George Totkov

• DSc.
• Professor at Plovdiv University

Call for Papers Scientific Journal - Volume VI, Number 3, 2024 ISSN 2682 – 9517 (Print) | ISSN 2683 – 0930 (Online) The Journal of Informatics and Innovative Technologies (JIIT) invites submissions for its upcoming issue slated for Volume VI, Number 3, 2024. JIIT is a quarterly Open Access journal dedicated to showcasing original research finding...

The increasingly widespread use of software solutions to digitize training and administrative processes in educational institutions of all levels increases the interest in offering models and software tools for measuring the level of digitalization of educational institutions. The article presents a formal model for evaluating the digital level of...

Call for Papers Scientific Journal - Volume VI, Number 2, 2024 ISSN 2682 – 9517 (Print) | ISSN 2683 – 0930 (Online) The Journal of Informatics and Innovative Technologies (JIIT) invites submissions for its upcoming issue slated for Volume VI, Number 2, 2024. JIIT is a quarterly Open Access journal dedicated to showcasing original research findings...

How to measure the quality of education is one of the challenges when trying to provide competitive teaching and learning service. Educational institutions, evaluation and accreditation agencies, and experts in different professional fields are involved in this process. The widespread approach is for the providers of educational services to try to...

Scientific journal - Call for papers: Volume VI, Number 1, 2024, ISSN 2683-0930 (Online). You may register as an author and submit your article for the next issue of the journal at: https://journal.iiit.bg (contacts: tripleit.journal@gmail.com) The JIIT is a Quarterly Open Access Journal of Informatics and Innovative Technologies a specialized scie...

Creating criteria, qualitative and quantitative indicators used at evaluation and accreditation of objects in higher education, based on the so called “criteria systems”, along with methodologies and procedures, requires analysis of concrete problems. Ten basic problems of the accreditation system in the Bulgarian higher education system are presen...

This study covers the techniques and tools suitable for creating a natural language interface (NLI) of a system for dynamic quality monitoring in education. The main objective is to automatize the generation of values of quantitative indicators based on raw data of the assessed objects. The implementation of such an NLI requires the creation of a)...

Този доклад описва едно изследване в областта на компютърната лингвистика, което включва лингвистични модели за описание на разглежданата предметна област и алгоритъм за разработване на софтуерен модул, независещ от езика на програмиране, за обработка на потребителски въпроси и извличане на отговори от базата данни на системата. Софтуерните системи...

The research presents an algorithm for creating a programming language and query language independent software module that handles the task of extracting information from a relational database from a natural language user question. The goal can be achieved through pre-built models describing concepts from the domain area under consideration, manage...

The research is a crossroads in the fields of Informatics and Computational Linguistics and illustrates the understanding and interpretation of texts in natural language by computers. The focus of the research is the presented methodology for describing domain area. In it, the computer is trained with the help of grammar rules and storage (classifi...

Scientific journal - Call for papers: Volume IV, Number 3, 2022, ISSN 2683-0930 (Online). You may register as an author and submit your article for the next issue of the journal at: https://journal.iiit.bg (contacts: tripleit.journal@gmail.com). The JIIT is a Quarterly Open Access Journal of Informatics and Innovative Technologies a specialized sci...

Scientific journal - Call for papers: Volume IV, Number 1, 2022, ISSN 2683-0930 (Online). You may register as an author and submit your article for the next issue of the journal at: https://journal.iiit.bg (contacts: tripleit.journal@gmail.com) The JIIT is a Quarterly Open Access Journal of Informatics and Innovative Technologies a specialized scie...

The objective evaluation of qualitative indicators requires the extraction and processing of huge amounts of data. The paper aims to propose a model for extracting values of quantitative indicators to a quality evaluation system with the help of natural language analysis. It presents an algorithm and the development of a software module, which use...

A model of a software tool for semantic text search and retrieval of information about objects, implemented in Python, is presented. The computer processing of natural user text and understanding of the semantics of the text so that it gives useful answers for the users is a task of the natural language processing, by means of which the results in...

