bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ENHANCING TECHNICAL ACCURACY IN HIGH-LEVEL AEROBIC GYMNASTICS BY MEANS OF MVN MOTION CAPTURE SYSTEMS
Authors: Bota Aura , Mezei Mariana , Bidiugan Radu
Published: February 2023

Enhancing technical accuracy in high-level aerobic gymnastics by means of MVN motion capture systems

Prof.univ.dr. Aura Bota -UNEFS Bucuresti
Prof. Mariana Mezei - CS UNEFS Bucuresti
Prof. Radu Bidiugan- INCS

In the last years detailed analysis of sportive technique has increasingly required sophisticated equipment/technology, especially the computer-assisted devices, useful in helping professionals enhance the technical and physical training of their athletes.
This paper presents elements from a pilot study which is designed to test an Xsens MVN Motion Capture equipment in order to emphasize the kinematic characteristics of certain technical elements included in the high-level aerobic gymnastics content. This device is based on the inertial navigation technology, whose basic element is represented by the MEMS-IMU inertial navigation unit. These miniature units contain three accelerometers, three gyroscopes and three magnetic sensors, for each 3D space axes.
This system allows collecting data concerning the velocity, orientation, rotation and gravitational forces exerted by 23 body segments in real training conditions, with full freedom of movement, as there are no cameras used in this device. Xsens MVN produces clean and smooth data that saves up to 80% of post-processing time.
The study was conducted on the 8 subject Romania's senior aerobic gymnastics team, in the context of raising the technical elements' execution score in future competitions, so that they can preserve the world top position held in the last 10 years.
Data collected facilitate an accurate skill analysis, as well as the detection of some execution errors in group C of technical elements -Jumps. At the same time the MVN Studio shows a real-time visualization on screen, so that the coaches get a clear image of the technical performance on the spot, as well as the gymnasts themselves who use this visual feed-back to enhance the input required in neuro-muscular control of the performed elements.
ASSESSMENT OF THE RESISTANCE TO MENTAL FATIGUE USING THE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY
Authors: Grigore Vasilica , Predoiu Radu , Mitrache Georgeta , Paunescu Mihaela
Published: February 2023

The resistance to mental fatigue can be appreciated through the simple reaction to stimuli and vigilance. Today, the use of computer technology makes the precision and accuracy of registrations to be assured. The movements associated with device manipulation (buttons, levers, pedals) are known as instrumental movements. Concerning reaction time, the duration of resting pauses and the intensity of the stimulus greatly influences this aspect. Vigilance is analyzed as a psycho-physiological state, it's main effect being the preparation for a perceptive, physical and/or intellectual activity. Vigilance is considered to be attention in expectation -> when one is waiting for a certain event or signal which requires a prompt reaction. This study was carried out on a number of 36 female subjects, divided as follows: 8 practitioners of aerobic gymnastics (students at NUPES), 8 practitioners of tennis (the subjects are ranked in the top 30 players in Romania) and 20 participants who do not conduct systematic physical activities (students at NUPES). Through the computerized RNE test, within PSISELTEVA tests, we assessed resistance to mental fatigue, the behavioral stability in stand-by and disruptive conditions. Using Kruskal-Wallis H test and Mann-Whitney (U) test we highlighted significant differences statistically (p < 0, 05) between the three samples of athletes, in terms of resistance to mental fatigue. The participants who practice tennis and aerobic gymnastics provide more accurate responses to the signal-stimuli under mental fatigue. Practicing sports systematically - tennis and aerobic gymnastics can be an effective way of developing certain skills and abilities such as: resistance to mental fatigue, vigilance, fast visual analysis capacity, prompt reactions at the visual signs.
USE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGIES (ICT) FOR PERFORMANCE MONITORING IN BIATHLON
Authors: Pelin Florin , Pelin Raluca anca
Published: February 2023

Winter Biathlon can be considered one of the oldest human activities. It has its origins in hunting on skis. Military skiing patrols and their actions are reported more frequently at the very beginning of the second millennium AD in the northern regions. Biathlon trials combine two disciplines: cross-country skiing and rifle shooting when passing through a polygon.
In biathlon, performance is reflected by three main factors:
- Running speed on skis with the gun carried on the back;
- Residence time in the polygon;
- The shooting performance.
Improving the results of these three factors has been an ongoing concern of both technicians and athletes.
Computers have played a very important role in achieving outstanding performance as they provide opportunities for monitoring both during training and during competitions.
In sports training, computers are used both in the practical activities carried out in the field and in laboratory activities.
In competitive activity, computer use has become indispensable for:
- Computer research;
- Monitoring the reactions of biathletes during competitions;
- Collecting, recording, processing and interpreting the results;
- Analyzing biathletes' performance during competitions in terms of physical, technical, tactical and psychological training;
- Developing the competitive schedule which is of major importance for the periods needed for getting in and out of athletic shape;
- Recording the results obtained by biathletes in competitions;
- Predicting outcomes in subsequent competitions.
The aim of our paper is to introduce the means to use computers in order to monitor performance in biathlon for cross-country skiing and rifle shooting when passing through a polygon.
BUILDING A GLOBAL DATABASE FOR THE DISABLED PEOPLE BY MEANS OF MOBILE DEVICES
Authors: Predescu Corina , Kiss Katharina , Bota Aura
Published: February 2023

