Some companies (24%) give more attention to this aspect, so 10 to 19 hours are allocated to distance learning in these companies.
TOPOLOGY OF DISTANT LEARNING PLATFORMS IN ELT
Authors: Kovaleva A. , Anchugova Olga
Published: February 2023

Digital educational platforms are widely used in improving the quality of language learning, blended education and managing distance teaching. There are different types of digital platforms which are aimed at specific aspects of language teaching: opened, partly opened and closed. Knowledge of potentials, advantages and disadvantages of these platforms helps to organize the educational process. Many usual methods of teaching can be computerized. Most work that we conduct during language teaching includes reading, writing, listening and grammar exercises can be conducted with the help of digital environment. This technology provides access to the resources any time, makes them available any place and expands opportunities of language learning. Platforms individualize language learning tuning the interface of exercises, speed of work and offering many various tasks with different types of check. They assist students' communication all over the world and make international exchanges possible. Platforms have similar core but each one has some specific features to attract users. Some of them are accessible only for authorized teachers and students. They are closed platforms with strict plan of course and without possibility of change. Partly opened platforms with opportunity of uploading necessary additional materials. Both these platforms are paid but provide participants with course, materials and support. Opened platforms are free and any concerned user can create the course. These platforms are suitable exactly for teachers with much educational material and wish to collect it on one contemporary resource for fast access and updating. Most platforms require different skills and of computer knowledge for manipulating smooth uninterrupted educational process and achieving the aims.
E-EDUCATION AND E-TRAINING ADAPTATION POSSIBILITIES AMONG TRAINEES OF MEDIA REPORTING IN CRISES SITUATION
Authors: Barovic Vladimir
Published: February 2023

In 2014, Republic of Serbia was hit by severe flooding causing death to fifty-seven civilians, evacuation of 31,879, and the damage greater then 1.7 billion euros. It has been determined that during these floods significant number of journalists and media hasn't been reporting accordingly to the ethical working principle in the crises. Main misuse and the breach of ethics was done towards the children and the minors whose faces weren't pixelated. Analyzing media work in Serbia it has been ascertained that journalist need additional education and training in the field of crises reporting, due to a high possibility of these crises repetition (floods, fires, earthquakes, migrant and any other disasters) in the territory of the Republic of Serbia.
The piece brings out research that analyses relationship and interest of the journalist students- journalist to be for different e-education and e-trainings on the crises situation subject. We have examined whether respondents, which count 50 ( IV year journalist students at the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad), are interested to use Moodle in the their education, digital platforms, also Skype as a form of lecturing attendance. Would they prefer e-education and e-training in their training of the crises situation, what kind of e-training, which social media would be most valuable during the crises, and are they familiar enough with English language to participate in the e-training. The main focus of this research is to determine whether the future journalist generations are capable to be educated by this new digital technology forms. Students were attending traditional courses and training in this media reporting in crises situation classes, but in Serbia until now there hasn't been many courses that includes e-education and e-training. By establishing this new elements of education not only great savings would be benefited, but also faster and productive training of the students in media work in the crises situations field.
REFLECTIONS ON ONLINE VISUAL DICTIONARIES: THE CASE OF THE MARITIME ENGLISH VISUAL DICTIONARY IN THE NAVAL ACADEMY OF CONSTANTA
Authors: Cizer Laura , Lungu Delia
Published: February 2023

This paper revolves around the development of an online visual dictionary with a view to improving lexical acquisitions in maritime contexts. Undoubtedly, technological advances in computer technology have led to increased speed in accessing information and processed data; therefore, we deem it appropriate to consider first what online dictionaries may bring to the study of the English vocabulary, that is to facilitate both access to and use of the information contained therein. Indeed, the possibility of automatic processing and research of a term in an index is one of the greatest advantages of electronic dictionaries as compared to their paper format counterparts. Furthermore, the visual support - pictures or illustrations - is essential to language learners since it compensates for the definition alone when purely linguistic means are insufficient to explain a particular word or when they produce too difficult a definition.