Scientific journal - Call for papers: Volume 3 | Number 2 | july 2021 | ISSN 2683-0930 (Online). You may register as an author and submit your article for the next issue of the journal at: https://journal.iiit.bg (contacts: tripleit.journal@gmail.com)

The ability to use a natural database query language has the potential to attract many users who have no experience in using database query manipulation languages such as SQL, which is the primary language for storing and retrieving queries in relational databases. The aim here is to solve the problem of transformation and machine interpretation of...

The paper introduces a hybrid model for quality evaluation of the educational process in high school, based on a set of qualitative and quantitative indicators. The model overcomes the subjectivity of external evaluation by using a relatively small number, clear and objectively measurable criteria for different types of indicators, divided into 12...

The paper presents a proprietary software system for Modelling of Processes for Data Accumulation and Synthesis in Higher Education, which is designed and developed to overcome the lack of tools suitable enough for work-flows manipulation in the field of Higher Education (HE). The system allows modelling processes in the form of "workflows", accumu...

Cloud adoption is an attractive technological innovation due to the capital cost reduction and fast quality improvements it provides. In this paper, we present a new fuzzy methodology for cloud service selection. Product features and functionalities, customer support, customer rating, and security options are just a few of the factors influencing c...

The paper presents the main concepts of an approach which can be used in a corporate environment for Adaptive education of employees. A formal model is proposed to facilitate adaptivity in terms of pursuing personal and corporate goals. Software prototypes, which prove the applicability of the model, are presented and discussed.

Natural language processing is the set of methods for making human language accessibility from computers. An approach that facilitates search in database even for casual non-technical literate users is to use a natural language interface (IEE) for databases. It is important for these IEEs to be intelligent and reliable enough to interpret the most...

The paper presents an algorithm for generating SQL queries to database (DB) based on user text-query. The requests are submitted by the user through text in natural (Bulgarian) language. The algorithm is based on an analysis of a relatively short text, which is supposed to contain a query to DB. Surface analysis aims to distinguish in the text toke...

The paper presents a comprehensive approach for quality evaluation of higher education through data accumulation and aggregation. The proposed approach is tested for data accumulation and aggregation for NEAA criteria systems in Bulgaria. For this purpose, the criteria systems that this agency applies for quality evaluation in higher education are...

The paper presents a part of a study on the application of frames for the representation of knowledge and processes in programming training. The proposed accumulative frame model serves as a basis for automation of e-learning and e-training activities by the implementation of tools for extraction, aggregation and accumulation of data and knowledge...

The article presents a frame model for conceptual description of a subject area by presenting a detailed structure of multiple objects and concepts, knowledge about them, hierarchies of types, rules, specifying classes and relations between them. Include all possible words and word combinations that formalize a subject area. The model itself repres...

В настоящата разработка е представено изследване в областта на компютърната лингвистика относно теоретичен модел за семантично описание на лексикални единици и процеси. Моделът сам по себе си представя знания и отразява концептуалната организация напаметта на човек, както и нейната гъвкавост и нагледност. При създаването на подходящ набор от т. нар...

This paper describes a workflow based approach towards workplace education. Proprietary workflow description and execution environments are used to create a certain application. In order to overcome existing difficulties and functional deficiency in reviewed systems and approaches, we designed a specific modular structure, which contains six module...

В статията е представена методология за разработване на система от шаблони за съответствие, позволявайки запитвания към таблици с данни, използвайки въпроси на естествен език. Предложен е алгоритъм, с помощта на който информационната система превежда потребителския въпрос на естествен език до изпълнима SQL заявка, като диференцира и параметризира ч...

A software environment CumuFormo for designing prototypes of frames and instances of frames with slots of different types is introduced. CumuFormo supports different databases and facilitates modeling of pedagogical scenarios in the form of e-learning workflows. The software tool Alpaca and a workflow interpreter, named EMS, are used in the develop...