This study is part of the Special Olympics Healthy Communities project, entitled ,,Close the referral loop", carried out in partnership with Vodafone Romania Foundation, financed through Mobile4Good program.
This project seeks to build on a unique global database and move onwards from data gathering to using the current data to empower athletes and their families to transform their health outcomes through self-advocacy and informed management of their own health through Athletes Personal Health Records with two-way interactivity with athletes' mobile devices.
If an athlete has a referral recommended at a Healthy Athletes screening event, details of the referral are automatically recorded in the athlete's health record. In this context, the athlete's mobile phone is used to alert athletes that a medical referral has been recommended. To be inclusive for all Special Olympics athletes the mobile health solution needs to be available on the common mobile devices on the standard operating systems of mobile phone and tablets including Android, Symbian, Windows Mobile, iPhone and iPad.
The pilot study, followed by two other screening events (between 2012-2013) which took place at UNEFS gathered a total of 458 subjects whose data were digitally entered in the system which further generated SMS follow-up messages.
This application renders possible digital data entry on cell phone and tablets, two way interactive messaging to athletes' cell phones and tablets to close the referral loop after Healthy Athletes events, two way interactive messaging to athletes' cell phones and tablets for follow up of services and devices given at Healthy Athletes events and athlete data entry into their personal health record.
USING SPECIALIZED SOFTWARE FOR MONITORING SPORT TRAINING PROGRAM OF JUNIOR HANDBALL PLAYERS
Authors: Rohozneanu Dan mihai
Published: February 2023

The role of the preparation is to ensure the optimal development of handball specific motor skills and effort capacity - it is the foundation to increase the performance capacity. The sports training components are present in all stages of sports training with different shares depending on the objectives. A good physical training provides the motrical support for efficient execution of technical content, which in turn is necessary for the realization of the tactical actions. Psychological and theoretical components, along with other components, provide training valorization to successfully participate in competitions. The purpose of this research is to identify the role of specialized software in monitoring the sport preparation to lead to optimizing sport training for junior handball players with consequences of increasing / improving sports performance. The experimental investigation involved the use of specific research methods like the study of literature, observation, tests and control samples, experiment, statistical and mathematical analysis and interpretation of data, graphics. In conducting this research there have been used the following control tests that were applied to the subjects of the two groups by the Myotest device and analyzed after with Myotest PRO software. The control tests were designed to highlight the specific indicators of the preparation for the handball game: bench press, half squat, jump-pliometry, countermovement jump, squat jump, bench press profile, half squat profile. These control tests were applied three times during the research (initial test, intermediate test, final test). The average progress for experimental group was 16.88% (min. - 3.66%, max. - 17.99%) and for control group - 8.17% (min. - 1.73%, max. - 12.5%). After applying Student test for experimental group the values were between 4.19 and 9.19 (p<0.01) and for control group between 2.93 and 4.27 (p<0.01). The research has great practical significance in preparing junior handball players, by using electronic device and specialized software, being useful for handball coaches and teachers working at this level, due to the results of the experiment implementation. The purpose was to ensure the premises achieving effective training in order to meet the training objectives and the performance targets.
SOFTWARE AND METHODOLOGY FOR THE PREVENTION AND THE EARLY COMPENSATION OF SPINE DISORDERS
Authors: Schor Vladimir , Schor Daniela , Sindila Gheorghe , Tifrea Corina
Published: February 2023