Taking this context into account, the Maritime English Visual Dictionary was conceived within the Sectorial Plan of Research and Development (PSCD) and its importance is backed up by the lack of such a teaching/learning material on the specialized book markets; therefore, the benefits brought about by the project outcome involve supplementing the traditional methods of teaching/learning maritime English through the production of e-learning teaching aids as well as developing learners' capacity for long-term storage of maritime terminology. The project is based on an html format program and contains the following fields: the English word, its explanation, its translation and the corresponding picture. It is hosted on the Naval Academy platform since it is intended as a useful resource for both classroom use and self study.
SAVOIR, SAVOIR DIRE, SAVOIR ETRE, SAVOIR FAIRE
Authors: Gaitanaru Andrei
Published: February 2023

Modern society requires a major change in the approach of the education system and thus a new direction of development. To have credibility, and especially to win the younger generation as a real partner in the act of teaching it becomes evident that educators should face reform, accept change and, even more, to become drivers of the knowledge society. In this context, it is more and more clear the major place the eLearning tools occupy in the modern education in Romania. Talking about the current generation means, as Howard Gardner stated, talking about the APP generation, a technological generation that thinks in and applies templates to almost everything. I am referring here not only to the younger generation, but to all human society today. We are all tempted to apply templates for carrying out tasks we are accustomed to, because they are part of applications we have mastered. The introduction of ICT elements in Romanian education adapt basically refers to the major adaptation to the wider European education and an important element of the students' social training for the zapiens generation. Contemporary society is a computerized one, closely associated with the digital environment. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) supports the education provided that it facilitates the accumulation of information and supports student learning in the process. Furthermore it should offer a more appealing learning experience by associating educational content with pictures, graphics, diagrams, targeted audio and video files that represent a novelty and a change to the current educational trajectory.
BUILDING COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS FOR LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE EDUCATION SYSTEM
Authors: Nita Mircea aurel , Solomon Ionela gabriela , Mihoreanu Larisa
Published: February 2023

The article aims to identify types of competencies and skills that any young graduated need to proof when he apply for a job in public administration. The authors propose a behaviour pattern of a future leader based on emotional and quantum or spiritual intelligence, which can be developed mainly in educational system, even if we talk about formal, non-formal or informal education. The article presents a theoretical framework in order to relate the types of intelligence with the competencies, skills and behaviour of a future leader in a private or public organization, profit oriented. For this, it is needed to be presented a literature review, in order to clearly define the concept of human intelligence types, skills, abilities, behaviour, knowledge and competencies. The practical aspect and the application for this article, consists of a number of online questionnaires, built in order to measure indicators as: emotional quotation, communication skills, negotiation and mediation skills and leadership's skills, too. This indicators are closely connected to human intelligences. These abilities can be measured and tested through interactive questionnaires, in an informal education way, on www.negocieri.ro website by any person interested and concerned about self-development. The website has been designed for a potential future mediator, but is not limited only to this qualification. It can be used by anyone who wants to develop the competencies described above, because education is not only formal. We can develop competencies both in an informal and non-formal way, through our daily practice at work or in our free time, because education is not exclusively for pupils and students, but also for adults.
VIRTUAL WORLDS IN ONLINE EDUCATION AND TRAINING - AN EVALUATION REPORT
Authors: Stefan Livia
Published: February 2023

Online 3D Virtual Worlds (3DVWs) are special cases of e-learning and e-training environments, user-centered, basically with graphic and multimedia content. 3DVWs exploit real-time 3D graphics and networking technologies to implement visual, immersive, sensorial, experiential and social mediums. Even 3DVWs offer (cvasi) 3D graphic environments, the human-computer interaction for orientation, navigation or content access is still 2D, if the display is not performed via specialized virtual reality equipments. Despite the existing important implementations as educational platforms, mainly in academic millieus, the 3DVWs are not yet taken into consideration as a current practice.
Beyond the 3D modelling of the environment and the technical challenges for multi-user scenarios and real-time graphic and sound rendering, a reason for this slow rate assimilation is the effort needed to create a different e-learning environment, not just to convert the methods and content in a graphical context.
Our research investigates the instructional design and the learning outcomes in an Opensimulator 3DVW from two perspectives, i.e. of teachers and students. The paper presents an evaluation of a series of teaching, learning and assessment activities taking place in an online multi-user 3D virtual environment, designed with motivational incentives, and discusses the findings against to results from an evaluation of similar activities performed on the Moodle LMS platform.
In the introduction of the paper an overview of the main functionalities of the online 3D virtual class is presented. The main part of the paper describes the experimenations with teachers and students, the evaluation methods and results. The final part of the paper discusses findings in regard to the initial research hypothesis and draws conclusions regarding the design and usage best practices for online 3D virtual worlds as e-learning settings.
FACEBOOK USE BY VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS
Authors: Iordache Dragos daniel , Patru Aurel
Published: February 2023