Each educational institution faces the challenge of improving the quality of education. In recent years, more attention has been paid to the quality assessment in secondary education. The quality of education in secondary schools is defined by a set of indicators that characterise different aspects of the learning process: learning content, trainin...

The paper presents a model, architecture and software system COMPAS-M for tracking, analysis and monitoring of various components and elements of a corporative infrastructure. In general, COMPAS-M allows modeling, virtualization (i.e. start-up and maintenance of a life cycle) and management of: a) specific information structures ‒ segments of corpo...

Quality assurance and evaluation of distance learning is of a high priority for any up-to-date higher education institution. Worldwide, a number of specialised independent institutions (ISO, ENQA, EFMD, Quality Matters Program, ACODE, EFQUEL, etc.) are involved in the development of models for quality evaluation of distance learning. Moreover, acco...

Digital technologies have imposed a vast change in the business environment in recent years, requiring rapid digitization of business. Many companies are developing and offering frameworks, models and services for business digitization and helping industry to transform and retain competitive. For example, successful instruments to guide organizatio...

EMSG е създаден прототип на административна процедура, описваща преместването на студент. За целите, свързани с адаптивния подход на е-обучение на работното място са направени препоръки за "наблюдаващ процес" и "вуртуален потребител". Ключови думи: електронно обучение, работно място, работни потоци, бизнес процеси Въведение Все повече фирми и индус...

Conceptual and Computer Modeling of Processes with Accumulation and Synthesis of Data in Higher Education: A significant part of the contemporary university information systems lack the tools for modelling, modification , virtualization and accompanying of processes. The paper introduces a software prototype, based on process virtualization tools i...

The paper aims to propose, investigate and test suitable means for automation of the processes for dynamic quality evaluation of objects in a given subject area. On the basis of the theoretical study a number of conceptual and computational models are proposed. In consequence, the architecture of a software system for dynamic quality evaluation is...

Nowadays, the big data is becoming more and more important in the field of education. The huge amounts of data generated by the participants in the learning processes led to increased interest in the collection and analysis of student data to support and obtain insight into the students' learning activities. This formed a new research field, known...

The current paper includes formal definition of the grammar of the proprietary scripting procedural language used by the proprietary EMS Workflow management Environment of Dextro Research Ltd. (DR) as an inseparable part of project metadata, which developers create using the DR Script Editor and DR Step Shop IDE tools. Unique features and operators...

This paper presents a study on known approaches for quality assurance of educational test and test items. On its basis a comprehensive approach to the quality assurance of online educational testing is proposed to address the needs of all stakeholders (authors of online tests, teachers, students, experts, quality managers, etc.). According to the p...

Използването на фризови представяния на знания в обучението има дълга история. Статията представя част от изследване за приложение на фреймови представяния на знания за нуждите на е-обучението. На базата на предложения акумулативен фреймов модел за представяне и акумулиране на знания е създадена система от 20 акумулативни фреймови модела за концепт...

The use of frame-based knowledge representations in training methods has a long history. The paper presents a part of a study on the application of frame-based computer representations of knowledge for the needs of e-learning. It proposes an innovative modification of frame models, called accumulative frame model (AFM). The AFM is a development of...

The paper presents the architecture of a web-based system for automated generation of test units for diagnostics and development of cognitive skills. The system supports a database (DB) containing information objects of different type (text, images), including metadata used in the generation process. The database is updated through queries to exter...

Променитев ученето, образованието и обучението се стимулират от два важни и широкообхватни процеса: развитие на единна европейска образователна среда във висшето образование –European Higher Education Area (т.нар. Болонски процес) и повишаванена Европейското сътрудничество в професионалното образование и обучение–Vocational Education and Training (...

The generality of the frame representations determines their broad application in a lot of diverse areas. The article introduces a part of a research on the implementation of the frame representations in e-learning, which is devoted to theoretical study of frame models and analysis of their known applications.

