1. Empowering engineering & technology and practice teachers : joining virtual exchanges for enriched learningDejan Zemljak, Borut Čampelj, Urška Martinc, Maja Kerneža, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of the research was to explore how virtual exchanges can empower teachers of engineering and technology and practical subjects. The aim was to determine whether and how these teachers see virtual exchanges as an opportunity for personal and professional development, improvement of teaching, and exchange of good practices. Findings: The research was conducted at the beginning of the 2023/2024 school year with interviews conducted via online video calls. The sample included 16 teachers and 2 students (future teachers of engineering and technology). Before the interviews, participants received an introductory presentation of the concept of virtual exchanges and then answered four pre-prepared questions that focused on the perception and meaning of these exchanges for teachers. Originality/value: The paper is important because it focuses on a less researched area -the use of virtual exchanges in the context of technical education that includes practical work. The research fills a gap in the literature and offers valuable insights for the development of international collaboration among teachers of technical subjects and for the design of supporting platforms, tools and policies that would enable and promote this collaboration.
Keywords: virtual exchanges, education, teacher professional development, intercultural collaboration, practice-based pedagogy
Published in DKUM: 21.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
 Full text (327,37 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
2. Collaboration as a soft skill in special education teachers : a systematic literature reviewAssimina Tsibidaki, Aikaterini Vrachna, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: This study explores the role of collaboration as a crucial soft skill for special education teachers (SETs), focusing on its impact on their professional development and teaching practices. Through a qualitative review of 15 studies (2012–2024), findings highlight that, while collaboration enhances inclusive education, challenges persist, including heavy workloads, large class sizes, limited training, and negative attitudes. SETs view collaboration with schools, families, and colleagues as vital to improving both teaching effectiveness and student outcomes. The study underscores the need to integrate collaborative practices into teacher preparation programs to foster professional growth and create more inclusive, supportive learning environments.
Keywords: collaboration, soft skill, special education teachers (SETs), systemic literature review
Published in DKUM: 14.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 7
Full text (1,06 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
3. Optimizing berth allocation for maritime autonomous surface ships (MASSs) in the context of mixed operation scenariosShen Lixin, Xueting Shu, Chengcheng Li, Tomaž Kramberger, Xiaoguang Li, Lixing Jiang, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: This study deals with berth allocation for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASSs) in the context of the mixed operation of MASSs and manned vessels from the perspective of port-shipping companies’ collaboration. Two berth allocation strategies, namely the separated-type and the mixed-type, are proposed in this article. Two mixed integer nonlinear programming models aimed at minimizing the total docking cost of the vessels in the port and the waiting time for berths are developed and solved using Gurobi, respectively. A large-scale simulation of the mixed-type berth allocation model is carried out using an improved simulated annealing algorithm. Several experiments are conducted to test the effectiveness of the model and to draw insights for commercializing autonomous vessels. The presented results show that multi-objective modeling and optimization should be conducted from the collaboration of port-shipping companies, which is more efficient from the perspective of shipping companies or ports, respectively. When berth resources are limited or there is a high requirement for operational safety, the separated-type berth allocation strategy is more efficient. When the number of MASS-dedicated berths reaches a certain proportion, the total docking cost of the vessel no longer changes, indicating that more dedicated berths are not better.
Keywords: maritime autonomous surface ship (MASS), mixed operation scenarios, berth allocation, mixed integer programming, simulated annealing algorithm, port-shipping companies’ collaboration
Published in DKUM: 18.06.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
Full text (5,17 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
4. The NASA-TLX approach to understand workers workload in humanrobot collaborationAljaž Javernik, Borut Buchmeister, Robert Ojsteršek, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Human-robot collaboration (HRC) is becoming increasingly widespread in today's production systems, as it can contribute to achieving more efficient and flexible production systems. Given the growing importance of HRC, this paper addresses the significance of human workload in HRC. To study workers workload an experiment was conducted using NASA-TLX questionnaire. The experiment featured two scenarios involving the same operation but varying robot motion parameters. Recognizing that individual differences contribute to success of collaboration, the experiment considered worker utilization in relation to robot motion parameters. To ensure the credibility of the experimental results, the robot motion parameters were adjusted to each individual in order to achieve the same conditions and utilization at all participants. Results revealed that worker utilization, in conjunction with robot motion parameters significantly influenced worker workload. The results highlight the need for personalized guidelines in collaborative workplaces that emphasize individual differences in abilities, skills and personalities to increase overall well-being and robot and worker productivity.
