scholarly journals The Role of Simulation and Serious Games in Teaching Concepts on Circular Economy and Sustainable Energy

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1138
Author(s):  
Rocio de la Torre ◽  
Bhakti S. Onggo ◽  
Canan G. Corlu ◽  
Maria Nogal ◽  
Angel A. Juan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Sustainable Energy ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
University Management ◽  
Teaching Methodologies ◽  
The Will

The prevailing need for a more sustainable management of natural resources depends not only on the decisions made by governments and the will of the population, but also on the knowledge of the role of energy in our society and the relevance of preserving natural resources. In this sense, critical work is being done to instill key concepts—such as the circular economy and sustainable energy—in higher education institutions. In this way, it is expected that future professionals and managers will be aware of the importance of energy optimization, and will learn a series of computational methods that can support the decision-making process. In the context of higher education, this paper reviews the main trends and challenges related to the concepts of circular economy and sustainable energy. Besides, we analyze the role of simulation and serious games as a learning tool for the aforementioned concepts. Finally, the paper provides insights and discusses open research opportunities regarding the use of these computational tools to incorporate circular economy concepts in higher education degrees. Our findings show that, while efforts are being made to include these concepts in current programs, there is still much work to be done, especially from the point of view of university management. In addition, the analysis of the teaching methodologies analyzed shows that, although their implementation has been successful in favoring the active learning of students, their use (especially that of serious games) is not yet widespread.

University Management in Russia: Goals, Culture, Criteria

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4-1) ◽  
pp. 77-84
Author(s):  
Vladimir Diev ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
University Management ◽  
Management Culture ◽  
Russian Higher Education ◽  
The Right ◽  
Main Message ◽  
Hierarchical Management

The paper presents a response to the article by P.A. Orekhovsky and V.I. Razumov, which was devoted to the various problems of Russian higher education and science. As far as we agree with the main message of this article, we are trying to look at the exposed problems from the point of view of management theory. We think that our view seems relevant and methodologically justified, since most of the exposed problems require serious management decisions. It is shown that sometimes absurd reforms and reorganizations pursue very specific goals, which, at the same time, are not reported to the affected entities. In this context, the metaphor of the carnival fits perfectly, and P. A. Orekhovsky and V.I. Razumov use it well. We show the importance of organizational culture within university management. Culture is not an object of manipulation. It is created by people and sometimes controls the leader even more than vice-versa. This is especially important because most of the elements of effective management (task setting, evaluation, monitoring, feedback, etc.) in each organization are to a certain extent determined by culture. It is proposed to return to a system of appointing university rectors, as this will increase the rector’s responsibility for decisions made, as well as eliminate elections, which are often formalities. The pyramidal structure of decision making means a critical dependence of the effectiveness of the organization on the qualities and abilities of the central unit, which, as a rule, consists of one senior official. If that official makes ineffective decisions, then even a perfect hierarchy will idle or even begin to self-destruct. The main flaw of such a structure is that all the information necessary for making decisions is concentrated at the bottom of the hierarchical pyramid (among the subordinates), and all the responsibility and the right to make decisions are at the top (among the senior officials). Our own position presupposes the justification of the transition from the current vertical hierarchical management model within the Russian higher education institutions to a subsidiarity model, according to which decision-making should be carried out at the lowest or least centralized level of government.

Role of University Rankings in the Context of Lack of Resources

2021 ◽  
pp. 1807-1829
Author(s):  
Magdalena Platis
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
University Rankings ◽  
University Management ◽  
Strategic Development ◽  
Higher Education Systems ◽  
Real Phenomenon ◽  
The University ◽  
Contemporary Context

In the contemporary context, educational sector faces many challenges which are reflected in specific institutional reactions. Rankings specific to higher education systems are a real phenomenon. Management teams at all levels understand differently the role of being active towards rankings – from a national support and institutional scope, to a lack of interest from both levels. Methodologies of different rankings are also different. In fact, participating in a ranking or another is something to be decided by the university management. The mission of this chapter is to reveal the role of rankings in the contemporary context of resource decreasing. Some answers will improve the decision-making process related to rankings, as well as to other institutional changes adopted in higher education institutions. The existence of rankings cannot be denied. Understanding the role of rankings is one of the most important premises for a correct strategic development of the higher education institutions.