Social networking sites (SNS) are characterized by user-generated content, online identity creation, and relational networking. Facebook is by far the most popular social networking site being currently used by a large diversity of users, including people with special needs. World Health Organization reports that more than 285 million people worldwide are visually impaired: 39 million are completely blind while more than 246 million have low vision. Visually impaired people are a distinct category among the users of social networks. They are using the social networking sites with a set of accessibility tools. These tools differ depending on the severity of the visual impairment and may take the form of screen readers, magnifiers, etc. The goal of this study is to identify educational and social aspects related to the use of Facebook by visually impaired people as well as positive aspects and risks of using this social networking website. An interview guide has been developed for this purpose. Interviews are a standard method for exploring people's feelings, motivations, insight and experiences on any topic. A total of 24 visually impaired students from the Special School "Sf?nta Maria" in Arad participated in the interview. A content analysis has been used in order to analyse the answers. The results show that most of the visually impaired students participating in this study are using Facebook especially for socialization and less for educational purposes. Also, the main benefits of using Facebook are communication and keeping relationships with friends. The main risks are related to the privacy / security settings and advertising affecting navigation.
ON USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING
Authors: Silvestru Catalin ionut , Lupescu Marianernut , Silvestru Ramona camelia
Published: February 2023

Taking into account the growth in the last decade regarding the use of IT&C technology, with the advances brought by smartphone, smart cities, the internet of things and other such approaches to integrating technologies in daily life, educational endeavors have been made to adapt and integrate such new technologies. As Social Media becomes more and more present in everyday life, we are interested to analyze the influences of social media on education in general, and on lifelong learning in particular, especially among young people, who are more prone to using such electronic interactive tools, given the current technology-driven and knowledge-based society. Thus, in this paper, we focus on how people, especially young people, perceive the use of social media in education and in job placement, looking at the possible advantages and disadvantages of using social media in education in general, and in lifelong learning in particular. Taking into account recent studies from literature, we conduct a quantitative analysis, using data obtained through a survey conducted online, which targeted young people from urban areas, mainly from university cities from Romania. We provide general analysis of the survey results, through the use of descriptive statistics and ANOVA. Based on the results of the analysis we argue with regard to the positive impact that using social media in education may have on eLearning, and discuss how eLearning platforms might be modified to be on par with social networks and other such means of online interaction. Moreover, we point out how trainers/teachers can use social media tools as either a blended means of teaching or as a full online teaching experience.
PROMOTING LESS POPULAR SPORTS IN SCHOOLS THROUGH THE NOT ONLY FAIR PLAY ONLINE TOOLKIT
Authors: Colibaba Anca cristina , Murariu Florin , Colibaba Stefan , Gheorghiu Irina , Ursa Ovidiu
Published: February 2023

The article is a study of the online toolkit addressing teachers of physical education which was developed within the project Not only fair play (557089 EPP1-2014-IT-SPO-SCP) co-financed by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme, Sport - Collaborative Partnership. The project aims to promote the enhancement of sport and physical activities offer of European schools both within the curricular activities and through extracurricular initiatives in order to confute the need to necessary choose between studying and doing sport. And through the project sport and physical activity became a fundamental educational tool to provide students with self confidence, socialisation opportunities, mutual understanding among different cultures and valorise the role that the universal language of sport can play in order to achieve social inclusion, equal opportunities and tolerance.
The online toolkit benefits from the outcomes, knowledge and experience gained from previous European projects related to the topic. It is based on research on physical education activities, less popular sports and games and sports preferences of the students from the partners' countries.
The online toolkit addresses teachers from mainstream, special needs and inclusive schools. The main chapters develop topics such as: the role of sports in education and life; the balance between sports and study; methods of motivating students only interested in sport to improve their school performances. The toolkit also provides teachers with materials on how to: integrate sport and healthy lifestyle approaches into the students' educational pathways; promote an ethical approach to sport; and use sports as a means to acquire transversal skills and as a means of social inclusion.
The toolkit provides teachers with counseling and training on how to use sports in school and extracurricular contexts.
IMPROVING SELF-EFFICIENCY AND TREATMENT COMPLIANCE OF DIALYZED PATIENTS - AN INTERVENTION TRAINING PROGRAME PROPOSAL
Authors: Hainagiu Simona magdalena
Published: February 2023