Keywords: human-robot collaboration, industry 5.0, collaborative workplace, NASA-TLX, safety awareness, worker well-being, worker workload
Published in DKUM: 10.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 79
Full text (615,62 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
5. Multilayer representation of collaboration networks with higher-order interactionsE. Vasilyeva, A. Kozlov, Karin Alfaro-Bittner, D. Musatov, A. M. Raigorodskii, Matjaž Perc, Stefano Boccaletti, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Collaboration patterns offer important insights into how scientific breakthroughs and innovations emerge in small and large research groups. However, links in traditional networks account only for pairwise interactions, thus making the framework best suited for the description of two-person collaborations, but not for collaborations in larger groups. We therefore study higher-order scientific collaboration networks where a single link can connect more than two individuals, which is a natural description of collaborations entailing three or more people. We also consider different layers of these networks depending on the total number of collaborators, from one upwards. By doing so, we obtain novel microscopic insights into the representativeness of researchers within different teams and their links with others. In particular, we can follow the maturation process of the main topological features of collaboration networks, as we consider the sequence of graphs obtained by progressively merging collaborations from smaller to bigger sizes starting from the single-author ones. We also perform the same analysis by using publications instead of researchers as network nodes, obtaining qualitatively the same insights and thus confirming their robustness. We use data from the arXiv to obtain results specific to the fields of physics, mathematics, and computer science, as well as to the entire coverage of research fields in the database.
Keywords: network, collaboration, social physics, complex system
Published in DKUM: 18.10.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
Full text (1,36 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
6. An innovative approach for improving information exchange between palliative care providers in Slovenian primary health : a qualitative analysis of testing a new toolErika Zelko, Jožica Ramšak-Pajk, Nevenka Krčevski-Škvarč, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Background: Interprofessional collaboration is an important part of palliative care. Effective communication and information exchange is essential for a high quality of care. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of a new tool for exchanging information between professionals in palliative care on primary healthcare level. Methods: With suggestions from the experts regarding palliative care needs in an interprofessional team from the Delphi study and community nurses from the field, we developed a paper version of the tool. The paper version was tested in a pilot phase, and subsequently, we conducted ten semi-structured interviews with the users of the new tool to test its feasibility and usability. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, leading to improvement and development of the digital version of the new tool. Results: After completing the pilot phase of the research, we identified the following four categories: a systematic tool for more consistent treatment and better communication during the patient’s visit; training and empowerment; quality, safety and digitalization; these categories were later included in the final version of the digital communication tool. Conclusion: Effective palliative care requires a good exchange of information and communication between all care professionals who work with the patient. Effective communication contributes to making patients and their relatives feel safe in their home environment and allows patients to stay in their homes even as their disease progresses. The systematical new tool was assessed as useful to improve interdisciplinary cooperation and prepared in a digital version. Further research after the long-term use of the developed digital tool in everyday work might confirm its sustaining importance.
Keywords: palliative care, family medicine, interprofessional collaboration, telemedicine
Published in DKUM: 09.07.2024; Views: 104; Downloads: 17
Full text (227,44 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
7. Attractiveness of collaborative platforms for sustainable e-learning in business studiesSimona Sternad Zabukovšek, Zdenko Deželak, Silvia Parusheva, Samo Bobek, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: E-learning platforms have become more and more complex. Their functionality included in learning management systems is extended with collaborative platforms, which allow better communication, group collaboration, and face-to-face lectures. Universities are facing the challenge of advanced use of these platforms to fulfil sustainable learning goals. Better usability and attractiveness became essential in successful e-learning platforms, especially due to the more intensive interactivity expected from students. In the study, we researched the user experience of students who have used Moodle, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet. User experience is, in most cases, connected with a person’s perception, person’s feelings, and satisfaction with the platform used. Data were collected using a standard UEQ questionnaire. With this research, we examined whether user experience factors: perceived efficiency, perceived perspicuity, perceived dependability, perceived stimulation, and perceived novelty affect perceived attractiveness, which is an important factor in the sustainability of e-learning tools. The collected data were processed using SmartPLS. The research study showed that all studied factors have a statistically significant impact on perceived attractiveness. Factor perceived stimulation has the strongest statistically significant impact on the perceived attractiveness of e-learning platforms, followed by perceived efficiency, perceived perspicuity, perceived novelty, and perceived dependability.