The paper presents a particular eficient instrument for the substantial diminishing, by means of prevention (on a diagnosis and intervention related basis), of a vector with a very significant impact in terms of influencing the health state and quality of life - the deformations of the spine - with all later consequences (body aspect, pain at the osteoarticular level, degenerative diseases of internal organs). Decompensations of the statokinetic function of the spine caused by sedentary life, as well as the latter's late diagnosis, trigger in time, the installation of various pathologies as resulting out of the specialized literature. Consequences at a personal, social and economic level are huge and quite alarming. The software and the methodology proposed by SC Medisport SRL present an innovative approach which makes possible the analysis of the causal generating chain (asymmetric static postures, asymmetric walk pattern, muscle disequilibrium, functional changes of posture), points out the positioning of the muscular unbalance very close to the initiation in the causal chain, with a role in setting off or eliminating subsequent links. As a consequence, the closer the positioning of the evaluation and the corrective intervention is to the causal chain basis, the better consequences of this action are, and the prevention scope undergoes an exponential rise. It is possible to have a specialized intervention in an increasing stage, perfectly reversible at the level of a school population and professionally active adults, with a possibility of long term monitoring. Whereas the current trend in medicine, namely that of being oriented towards preventive activities, the paper is perfectly assigned to the European operational space.
Because of the large interest manifested by the higher education area on this topic, the paper presents also an integration scheme of our methodology within an e-learning platform.
ENHANCEMENT OF THE SUCCESS AND SECURITY RATES IN MOUNTAIN TREKKING BY USING ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND SOFTWARE
Authors: Serbanoiu Sorin , Teodorescu Silvia
Published: February 2023

This study follows on the undertakings of the authors towards highlighting the outdoor activities' efficiency in increasing the personal life quality for various age categories. Among the activities included in this field, altitude trekking was selected due to its known positive impact at personal level in terms of functional and psycho-social aspects, as well as in terms of its responsible behaviour in relation to the natural environment preservation.

Scope.

The aim of this work is to highlight the advantages obtained by using electronic devices and software in the altitude trekking process, as leisure sports form. The data recorded by two electronic devices and analysed by the dedicated software provides the possibility to carry out activities with a higher functional efficiency under increased safety conditions. The information obtained represents the foundation for planning the functional exertion and for selecting the trekking tracks according to the subject's potential and experience.

Subjects.

-Male adult, in good health condition;
-Practicing physical activities mainly designed mainly for the cardio-vascular factor;
-Practicing altitude trekking.

Methods.

-Bibliographical study;
-Observation;
-Data recording and processing using the:
oElectronic devices: pulse-tester SUUNTO X6HR; GPS GARMIN eTREX 30 for computer organizing, monitoring and recording - transfer of the track;
oSoftware: Suunto Activity Manager software 2.3.4.; Base Camp software; Google Maps software

Conclusions.

The correlation between the information related to the echo of biological effort at practitioner's level in certain moments of trekking track travel and the information related to the travelled distance, travel tempo, altitude and track configuration represents valuable data for the improvement of future activities.
SIMULATOR USE FOR PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT IN TENNIS
Authors: Stanescu Rares
Published: February 2023

The current tennis performances are supported by advanced technology that favors performance at the highest level. A number of devices able to assist the work of the specialist team around the tennis player were introduced, as additional means, in the training activity. Simulators are included in this category; they are used mainly in cyclical sports (rowing), but in recent years they are also used in acyclic sports, such as tennis. By using the simulator, tennis players could have huge benefits, both at mental and physical level, as the simulator creates the possibility of training in conditions similar to a tennis game. The simulator demonstrated that changing a couple of items we can find quick body answers. After these answers we can set the best exercises for each player to obtain the high performance. The research was conducted with a group of eight (8) tennis players who are included in national teams. They had simulator-assisted trainings during three calendar periods. The content of the training included both a technical component and a physical one. The technical training comprised practice of forehand, backhand and service. During the physical training, emphasis was placed on developing the specific strength of the tennis game, the speed of execution and repetition. Simulator training allows the player to become aware of the movements, and to increase his/her physical and mental capacity. In the wake of this experiment we found that the period of pre-competitive training sessions can be reduced, and tennis players can get faster in good physical shape.
E-LEARNING ROWING TECHNIQUE, PERFORMED BY JUNIOR ROWERS
Authors: Urichianu Adrian , Jurat Valeriu , Triboi Vasile
Published: February 2023

