Manuela Epure

Publications (9) View all

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  Available from: Manuela Epure

  Article: Semantic Web Services for E-Learning

  Radu Bucea-Manea-Tonis, Cristina Barna, Ruxandra Eleonora Vasilescu, Manuela Epure, Rocsana Bucea-Manea-Tonis
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  ABSTRACT: The "triangle of learning" (education-researchinnovation) plays a central role for a positive trend in growth and job opportunities. (Eric Hoffer, 1989). In this context, lifelong learning, especially e-learning phenomenon, is of major importance. The purpose of this paper is to present a new perspective on the e-learning platforms. The new paradigm of the reconstruction of the web network architecture is semantic web that enables intelligent search and navigation on the Internet. The modern e-learning platforms have to be developed mixing the semantic web paradigm with the Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA). The ontology-based descriptions of content in the new platforms will emerge from the interaction of the participants with the educators and the content management would be co-operative.
  Information Technology & Systems eJournal. 12/2009;
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  Article: THE EUROPEAN QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK (EQF) AS THE STANDARD FOR COMPUTER AIDED ASSESMENT OF COMPETENCIES FORMATION

  Nadia Mirela, Adela Mihaela, Eric Eisenstat, Manuela Epure
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  ABSTRACT: An incorporating computer into the evaluation of learning outcomes imposes the adaptation of certain paradigms such as e-assessment to the standard framework of competencies formation (as adopted by Romania's CNCIS, following the EQF). In this context, the present article introduces several hypotheses as the foundation for an extensive future project, by which we attempt to identify whether assessment based on various LMS influences learning and teaching activities. To that end, several examples are presented, illustrating the formulation of assessment items for evaluating various learning outcomes, based on generic descriptors of professional and transversal competencies. The corresponding items formulation respects the behavioural classification of the cognitive domain, in compliance with Bloom's taxonomy. In addition, some primary research directions are discussed, especially with respect to the principle uses of LMS and the evolutionary transformation of the latter towards true AEHS-type educational structures, which systematically adapt to the needs of learning participants. Keywords: virtual learning process (e-teaching, e-learning, e-assessment), heuristic evaluation, learning outcomes, Bloom's Taxonomy, Cadrul naţional al calificărilor din învăţământul superior (CNCIS) -The national framework of qualifications in higher education.
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  Article: COMPUTER BASED-ASSESSMENT MEETING THE PROGRAM EVALUATION STANDARDS. ROMANIAN EXPERIENCE WITH BLACKBOARD TM.

  Manuela Epure, Adela Mihaela, Nadia Mirela
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  ABSTRACT: Using the Blackboard TM e-learning platform as a learning and assessment tool for five years already, brought us to the point of reevaluating and rethinking the evaluation process, shifting from traditional methods to the new and modern ones. A SWOT analysis was undertaken in order to reveal the main coordinates of the evaluation process in terms of advantages, disadvantages, opportunities and threats, while targeting as a final outcome a new approach and a new strategy, not only for the teaching staff, but mainly for the student's benefit. This paper aims to identify the functions of the Blackboard computer-based (CB) assessment, from the perspective of The Program Evaluation Standards (Stufflebeam, 1999), using as benchmarks the variables included in the Meta-evaluation Checklist. This checklist was developed by the Joint Committee Program Evaluation Standards for performing final, summative meta-evaluations; it incorporates a wide range of standards (30 items) as follows: Utility (7) Feasibility (3), Propriety (8), Accuracy (12). In this context, we attempt to demonstrate why the "Ethical Reflection" (Huotari, 2010), as a dimension of the evaluation, has become really important nowadays. Accordingly, the four steps/actions described by Huotari – Resources/Being, Interaction/Regeneration, Process /Doing, Outcomes (Effects)/Having – may be examined from the perspective of rethinking and revaluating assessment actions, at a superior level through direct and indirect connective actions. Moreover, the paper also intends to capture the long-term effects on the student's personal development as a result of the evaluative actions supported by Blackboard. Understanding such effects is indispensable in terms of designing an adequate program for monitoring and training the evaluators, in the benefit of a more tailored CB assessment.
• Article: Ecotourism – conservation of the natural and cultural heritage

  Manuela Epure, Cristina Barna, Ruxandra Vasilescu
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  ABSTRACT: Sometimes the concept of ecotourism is widely misunderstood and it is often used as a marketing instrument in order to promote tourism businesses related to nature. Ecotourism means not only nature, it also includes indigenous cultures. It is about fostering respect for nature and for cultures, too. The true ecotourism represents only “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of the local people” (TIES 1990). This paper clarifies the definition of the ecotourism concept versus related concepts as “sustainable tourism”, “responsible tourism”, “nature based travel” or “green travel”, presents the principles and benefits of ecotourism which is seen as a win-win solution and a Business Biodiversity model. We approach also the issue of commodification and ecotourism and the implications for local cultures and people. The key of a successful ecotourism which avoids the risk of corroding local cultures is the incorporation of local cultures and people into industry. Finally, the paper presents Romania case: main stakeholders and projects for Eco-Romania, which gained in 2009 two Golden Apple award for ecotourism, and a short description of two remarkable eco-destinations: Retezat National Park and Hateg Country Dinosaur Geopark, which developed the UNESCO concept of geopark and the European Geopark Network Strategy.
  Published in Review of Applied Socio-Economic Research. 1(1):87-96.
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  Article: THE POWER OF THE MESSAGE – THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN SOCIAL MARKETING CAMPAIGN AN ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL MARKETING IN ROMANIA

  Manuela Epure, Cristina DINU
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  ABSTRACT: The success of a social marketing campaign does not depend mainly on its budget but rather on the message that is sent. This article emphasize the importance of the message for successful social marketing campaigns and makes an analysis of the messages’ type/structure of leading social marketing campaigns in Romania, as a defining element contributing to the success of social marketing campaigns.Being aware of the importance of the message for a successful social marketing campaign, we propose, in this article, some ideas for improving the message structure transmitted in social marketing campaigns.Although, social marketing campaigns are run with significant funds, small importance is being given to evaluating campaign’s effectiveness and the extent to which the social behaviour of the targeted segments is truly changed. Research was conducted in order to identify the ways in which the use of other types of messages would increase the impact of social marketing campaigns.
  Annals of Spiru Haret University, Economic Series. 2(1):151-157.