Role of University Rankings in the Context of Lack of Resources

2017 ◽  
pp. 186-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Platis
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
University Rankings ◽  
University Management ◽  
Strategic Development ◽  
Higher Education Systems ◽  
Real Phenomenon ◽  
The University ◽  
Contemporary Context

In the contemporary context, educational sector faces many challenges which are reflected in specific institutional reactions. Rankings specific to higher education systems are a real phenomenon. Management teams at all levels understand differently the role of being active towards rankings – from a national support and institutional scope, to a lack of interest from both levels. Methodologies of different rankings are also different. In fact, participating in a ranking or another is something to be decided by the university management. The mission of this chapter is to reveal the role of rankings in the contemporary context of resource decreasing. Some answers will improve the decision-making process related to rankings, as well as to other institutional changes adopted in higher education institutions. The existence of rankings cannot be denied. Understanding the role of rankings is one of the most important premises for a correct strategic development of the higher education institutions.

scholarly journals Entry barriers and “Glass Roof” in University Management in Colombia

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (65) ◽  
pp. 18-30
Author(s):  
Cristian Bedoya Dorado ◽  
Mónica García-Solarte ◽  
Juan Sebastián Peña-Zúñiga ◽  
Steven Alejandro Piñeros Buriticá
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Role ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
University Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Social ◽  
Management Positions ◽  
The University ◽  
The Relationship

Management in the context of higher education has been characterized by the predominance of male participation, mainly in senior management positions. As a result, women’s low participation is mainly concentrated in lower management positions, and their chances of escalating hierarchical positions are mediated by various factors ranging from subjective to socially naturalized. The objective of this research is to analyze the barriers women face to enter and escalate positions in university management in Colombia. Under a qualitative design, 26 semi-structured interviews were applied to university managers from different institutions of higher education in Colombia. The transcripts were analyzed using discourse analysis through three categories: individual, internal, and external barriers of the university. It was found that women face entry and promotion barriers marked by experiences, and conditions of inequality and discrimination in a male-dominated context. These barriers are conditioned by personal elements, organizational culture, and the social role of women. In addition, women’s trajectories involve mediation between professional development and family life. The study reveals experiences that contribute to understanding the research phenomenon from the webbing of senses and meanings. It is posited that the “glass ceiling” is mediated by variables in the internal order, and by the relationship between universities and their context.

scholarly journals Analyse Discriminante Des Difficultes D’apprentissage En Milieu Universitaire : Cas Des Etudiants De La Filiere Des Sciences Economiques Et De Gestion De l’UM5R

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Saïd Radi ◽  
Salwa Bahyaoui
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Open Access ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Main Part ◽  
Learning Difficulties ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Educational Literature ◽  
Early Appearance

In a context of massification, students of open access programs in higher education encounter more learning difficulties than their counterparts of the regulated system. In the educational literature, these learning difficulties are mainly explained by deficiencies attributable to the students; their perception is seldom taken into account. This led us to explore such difficulties from the learner's point of view in an unregulated system, namely the economics and management courses of the Mohammed V University in Rabat. This exploration was based on a discriminant analysis conducted on a sample of 122 students. The results of this study, while confirming the important role of the student's behavioral and metacognitive commitment in the learning process, emphasize the deficiencies of the institution and the professors that also explain a main part of learning difficulties. They also highlight the lack of accompaniment of learners from their pupil status to that of students which reveal the early appearance of these difficulties.