Accumulative frame models (AFMs) are relatively autonomous, logically distinct units, that are distinguished by the possibility of multiple use in different situations. For their description, a named frame structure, consisting of slots is used. The report examines the structure of the frames and the ways in which they are presented, focusing on th...

Abstract: The paper explores the possibility for automated accumulation and aggregation of data for quality evaluation of higher education. A model for automated accumulation and aggregation of data specified for institutional accreditation by the NEAA criteria system is proposed. An analysis of the possibilities for automated data accumulation for...

A relation between the terms frame and programming invariant is established on the basis of the term Accumulative frame pattern (AFP). As a consequence two methods for initial training in programming are proposed and experimented. The first method (" source code reading and understanding ") refers to training for analysing unknown program code by d...

The use of frames as a mean of presenting knowledge in artificial intelligence has been suggested by M. Minsky in 1974. Frames are used in the theory and practice of e-learning (in Physics, Mathematics, English, etc.) as a mean for classifying and cataloguing of learning units in the text. The relevant methodology is based on the students' solution...

Понятието „фрейм“ е въведено в изкуствения интелект от М. Мински през 1974 г. като средство за представяне на знания. По-късно, чрез т. нар. „фреймови опори“ е използвано в обучението по математика, физика, химия, английски език и др. В работата се дискутира специфичен подход за прилагане на фреймови модели в е-обучението за автоматизирано генерира...

The paper describes a methodology, data structures, algorithms and software implementing a smart indexing methodology which is used in the integrated repository framework rePoU, created in the University of Plovdiv. The framework was created to facilitate the storage of files and various data objects and a certain amount of heterogeneous metadata a...

DYNAMIC QUALITY EVALUATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION (WITH APPLICATIONS IN E-LEARNING) Abstract. The paper presents a general model of process for quality evaluation (QE). Conceptual and computational models of methodology for QE are defined on its basis as well as the functional specifications of a software system for dynamic QE (SDQE). The SDQE provide...

The paper presents an approach towards project quality, aiming to reach a higher maturity level in the quality management of the finishing this year FETCH project (Future Education and Training in Computing: How to learn anytime anywhere) funded by the European Commission Lifelong Learning Programme. It describes the concept of this approach and th...

В работата се въвежда понятието 'е-университет' като уеб базирана среда – основа за изграждане на информационната структура на конкретен (реално съществуващ и действащ) университет. Представени са нормативни изисквания, стандарти и спецификации (в български и международен контекст), използвани при проектирането на среда от тип 'е-университет', моде...

The paper presents a formal model for generation of personalized learning paths. The paths consist of self-modifying learning activities suitable for the achievement of course goals. The course goals (as defined by the teacher) are a list of functions/predicates with specific slots and include obligatory activities required for the automatized cons...

The paper presents a model for quality evaluation of test items (TI) and tests used in various forms of e-learning in higher education. The model is based on surveys among students and experts concerning the design, development, implementation and evaluation of TI and tests in e-learning. The software module has been developed and experimented in o...

Книгата „Свободният софтуер в е-обучението“ разглежда видовете софтуер и лицензи, като специално внимание се отделя на понятието „свободен софтуер“ и на популярни софтуерни продукти, разпространявани под формата на свободен софтуер в българското образование – операционни системи, браузери, офис пакети, системи за управление на обучението и създаван...

В книгата се разглеждат методически и нормативни проблеми, свързани с провеждане на ЕДФО, и по-специално елементи, модели, системи и форми на ЕДФО във ВО. Основни акценти са:  акредитация на ДО (документи, подготовка, организация, провеждане, качество и оценяване);  стандарти и нормативни документи  добри практики, препоръки и др. Предварително...

Докладът обхваща предварителен анализ на универсални принципи за създаване на релативен дизайн на уеб системи за мобилното обучение. Разгледани са основните принципи за създаването на мобилно обучение, както и препоръки по отношение на дизайна на образователни материали за редица мобилни устройства. Настоящата статия се простира над дискусията чрез...