The aim of this demonstration of e-Learning technique by paddling through computerized video analysis, carried out on the ergosim type equipment by the junior rowers.
This scientific approach has led to organizing a research of an experimental study using the following methods:
1. Analysis of methodical-scientific literature. 2. Video recording of gymnastics exercises. Use of computerized programs: "Pinnacle Studio", "Kinovea" and "Physics ToolKit". 3. Postural method of movement orientation. 4. Statistical method, by means of "KyPlot" computerized program.
In this pedagogic experiment there has been included a number of six athletes from the Olympic Youth Center, Snagov, Romania. In this stage the athletes trained by running ,using an ergometer, weightlifting in the gym and rowing on the water.
Results. Demonstration and identification of kinematic and dynamic rowing motion on the ergometer performed by the junior rowers 16-18 of age , on the basis of biomechanical video analysis, the trajectories of body segments (CGG, shoulder and Fist) and the resultant linear speed and force showing their influence on different phases of the ideal technical rowing motion.
Conclusions. The correlative analysis between parameter technical training and performance results in competitions of junior rowing 16 to 18 years point out significant correlations in the attack phase, in the initial position between the speed of the wrist using the performance achieved in the competition, with the other biometric indicators of the rowing movement phases, the performance achieved in the three contests. These correlations are insignificant at P 0.05 >, highlighting the values of speed and force at shoulder and wrist level.
The use of e-learning in improving the technique of rowing has allowed the development of a training program to help increase performance in competitions on rowing machines and the athlete recruitment for rowing on water.
E-TRAINIG MOBILE DEVICES AND APPLICATIONS FOR SPORT PROFESSIONALS
Authors: Vilcu Dana mihaela , Sabau Elena , Niculescu Georgeta
Published: February 2023

Mobile devices and specific applications for sport professionals have become nowadays very useful in specific training, but their potential is not fully exploited. The general goal of this paper is to point out bridges between the two communities of sport professionals and mobile applications developers. In this paper we survey these mobile devices according to these two different viewpoints.
We first take into account their utility, the sports involved, and the specific training processes and present the available offer of mobile devices and applications. Main producers and tools are mentioned as well. The sport profesional viewpoint shows the way they are percieving the mobile applications and devices in the training process, and what are their expectations.
Then we consider the technological aspects of the mobile devices and their potential for sport professionals. The technological aspects are treated from the developer's point of view. We present what the nowadays mobile devices are able to offer for the benefit of the sport, due to their design and embedded technology, tools and capabilities. Different operating systems, main producers of mobile devices and developers of mobile applications are briefly mentioned. A short classification of the applications for mobile devices is given, and the levels of the corresponding software developping skills are also mentioned. This suggest an ideal composition of a mobile application developing team.
Our paper is an invitation for reflexion on the modern approaches of professional sport training through the nowadays mobile technologies. The invitation is addressed both to sport professionals and mobile devices developers. We conclude that the mobile devices and applications have a huge potential for sport professionals and, at the same time, the sport training offers a large domain of applications to the mobile devices developers.
INTERACTIVE GUIDE FOR TECHNICAL FIELDS OF THE KNITTED FABRICS
Authors: Blaga Mirela , Ciobanu Ana ramona , Dan Dorin
Published: February 2023

Technical textiles are a rapidly developing trade in textile industry, as being an innovative sector, one which is highly specialized and holds great potential for the future. The new designed end-uses and applications are intended to replace expensive, heavier or technically inferior constructions traditionally produced from other raw materials. Knitting technology is one of the most versatile fabric production systems in textiles. The flexibility of knitting techniques and structures makes them attractive both to the designer and to the manufacturer of technical textiles. Techtextil, the most important European technical textiles exhibition, divided the technical fields of the knitted fabrics into twelve areas, according to their end uses, like: agriculture, geo-textiles, army, medicine, buildings, industry, protection, automotive, interior design, etc. Considering the complexity of the subject, an alternative method for achieving knowledge in this field is desirable for the students from Faculty of Textiles, Leather and Industrial Management, Iasi, who have chosen to follow this course.
The paper presents an interactive learning tool, which allows the students to get familiar with the characteristics of each technical field. The comprehensive content of each area is sustained by the: fabric technical specifications, concrete applications, textile technologies, various examples of products. This on-line guide is designed to make the readers conversant with weft and warp knitting technology and to enhance their knowledge in new product developments. A challenge for the learner is to get familiar and to strengthen their technical data about specific machines, technical yarns, fabric shapes, product finishing and potential applications of the products.
E-LEARNING TOOLS FOR TEACHING CLOTHING PATTERN DESIGN
Authors: Avadanei Manuela , Ionescu Irina , Ionesi Savin dorin , Dulgheriu Ionut
Published: February 2023