"Improving self - efficiency and treatment compliance of dialyzed patients - an intervention training programe proposal"
Abstract
Chronic renal disease is one o the most invalidating disease producing major changes in patients life. Furthermore, it challenges the pa?ient to adapt to a new and fully restrictive regim marked by significant loss in the usual diet, drinking habits, social, sexual and professional behaviours. The treatment by itself forces the patient to cope with a new daily programe and medicine intake.
Considering all these major and sudden changes, the patient compliance is one of the most important concern of the care team. Our study aims to describe the conditions influencing patients compliance and to propose an intervention training programe aiming to raise the compliance.
Considering the self - efficiency as the mechanism that influences levels of compliance, we have analised statistically significant relationships using Pearson-2 tailed correlation.
Considering the self - efficiency as the mechanism that influences levels of compliance, we have analised statistically significant relationships using Pearson-2 tailed correlation.
Our results can prove that for the whole group a greater level of sel-efficiency induces a greater level of compliance. Our approch presumes that self - efficiency can be controled and enhaced by a variety of behavioral marks. The new technological resources as smartphone applications can be seen as the suport of enabling these patients category to take control of their life and to have a greater level of treatment compliance.
Keywords: education, renal disease, dialysis, compliance, self - efficiency, treatment compliance
DEMOCRATIZING EDUCATION: THE POTENTIAL OF EDX IN REVOLUTIONIZING LEARNING
Authors: Lazaroiu George , Popescu Gheorghe h. , Nica Elvira
Published: February 2023

Co-authors: Gheorghe H. Popescu (Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University, Bucharest) and Elvira Nica (Bucharest University of Economic Studies)

An open source learning management system (LMS) and course authoring tool, edX has been set up as a not-for-profit enterprise and its primary backing has come from MIT and Harvard. EdX is testing out diverse proposals to improving its set of courses and producing returns, offering paid-for services for students who are employing the platform as a distribution mechanism for their own courses, and is providing a suite of charged-for services to its collaborators. edX furnishes its university partners a selection of two cooperation patterns. The first (the "university self-service model") fundamentally enables an involved institution to utilize edX's platform as a free learning-management arrangement for a course if portion of any returns brought about by the course proceed to edX. The second (the "edX-supported model") assigns the institution in the function of consultant and design collaborator, providing "production assistance" to universities for their Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). edX does not charge for the certificates that productive learners obtain for passing the supervised exams. This paper analyzes the edX's approach of doubling down on producing higher quality, customized and virtually supervised learning experiences that can be provided for credit to assimilators on a route towards a degree. With more 90 partner entities, $60 million as capital and over than 6 million learners, to supply credit edX should establish quality learning settings that satisfy the demands of various learners, and are accepted as valid by organizations and employers (the edX courseware should alter from a content distribution platform into a thorough learning experience).
IMPROVING ARGUMENTATIVE SKILLS FOR ENGINEERING STUDENTS IN TWO DIFFERENT COLOMBIAN REGIONS.
Authors: Calle Maria , Soto Jose , Torres Luis , Garcia Lucy , De castro Adela , Candelo John , Gonzalez Ricardo , Schettini Norelli
Published: February 2023

The paper presents the most important results from a study in argumentative communication skills, developed in three engineering undergraduate programs from year 2012 until 2014. The work was performed by a multidisciplinary group in two Colombian regions.

During year 2012, professors noted that senior students had problems in both oral and written communication. Therefore, engineering professors decided to join expert faculty in communication skills and to design a long-term project to help students. The project was meant to improve these skills, and it included four phases. Phase one diagnosed basic communication skills. Phase two employed an academic intervention. Phase three developed a new diagnosis in argumentative writing skills. Finally, phase four developed a different intervention for argumentation.

The first two phases included students from the first cohort as the reference group and students from a different cohort as the experimental group. The research evaluated data by means of one rubric and one student opinion survey. Both tools were validated by experts. Results show performance improvement in the second cohort after the intervention. The outcome agrees with related work reported in the literature.

During phase three, professors performed a diagnosis through the curriculum, specifically in argumentation. The study encompasses students enrolled in different courses and semesters from Electrical, Electronics and Systems Engineering at Universidad del Norte (Barranquilla, Colombia), and a course from Electrical Engineering at Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Medell?n Campus). Results show students achievement in argumentation, which was used to design a pedagogical intervention to improve student performance. Phase 4 assessed the same skill in the new cohort, executed the intervention and finally evaluated the results.