Creating reliable, reusable and efficient tests is a long and time-consuming process. One of the most important stages is creating a question bank. An approach to automatized generation of test items of different types is presented in this paper. It is based on the accumulative method that uses stored and assessed test items in the process of doing...

A System of Academic Standards for Describing and Archiving of e-Learning Courses and Digital Resources: The paper presents a set of metadata (as a system of internal university standards) for the description of e-learning courses and digital resources based on ECTS, the benchmark system of the National Agency for Assessment and Accreditation in Hi...

The work presents ideas and implementations of an university project in the field of e-learning and distance learning. Based on the positive experiences and results of the research produced over the past 25 years, performed a strategic objective-making Plovdiv University a national standard for organization and conduct of quality e-learning in high...

Книгата „Съвременни направления на e-oбучението“ е посветена на „горещи“ области на изследвания и приложения в e-oбучението – мобилно обучение и тех-нологии, стандарти за e-oбучение, модели и системи за адаптивно и персонализи-рано обучение и др. В книгата е представен и проект на адаптивна система за e-oбучение, базиран на формален модел на изучав...

Книга „Увод в е-обучението“ от поредицата „Е-обучението“ е посветена на електронното и дистанционно обучение. В нея е направeн опит да се представи широк спектър от направления, актуални за разглежданата област – от образованието в съвременното информационно общество, до основни проблеми и въпроси, свързани с е-обучението – същност, модели, системи...

В книгата се представя интегрирана среда от тип „електронен университет“ и резултати, постигнати по време на изпълнението на проект СИРИУС. Средата (нари-чана в случаи, когато това не довежда до двусмислие отново СИРИУС) е надстройка на софтуерна система Пловдивски електронен университет (ПеУ) резултат на про-ект, осъществен с финансовата подкрепа...

This paper presents the first Bulgarian university portal accessible to people with special educational needs that supports all WAI accessibility standards. The accessibility standards and requirements for such websites are analyzed and are considered software solutions for assisting their implementation and validation. In result, the methodology f...

The paper presents a working prototype of an adaptive learning management system (LMS) and a generalized schema for achieving process awareness in an LMS (or other type of system). Further, it proposes a reference implementation to the generalized schema based on the open-source computer learning environment Moodle and achieves adaptability by util...

The article describes a conceptual metamodel of methodologies for assessing the quality of education. The metamodel is abstract and extensible. It defines the basic concepts, objects, operations and the relations between them in a single methodology. The proposed metamodel is used for the building of COMPASS - a software system for (self) evaluatio...

Adaptive e-learning systems enhance efficiency in education by providing personalized e-course content (e.g., learning materials and activities) that changes with respect to learners' needs and achievements. An adaptive approach is presented in this paper, which is based upon accumulative digital activities and which is ordered according to pre-est...

In this paper we present a system for accompanying of the process of Bachelor and Master thesis administration, including all stages: publication of thesis themes, thesis choice, documents fulfillment, thesis writing, thesis submission, thesis review, thesis publication, etc. The system is developed on the base of business process modeling system I...

Discussion on the problem of automating laborious academic procedures associated with (self) evaluation of the quality. Presentation of approaches to modelling of methodologies,objects and activities related to this type of procedures. The proposed models are the basis of a project of a computer system for modelling of methods and procedures for qu...

This article presents a project which addresses the building of a collection of significant amount of heterogeneous digital materials (presenting a wide range of movable and immovable cultural heritage, e.g. his-torical buildings, archaeological sites, museum and art galleries objects, etc.). The project has a twofold objec-tive, to make the digita...

The main purpose of this book is to provide an overview of the current trends in the field of digitization of cultural heritage as well as to present recent research done within the framework of the project D002-308 funded by Bulgarian National Science Fund. The main contributions of the work presented are in organizing digital content, metadata ge...