In clothing and textile industry, a business is characterized by dynamism because of materials, technologies, fashion trends, consumer's level of educations, financial resources, equipment, etc. In this "world," the engineer is the one who can transform a sketch, a photo, and a video imagine into reality, in what a consumer needs, wants or must have. Our goal is to teach, educate and form engineers who can rapidly answer and solve different technical problems. Also, we need to train the student in developing a real 3D imagines about the final product, how it really looks on the human body or in the environment, starting from its 2D stage. For this purpose, we use a moodle platform where there are demonstrative tutorials (courses and practical themes), realized with screencast software that record the design stages needed to follow. The final stage, simulation in the 3D virtual environment of the product on the mannequins offers to the student the needed instruments by which he can understand and evaluate technical problems of the chosen design solution and which is the influence on the final aspect (shape and dimension). We can create groups of discussion to analyze different solutions (if there are good or not, suitable or indicated according the final purpose) and the student can exchange ideas, information or suggestions from one to another, about the proposed subject. With such support in education and training, we offer to the student all needed instruments to understand theoretical technical information, their connections and implications in the garment final shape and size.
INTERACTIVE COURSE AND SIMULATED APPLICATION FOR TEACHING THE DESIGN OF 3D SHAPED KNITTED TUBES
Authors: Blaga Mirela , Ciobanu Ana ramona
Published: February 2023

3D shape knitting provides a huge potential concerning the systems efficiencies, waste minimisation, material optimisation and creates opportunities for new applications not traditionally associated with knitted textiles. 3D forms are the most used items in technical field and the knitting technology is, among the other textile technologies (weaving, braiding, and nonwoven), one that presents a great potential for designing preforms which are suitable for fibre-reinforced composites. The major developments achieved in the knitting field have made the flat knitting machine a suitable tool to obtain near-net shapes. Technological features in flat-bed knitting allow the automatic production of 3D forms that time ago could only be handmade. These advanced knitting machines are always accompanied by the CAD (Computer Aided Design) software in order to design the pattern and also to program them. The programming skills demand sometimes beside the basic knowledge also a three dimensional view of the final product and the correlation with the 2D pattern, especially to the 3D shapes, which usually these specialised software don't have. Therefore, the paper aims to create an interactive course focused on the design of 3D shaped knitted tubes, which allows to the user to easy understand and learn how to generate these type of knitted forms in terms of knitting programming. The course is accompanied by a simulated interactive application regarding the design of a 3D shaped knitted tube in the form of L made on M1 plus pattern station, from Stoll GmbH, Germany. The IT solution used to create the course and the simulated application is the "Storyline" software from Articulate.
SOFTWARE APPLICATION FOR OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS OF COMFORT CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: Curteza Antonela , Farima Daniela , Buliga Valentin
Published: February 2023

The main function of an apparel product or of various clothing structures is to maintain the temperature of the human body at a constant level. In order to attain this objective, clothing products must be able to allow thermal, water vapour and air transfer, depending on certain environmental factors and on body states (in times of effort, of rest, and so on). Thus, the next step taken would be to scientifically design the clothing product. To this purpose, one needs to anticipate the optimal degree of comfort when wearing that particular apparel product, which can be done by determining the values of the comfort parameters and choosing the best possible one. Determining the values corresponding to the three main comfort parameters taken into consideration (thermal insulation, air and vapour permeability) requires some calculus algorithms that would take considerable time to apply. This paper suggests the use of a software application in order to save time when calculating the above mentioned values. Firstly, one has to be aware of the end use of that particular apparel product. Secondly, one must be able to select the potential textile materials that will be used when manufacturing the product in a correct and scientific manner. Therefore, we consider as input some experimentally determined values, such as: the thermal conductivity coefficient, material thickness, the vaporization coefficient, and the air permeability coefficient. The output comprises: thermal resistance, vapour and air diffusion resistance.
If the values obtained for the established comfort indicators are within the previous imposed limits, according to the end use, the tested textile fabrics will be marked as valid and the software will determine the optimal one; this is obtained by minimizing the squared difference between the experimental values and the compulsory ones. The above method leads to an objective evaluation of the optimal variants that are to be considered when manufacturing the product. If the obtained values do not fit within the imposed limits, the fabric will be marked as invalid; the process will be stopped and the user will be notified and instructed to choose another one and restart the whole assessment process.
The application will give a score to each valid fabric chosen for the final comparison, thus highlighting the optimal one. In order to provide the user with an easier way to interpret the outputs, the obtained results will be expressed in points.
E-LEARNING APPLICATION FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF SHOES 3D MODELING
Authors: Ionesi Dorin , Ciobanu Luminita , Sarghie Bogdan
Published: February 2023