The academic intervention was carefully planned in every phase. During the intervention, the group used multimedia tools as video and Academic Blackboard in order to make a homogeneous strategy in all engineering programs in different places in the country. Additionally, the professors employed a Google Docs form in order to speed up evaluation process.

The students wrote argumentative essays before and after the intervention, employing the "Five Paragraph Essay" technique. Statistical analysis shows improvement; therefore, we can conclude that it was possible to enhance argumentation skills of the students.
WIKIS - AN ENVIRONMENT FOR DEVELOPING SPECIFIC (ACADEMIC) LANGUAGE LEARNING AND DIGITAL COMPETENCES
Authors: Felea Cristina , Stanca Liana
Published: February 2023

This study is based on an ongoing investigation on the impact of Web 2.0 technologies, namely a wiki-based learning environment, part of a blended approach to teaching English for Specific (Academic) Purposes for undergraduate students in a Romanian university. So far, most of the authors' research has focused on student engagement in the learning process, with special attention paid to the means, techniques, and methods to increase their participation. A second objective has been to research and analyse the effects of introducing a collaborative approach on teaching and learning.
Recent reports show that European education policy makers are having a difficult time keeping up the pace with the effects of technological advance on the educational landscape and graduate employability. An increasing number of educational experts and researchers participate in a joint effort to define, extend and improve digital competence as an essential component in a rapidly changing world.
The present research is based on the assumption that new technologies generate educational, social, and cultural effects that are visible in the learning environment. For instance, within the area of languages for specific and academic purposes, digital and media literacy have been embedded in online courses as cross-curricular competences.
Starting from the definition of digital competence as "the capacity to mobilize different "literacies" to manage the information and communicate knowledge and solve issues in an evolving society" the authors investigate whether digital competences needed in an wiki-based online environment built for academic language learning are enhanced during the learning process. For this purpose, a selection of digital competences from the Framework published in 2013 is used to analyse and interpret data collected from a sample of wiki pages containing students' assignments carried out during an academic semester. The major competence areas targeted are information management, communication and content creation.
The results of the study are expected to provide valuable information on the capacity of a Web 2.0 learning environment to sustain and improve digital competence. Additionally, the authors consider that the findings will be helpful in taking new curricular decisions within the area of teaching languages for specific (academic) purposes.
STEM ACTIVITIES TO EXPLORE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS' PERCEPTION OF SOLAR ENERGY
Authors: Korganci Nuri , Miron Cristina , Dafinei Adrian , Antohe Stefan
Published: February 2023

The pollution caused by burning fossil fuels made people search for using alternative energy sources. Beside the development of research on the use of renewable energy sources, the education on renewable energy sources and environmental protection is also important among the new generation. The reason why the effective methods should be chosen for the new generations' gaining the root knowledge of the trendy solar energy is making them consciously choose and study on this fields. Owing to getting involved students in solving authentic problems, working collaboratively, and building real solutions indicates that projects attain the interests of learners based on the recent research about integrated STEM education through project-based learning. It is shown that the learners' approach becomes more positive having been stimulated to boost their knowledge. The target of this study is to analyze aftereffect of STEM project-based learning method on learners understanding of the solar energy concepts. For this study, 33 students in control group and 32 students in experimental group were selected from the high school. Beside 5 open-ended questions, pre-test and post-test were used to gather the data in the present study. Both the pre-test and the post-test were made of 20 multiple choice items. It is derived from the study that the experimental group participated in STEM showed higher cognitive gain compared to control group. The project-based learning group were more aware and decisive about saving energy, developing and using renewable energy resources according to qualitative outcomes. The data showed that students couldn't make enough progress on working principle of solar cells.
VIRTUAL LAB FOR POWER SYSTEM STUDIES
Authors: Fagarasan Ioana , Arghira Nicoleta , Calofir Vasile , Iliescu Sergiu stelian , Stamatescu Iulia , Stamatescu Grigore
Published: February 2023