Keywords: e-learning platform, collaboration platform, usability, user experience
Published in DKUM: 09.07.2024; Views: 116; Downloads: 11
Full text (969,15 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
8. The role of rhetoric in teacher virtual exchangesMaja Kerneža, Metka Kordigel Aberšek, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Educators’ rhetorical skills are pivotal in virtual collaboration between teachers and parents, enhancing communication clarity and overcoming cultural barriers, thereby enriching educational experience and fostering intercultural understanding. A review of scientific databases such as Academic Search Complete, ERIC, SCOPUS, and Web of Science, was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles from 2018 onwards that explore the role of rhetoric in teacher virtual exchanges. Articles were analysed for themes, findings, biases, and research gaps. A notable finding is the lack of research on rhetoric in virtual teacher exchanges, despite its potential to overcome cultural barriers and enhance collaboration. The study reveals that effective rhetorical techniques can improve clarity, persuasiveness, and intercultural understanding in virtual exchanges, indicating a need for more research and educational programs in this area. Furthermore, the study extends to virtual communication between teachers and parents, especially with non-native speakers or those with limited proficiency in the official language. This highlights the need for teachers to use sophisticated rhetorical strategies in diverse linguistic situations to improve understanding and involvement. In summary, the research underscores the significant impact of rhetorical skills in virtual teacher exchanges, with broader implications for global collaboration and intercultural understanding in the educational sphere.
Keywords: educational technology, intercultural communication, parent-teacher collaboration, rhetorical strategies, virtual exchange
Published in DKUM: 21.05.2024; Views: 140; Downloads: 28
Full text (652,52 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
9. The importance of recognizing roles in teams for higher-quality work in preschools and schoolsJurka Lepičnik-Vodopivec, Maja Hmelak, 2015, published scientific conference contribution Keywords: vzgojiteljice, vloge, timsko delo, sodelovanje, komunikacija, preschool teacher, roles, team work, collaboration, communication
Published in DKUM: 27.03.2024; Views: 263; Downloads: 14
 Link to full text |
10. LiDAR-Based Maintenance of a Safe Distance between a Human and a Robot ArmDavid Podgorelec, Suzana Uran, Andrej Nerat, Božidar Bratina, Sašo Pečnik, Marjan Dimec, Franc Žaberl, Borut Žalik, Riko Šafarič, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: This paper focuses on a comprehensive study of penal policy in Slovenia in the last 70 years, providing an analysis of statistical data on crime, conviction, and prison populations. After a sharp political and penal repression in the first years after World War II, penal and prison policy began paving the way to a unique "welfare sanction system", grounded in ideas of prisoners' treatment. After democratic reforms in the early 1990s, the criminal legislation became harsher, but Slovenia managed to avoid the general punitive trends characterized by the era of penal state and culture of control. The authoritarian socialist regime at its final stage had supported the humanization of the penal system, and this trend continued in the first years of the democratic reforms in the 1990s, but it lost its momentum after 2000. In the following two decades, Slovenia experienced a continuous harshening of criminal law and sanctions on the one hand and an increasing prison population rate on the other. From 2014 onwards, however, there was a decrease in all segments of penal statistics. The findings of the study emphasize the exceptionalism of Slovenian penal policy, characterized by penal moderation, which is the product of the specific local historical, political, economic, and normative developments.
Keywords: LIDAR, robot, human-robot collaboration, speed and separation monitoring, intelligent control system, geometric data registration, motion prediction
Published in DKUM: 16.02.2024; Views: 417; Downloads: 38
Full text (5,27 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