The paper approaches the specifics of textile E-learning problems concerning the modelling of shoes. A significant number of students have problems understanding and viewing the 3D geometry of complex shapes such as shoes. The current application is intended to simplify this understanding and to enhance their capacity of 3D modelling. The transition between the dimensions of the customers' feet and the final product dimensions require a high accuracy in the shape's definition. The paper presents a different approach to this design using the Google Sketchup application and the Google Sketchup plug-ins. The method is based on the 3D scanning, CAD modelling, analysis and modifications of the shapes in order to obtain a prototype that can be exported in different formats to be used for rapid prototyping.
The Google Sketcup application requires the definition of the 2D shapes corresponding to specific sections in the product and, using the Curviloft plug-in, to extrude them into the final 3D shape. The Curviloft plug-in is a Google SketchUp script mainly used to generate a 3D surface based on different 2D contours and/or straight or curved segments. It works with three different methods: loft by spline, loft along path and skinning. Due to the fact that there are many different methods to define the 3D geometry, the Curviloft script offers various options to define and adjust the geometrical parameters in accordance with the contours configuration and desired 3D final surface.
The designed model is used to illustrate to the students the basis of the skinning operation. The steps are recorded with explanations targeting the specifics of the 3D geometry of shoes and how to create it using a 3D drawing application. The students can watch these steps and repeat them in their own rhythm. Furthermore, this knowledge can be also used in the training of shoe specialists.
APPLICATION OF INTERNET BASED TEXTILE TESTS TRAINING LABORATORY IN TURKEY
Authors: Karabulut Mustafa , Agir Yahya
Published: February 2023

Textile tests training requires institutions and schools have comprehensive textile laboratories. However, due to high costs of such machinery, many of such educational foundations lack these properly equipped laboratories. Within the scope of an EU funded project, an internet based solution to these learning difficulties was proposed and applied. In the application, three types of individuals composed the target group which were students, teachers and technical staff from the related sector. Before the design of the target e-learning platform, a need analysis was done via a survey and relevant data was collected. This information provided both the learner needs and the proof of difficulties existed in training textile tests. By help of this analysis, an e-learning environment was designed. The e-learning platform was tested with each group of target groups separately. Also, the impact of the learning tool over teachers/trainers of the target groups was investigated, as well. The main objective of the investigations was to see if the ICT based learning tools could help trainees quickly learn how to practice textile tests without actually using the test machinery. As a result, we observed that the e-learning environment alone could compensate the lack of properly equipped textile test laboratories to a degree. At least, it proves itself as a helping material for institutions and in-service learning facilities with limited number of hours assigned to teaching and learning goals. Furthermore, additional ICT based learning tools such as offline version of the learning environment also supports and speeds up the self-learning process.
COMPUTER ANXIETY, COMPUTER SELF-EFFICACY AND DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES
Authors: Cocorada Sorin
Published: February 2023

The studies about anxiety are now integrated in a model which describe the computer anxiety as a component of academic anxiety, defined as emotion, behavior and believes which negatively influences learning performance. Some research concerning students or teachers attitudes towards using computers and the Internet has been performed since the eighties in most countries, but there are still few in Romania.
This study presents the relationships between computer anxiety and demographic variables. The research participants are the Romanian college and university students, males and females. The employed tools are Computer Anxiety Rating Scale (Heinssen, Glass, & Knight, 1987) and the Computer self-efficacy Scale ( Compeau & Higgins, 1995). The tools employed for measuring the attitude toward computers includes items which directly measure believes about the effects of using the computer for learning. The participants have filed a questionnaire which includes demographic questions. The data has analyzed using different criteria: gender, age, grade, experience with the computer and Internet, marks. Results indicate differences between the anxiety of students according to their program of study, age and gender. Experience in the use of computers is associated with the anxiety level for this type of technology and mediates gender differences. Greater computer anxiety was associated with lower expectations and poorer task performance. High self efficacy is associated with better results in the use of computers, but also with positive beliefs about some benefits of using it. The results can be used by college and university teachers to manage learning situations, especially, in e-environment.
TEACHING AND LEARNING BY USING THE WEB RESOURCES
Authors: Condruzbacescu Monica
Published: February 2023

The article focuses on using web resources in the learning process. The appearance of new communication and information technologies determined a reorganisation of the education system. Thus, e-learning system has developed, which compared with the traditional one, offers new ways of conveying knowledge. The technological revolution of the '80s and the electronic one in the '90s transformed the economic, social and educational world. Nowadays, there are new systems of education that facilitate the educational process: distance learning, e-learning, blended learning, m-learning. Then, the article aims to present e-learning versus traditional learning, the advantages and disadvantages in learning online. Education based on web resources has many advantages over traditional education. Students can choose their areas of knowledge, they can pursue their own interests and can access information at their own level. Time is not determined as in a classroom, the program is much more flexible. Students can accelerate the learning process or slow it. Also, this type of learning allows both students and teachers to interact in an online community without being present in the same place or at the same time. E-learning system takes different forms from one country to another, from one university to another, depending on the needs and possibilities of students and institutions. Although education through web resources has many advantages over traditional education, we cannot always say that e-learning methods are most effective. It is obvious that the number of web users is rising and with it the quality of education increases. E-learning is gaining ground in the face of traditional education and students associate the internet with a real teacher.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ICT AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE SKILLS' TRAINING
Authors: Condruzbacescu Monica
Published: February 2023