Virtual labs are more and more used and realistic. An effective virtual lab was set up for both on-campus and distance learning teaching. Practice showed that virtual labs have several advantages as reducing the time taken to complete the physical labs, it could be performed during the student's own time but it requires assistance with physical lab equipment.
Electric power system automation can be a difficult and expensive subject to study. Malfunction and incorrect functioning of the power systems can be the cause of major power failures in the national power grid, therefore it is important that students are exposed to realistic equipment and situations.
The paper is concluded with an example of virtual labs experiment for power system automation.
The Automatic Transfer System (ATS) is an essential function in a power network for assuring reliable backup power. The laboratory equipment considers a subsystem with 2 bus bars connected through a tie switch with 2 loads and a backup generator. The ATS cabinet includes 4 circuit breakers of 6kA that can be operated in manual or automatic mode. Several scenarios can be tested on the automatic transfer system, locally or remote through an Ethernet connection. The application incorporates a PC-based simulator for experiments. The virtual lab was created using OPC server which could interface the MATLAB and Simulink with stand alone applications. The advantage of the proposed structure is that in using the simulation software the distance learning teaching could incorporate the same new technology laboratory experience as teaching on-campus.
INTELLIGENT TUTORING SYSTEMS - TRENDS ON DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT
Authors: Niculescu Cristina
Published: February 2023

Intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) are computerized learning environments incorporating computational models in cognitive sciences, educational sciences, computational linguistics, artificial intelligence, mathematics and other areas. There is a close relationship between training smart, cognitive learning theories and design. ITS development is the marked progress of the relationship between educational research and research in educational technologies. ITS research consists of seven areas of investigation: aspects of teaching aspects of learning, assessment, cognitive science, structuring knowledge, intelligent instruments and intelligent interfaces.
Design and development of an intelligent tutoring system can be summarized in four iterative stages: needs assessment, cognitive task analysis, implementing the initial instructional stage and evaluation. The principles of design and development of an intelligent tutoring system are: student competence, target structure, training, promoting a better understanding of abstract knowledge of problem solving, minimize working memory load, providing immediate feedback errors, adjusting the size of the training packages, facilitating successive approximation desired experience. ITS offers students more individualized approaches such as learning, real-time feedback, and flexibility in time and space. Internet of Things (IoT) is the next phase of educational applications of technology and innovation in the next decade.
The next generation of e-Learning, e-Learning 3.0, foresees at least four key factors: distributed computerization, expansion of smart mobile technology, intelligent collaborative filtering, 3D visualization and interaction. E-Learning 3.0 will promote collaborative learning, will be closer to learning "anytime, anywhere", will provide smart solutions to search the web, document management and content organization.
ITS use areas such as natural language processing, machine learning, planning, multi-agent systems, ontologies, semantic web and social computing and emotionally. ITS have expanded in many areas critical and complex, and the results were far-reaching. ITS have cemented a place in formal education and these systems have found their place within corporate training and organizational learning.
EXPERIENCE OF TARGETED RADIOFREQUENCY THERAPY APPLIED IN MEDICAL RECOVERY
Authors: Blendea Dan
Published: February 2023

This paper presents our interest in new therapies like Targeted Radiofrequency Therapy. Targeted Radiofrequency Therapy distributes high-frequency electromagnetic energy into the desired tissue which leads to selective tissue hyperthermy. Thanks to this mechanism patients experience instant pain relief, muscle relaxation, edema reduction, tissue regeneration support and healing. The most common indications include: local muscle spasm, trigger points, myalgia, tendinitis, cervical pain, and post-traumatic edema. The immediate therapeutic effect is noticed by the patient instantly and lasts long after the therapy.
The goal of the present study is to highlight the medical effect in recovery by using the Targeted Radiofrequency Therapy.
The main method used to fulfill this study has been even the implementation of the mechanism of action of Targeted Radiofrequency Therapy. The findings are regarding to the muscle relaxation, tissue regeneration and healing, pain relief. So, the Targeted Radiofrequency Therapy helps relieve trigger points and muscle spasms that prevent regaining the full range of joint movement. For example use of the Targeted Radiofrequency Therapy in combination with passive stretching of the shortened structures leads to their relief and immediately broadens the range of motion in the given segment. Combining the Targeted Radiofrequency Therapy and isometric or isotonic muscle contraction focuses the hyperthermy into the contracted muscle. Delivered radiofrequency energy facilitates these fibers and leads to their incorporation in the performed muscle stereotypes.
Combining the Targeted Radiofrequency Therapy and isometric or isotonic muscle contraction focuses the hyperthermy into the contracted muscle. Delivered radiofrequency energy facilitates these fibers and leads to their incorporation in the performed muscle stereotypes.