A Case Study of Duke Kunshan University

2017 ◽  
pp. 21-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Vollrath ◽  
Robert A Lloyd ◽  
Yanxu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Student Engagement ◽  
International Education ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Branch Campus ◽  
International Branch Campus

This chapter considers Duke University's motivation, approach, and challenges in launching its international branch campus (IBC), Duke Kunshan University in Kunshan, China. Differing perspectives on the project are presented from the point of view of DKU students, faculty, administrators, and an international education consultant. Taken together and in the context of relevant literature and the information provided in Duke University's primary China planning document, their thoughts and observations offer valuable insight to the ongoing conversation about the role of IBCs in higher education, and coalesce around the importance of an institutional brand rooted in consistent values and a genuine culture of faculty, staff, and student engagement.

scholarly journals Trends in the Fashion Industry. The Perception of Sustainability and Circular Economy: A Gender/Generation Quantitative Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrizia Gazzola ◽  
Enrica Pavione ◽  
Roberta Pezzetti ◽  
Daniele Grechi
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Fashion Industry ◽  
Demand And Supply ◽  
Generation Z ◽  
Emerging Trends ◽  
Sustainable Fashion ◽  
Survey Results

The significant changes which have occurred in the competitive scenario in which fashion companies operate, combined with deep transformation in the lifestyles of final consumers, translate into the need to redefine the business models. Starting from a general overview of the emerging trends today affecting the fashion industry, the paper will devote particular attention to the analysis of the most important phenomena that are influencing this market and the drivers for long-lasting competitiveness: sustainability and attention to the so-called circular economy. According to the literature, from the consumer behavior’s point of view, the younger generations are paying growing attention to these issues. In light of these considerations, this paper aimed to analyze how sustainability and circular economy principles are influencing the perception of the fashion world among the new generations of consumers. After mapping the emerging trends in the fashion industry and analyzing the role of sustainability from both the demand and supply side, this paper presents the results of a survey conducted through an anonymous questionnaire made in collaboration with Insubria University. The results of the survey describe the students’ behaviour as regards fashion’s emerging trends, with particular attention to sustainability issues and the application of circular economy principles. The survey results were analyzed from both a descriptive and quantitative point of view with the aim to check the different perceptions as regards sustainable fashion and circular economy in fashion, focusing mainly on the so-called Generation Z. The results of the analysis proved to be consistent with the theoretical framework and confirm the relevance of sustainability issues in the fashion industry today in driving the demand of Generation Z, by considering a gender perspective. Moreover, the circular economy is descriptively analyzed with the aim to understand the relevance of the different facets for the entire sample of respondents.

scholarly journals Game facilitators in higher education: Analysis of current competencies and their potential optimization (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jannicke Baalsrud Hauge ◽  
Heinrich Söbke ◽  
Thomas Bröker ◽  
Theodore Lim ◽  
Angelo Marco Luccini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Specific Instruction ◽  
Powerful Learning ◽  
Competency Models ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
Further Development

UNSTRUCTURED Serious games are often said to be a powerful learning tool in higher education. The games used are often facilitated, and literature indicates that the success of the players’ learning outcomes depends on the facilitators’ competencies. Facilitators in most commercially offered game-based training have undergone specific instruction, but for facilitators in higher education, this is hardly documented. We therefore assume, that the latter is not the case. This article presents a study addressing the actual competencies of occasional game facilitators and their possible perceived competency deficits. As the authors have many years of experience as facilitators themselves, the authors defined requirements for the role of the occasional game facilitator. Based on these results, guided interviews with additional occasional game facilitators were conducted (N=4). Thereafter, an online questionnaire based on existing competency models, was answered by occasional game facilitators (N=30). The measurements primarily determine (i) Which competencies are particularly needed by the facilitator and what are training needs for the facilitator? (ii) What do current training courses for occasional game facilitators in higher education look like? (iii) How do the competencies of occasional game facilitators differ from other competencies? The results contribute to the further development of a competency model for game facilitators and consequently to the enhancement of serious games' efficiency.

Serious Games for Students' E-Assessment Literacy in Higher Education

2020 ◽  
pp. 482-505
Author(s):  
María Soledad Ibarra-Sáiz ◽  
Gregorio Rodríguez-Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Assessment Literacy ◽  
Virtual Simulations

In this chapter it will present partial results from the DevalS Project (Developing Sustainable Assessment – Improving Students' Assessment Competence through Virtual Simulations), financed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Ref. EDU2012-31804). The results will be focused on the use and usefulness of serious games for e-assessment literacy from a students' point of view. Firstly, it will introduce the project. Secondly, it will review the serious games that have been developed and implemented in different undergraduate courses. Finally, it will present the results and conclusions of surveys undertaken by students.

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