The article focuses on the relationship between information and communication technology (ICT) and foreign language skills' training. Integrating information and communication technologies in teaching, learning and assessment has therefore become a necessity nowadays. Recent years have brought a conceptual revolution in education, information and communication technologies becoming a medium for learning in general, for all subjects in the school curriculum. Adapting to the needs of knowledge society calls for teachers to rethink educational way of young people, allowing them to explore the new, to solve problems through their research activity, to connect with others in different cultural and social backgrounds, to express opinions. When properly oriented, technology contributes to an active learning student-centered, to develop creativity and critical thinking. Technology is part of everyday life of the citizen, and information and communication technologies can be found in the socialization process. Taken together, these activities will provide new opportunities for students to personalize access to digital learning resources in school and beyond, becoming more important the need to bring side by side these learning experiences. The introduction of ICT in school, in classroom, in the educational process as a whole, contributes, to a great extent, to improve student results. Firstly, this is because ICT adapts the learning needs of students and teaching needs of teachers. Secondly, the use of ICT in schools creates a new, innovative approach of teaching, learning and assessment activities. Learning can be custom tailored to the needs of all students, and teaching would no longer be limited to fifty minutes in the classroom, but can be practiced anytime and anywhere outside the school.
THE BENEFITS OF SOCIO-CULTURAL DIMENSIONS OF E-LEARNING IN THE ACADEMIC SYSTEM
Authors: Museanu Elena
Published: February 2023

Nowadays all the students, no matter the nationality, develop critical and reflective thinking skills and are encouraged to care about the world around them. Thus they may realize that some degrees of personal or social transformations are required. Taking into consideration this, it is important to note that transformational process can be enhanced with online learning (especially e-learning). Therefore, knowledge about the relationship between culture and online education is very relevant. The goal of this study is to explore the relationship between national culture and the usability of an e-learning system. Hofstede's cultural dimensions (Power Distance, Individualism/Collectivism, Masculine/Feminine, Uncertainty Avoidance, Long-term Orientation vs. Short-Term Orientation, Indulgence vs. Restraint) will be used to guide the cultural aspects of this study. We will conclude that individual cultural backgrounds contribute substantially to the usability of most online learning systems. Teachers can talk about crafting or designing the learner experience, but the level of control over learner experience is quite indirect and mediated by several factors not under teacher control. The participants will be observed while performing tasks and will be given a questionnaire at the completion of the tasks. The results of this study could be useful and interesting for academic environments. Today, despite information technologies such as the World Wide Web, there is no "global village culture" and we have not reached Francis Fukuyama's "end of history". Repeated measurements of culture show that countries that get richer get more individualistic. For the other dimensions, no such trends are apparent. Since worldwide differences in wealth are on the rise, this would point to increasing cultural differences, not cultural convergence.
BLENDED LEARNING IN THE LANGUAGE CLASS: TEACHING ROMANIAN TO MULTICULTURAL GROUPS
Authors: Nistor Cristina mihaela
Published: February 2023

In the University "Politehnica" of Bucharest, first-year students may choose to study at least one language out of the four foreign languages we teach: English, French, German and Russian. That is the case with all our Romanian students, as well as with some of the foreign ones. Still, there is another option, reserved for those who come to this country to study in our own language, Romanian. Indeed, in recent years, I have perceived a constantly growing interest in the study of Romanian, and that can be explained in various ways; some foreign students come here to avoid the difficult situation they would have to deal with if they went back home (war, rebellions), while others are only interested in learning new skills and techniques that will help them give their careers a boost. In this paper, I intend to touch upon some points that refer to assisting these students, who belong to multicultural groups, in their attempt to live and learn in Romania. The type of learning we, teachers of Romanian, choose to adopt for this particular type of students is, naturally, the blended one, as the difficulties posed by the Romanian language at all levels (pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary) cannot be overcome without face-to-face interaction and communication. Still, since we now live in the Internet age, we resort to all possible tools we can afford in order to accomplish our task. My study, then, refers to my own experience with some multicultural groups whom I have taught Romanian; I will describe the multicultural groups I intend to discuss, and I will refer to the methods that I, for one, adopt in my language class. The conclusion I will draw reflects mainly on the necessity of striking a balance between the usage of on-line learning and face-to-face meetings.
INTEGRATION OF CULTURAL IDENTITY IN SOCIAL MEDIA
Authors: Pavaloiu Ionel bujorel , Vasile Adrian
Published: February 2023

An actual issue for Romania is the transition towards a knowledge society, including the fundamental component of information society. A powerful form of manifestation is given by the virtual social networks (or just social networks - SNs), Internet sites that give users the ability to create their own profiles and share information/socialize based on common preferences and by the social media, Internet sites where people interact by creating and exchanging information.
In direct terms, the social networks and social media amplify and simplify the relationships between people, reduce distances, eliminate frontiers and contribute to globalization, with express fears that they are an important factor for the dissipation and degradation of national identity. Cultural and linguistic diversity are central to the development of knowledge societies, pointing out that local and traditional knowledge can be invaluable for education, art, health, etc.... The thesis of this work is the confirmation of the immanent and immutable character of the cultural identity in social media, regarded as one of the various manifestations of the Romanian people.
The subject of study is the Romanian blogosphere, where blogs are classified on one hand in domains based on the topics they show, and on the other hand into categories related to the representation and visibility of culture and cultural identity. Blogs dedicated to social media learning are carefully evaluated. Web crawling is used to gather the data, whereas artificial intelligence and statistics are used for classification and cross-examination. The research shows interesting results, correlated with the empirical knowledge from sociological and anthropological studies.
VALUES IN THE PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY - FROM ACQUISITION TO APPLICATION
Authors: Tascovici Daliana ecaterina , Dragomir Robert gabriel
Published: February 2023

The present paper aims at presenting the actual situation as concern the values the students are taught about during their university courses on one hand and the necessity of the labour market on the other hand.
At first, we referred to the values within the European dimension of education, as they were established by the European Commission for every state. Here we made special reference to the plan of the educational contents, as it has to contain elements of proximity and coincidence.
Secondly, we talked about the new paradigms met with the educational policies. Here we stress the importance not only of knowledge, but also of competences and values the students will achieve. In order to fulfil this task, the usage of the TIC and of the educational resources opened for every type of educational contexts should be intensified. Here we also mentioned the series of activities which help the learning of the common language for a European citizenship and the defining of the new educations, adapted to the dimension of education, the European Commission and the Council of Europe propose.
The next treated aspect was to establish the defining of the problem mentioned at the beginning. Here we reach the following objectives: to describe the nature of the problem, to establish the scale of the problem, to identify the affected categories, to establish the causes of the problem, to argue the need for intervention, to estimate the risks and the uncertainty of the problem discussed and also to present the healing activities.
In order to get real information, we used the following methods: questionnaires (were disseminated to two different categories of respondents: students who want to get a job on one hand and employers on the other hand) and observations. The activities supposed data collecting, processing, analyzing and interpretation.
In the end we draw the conclusions.
DEBATES AS A DISTANCE-LEARNING TOOL
Authors: Valicnedeljkovic Dubravka
Published: February 2023

This paper presents initial experiences in using online debates as an innovative academic learning technique in multicultural and multilingual communities.
The purpose of the paper is to illustrate the potential of creative and critical learning through debates, and to demonstrate the use of new technologies in achieving such learner outcomes. Description is provided of participant experiences in debates regarding actions and values. The debates were conducted in the Karl Popper format by means of Skype, with audience questions. The debaters were journalism students of the Faculty of Philosophy at the university of Novi Sad, Serbia, and of the University of Bratislava, Slovakia. The following research methodologies were employed: a) theoretical analysis; b) descriptive method; c) group surveys as scientific discussion; e) modelling method, in which a model is offered of Skype-based debates as an innovative distance-learning technique in the context of international exchange of experiences.
Analysis of the group surveys, which were completed by the student debaters and audience, revealed that this form of learning is exceptionally dynamic, creative and demanding. Teams present constructive arguments for and rebuttals against, asking cross-questions in order to identify and resolve inconsistencies, flawed arguments, insufficient data, ambiguities and any other impediments to clear communication and learning. The debate programme has enabled the Department of Media Studies in Novi Sad to conduct quality debates using new digital technologies, and to organise international and bilateral debate tournaments in virtual time and space.
Debate tournaments as a form of intellectual competition require the participants to prepare, to analyse cause and effect, to gather data, to recognise topics of social significance, to formulate arguments, to predict social consequences if a problem remains unresolved, to identify human actions which contribute to the problem, and finally to propose solutions to conflict situations. The same type of analysis is employed by journalists in their investigative work. Therefore it is clear that such debating skills serve as useful tools in learning the process and techniques of analytical journalism. With the addition of the international aspect, the benefits are even greater. This study of the online debating experience of students from Serbia and Slovakia is a modest initial contribution to a new model of learning which merits further attention by researchers.