RISULTATI RICERCA

The use of digital badges in education has gained popularity in recent years, offering a novel way to recognize and certify students’ competences and learning outcomes. These badges are akin to physical awards, but they can be shared online, making them accessible to potential employers and higher education institutions. A significant feature of digital badges is the detailed description of skills they represent, which enhances their transparency and value. Research has delved into the benefits and challenges of implementing digital badges, examining their impact on student motivation, learning, assessment, and best practices in design and implementation. Digital badges provide immediate feedback, thus promoting engagement and participation. They can also be “open” or “stackable,” motivating students to pursue long-term learning goals. However, the implementation of digital badges presents challenges. To ensure integrity, digital badges must have clear and reliable criteria, and stakeholders should validate their design. Good practices include student involvement in design, collaboration with industry experts, and the use of reliable technologies. This case study, as part of a master’s degree program, found that students questioned the value of badges, emphasizing that they require teacher emphasis to be motivating and do not necessarily reflect skills attained. This study aligns with students’ preference for learning without the need for tangible rewards, highlighting how badges can be complementary but not essential to the learning process. The research indicates the importance of further evaluation and improvement of digital badge implementation to maximize their educational impact.

La letteratura converge sulla necessità di costruire una nuova alleanza tra apprendimento e valutazione poiché quest’ultima svolge una funzione strategica nell’indirizzare verso esperienze formative profonde oppure verso acquisizioni di superficie. Parimenti vi è consenso nel riconoscere la capacità di valutare e valutarsi come life skill per decidere in modo consapevole, esercitare criticamente i propri diritti e governare la complessità. In questa prospettiva, diventa urgente considerare la competenza (auto)valutativa come obiettivo formativo da perseguire all’interno del sistema scolastico già a partire dall’infanzia. Le normative vigenti aprono in tale direzione spazi di lavoro interessanti; tuttavia per cogliere tali opportunità è necessario che gli insegnanti siano adeguatamente formati. Sperimentare l’autovalutazione nella preparazione iniziale può agire da fattore facilitante la trasposizione didattica all’interno del contesto classe. Per mettere allo studio tale ipotesi è stata condotta una ricerca empirica somministrando un questionario semistrutturato a futuri insegnanti frequentanti il corso di studi in Scienze della formazione primaria. Gli esiti documentano una debole diffusione dell’autovalutazione all’interno del percorso formativo universitario e, più in generale, una scarsa presenza di pratiche valutative che valorizzano l’agency degli studenti. La problematizzazione delle evidenze emerse sul campo alla luce del quadro teorico-concettuale che emerge dalla letteratura fa risaltare un gap tra “dichiarato” ed “agito”.

Questo articolo esplora l’uso di podcast creati dagli studenti nell’educazione superiore, con un focus particolare su un corso di Archeologia Medievale dell’Università di Padova. L’articolo mette in luce come i podcast, utilizzati come progetto creativo gestito dagli studenti, possano arricchire significativamente l’apprendimento attivo e promuovere competenze fondamentali quali la ricerca, la scrittura creativa, la comunicazione scientifica e il lavoro di gruppo. Gli autori analizzano inoltre il feedback raccolto dagli studenti, che hanno riscontrato nel podcasting un metodo didattico stimolante e innovativo, capace di migliorare le loro competenze comunicative, di ricerca e digitali.

This study investigates the impact of immersive three-dimensional virtual environments on language learning and professional skills development in Higher Education. Grounded in constructivist and socio-cultural pedagogies, the research explores the implementation of the English LAB Virtual World – FrameVR-based educational platform – within two university-level English language laboratory courses for future primary school teachers. Adopting a quasi-experimental, mixed-methods design, the study analyzes learning outcomes, motivation, life skills, and perceived usability through validated tools: Cambridge Assessment-aligned tests (A2/B1), the MSLQ, the LiSST scale, and the SUS questionnaire. The experimental group, engaged in blended learning within the immersive environment, demonstrated statistically significant improvements in grammar, vocabulary, listening, and speaking skills (p < 0.001), alongside enhanced intrinsic motivation and substantial growth in life skills domains such as critical thinking, collaboration, and self-efficacy. Correlational analyses revealed strong associations between perceived usability, motivation, and transversal skills development. Qualitative data from focus groups further confirmed the transformative nature of immersive learning, emphasizing engagement, agency, and collaborative dynamics. The findings support the potential of Virtual Worlds to function not only as linguistic learning platforms but also as pedagogical ecosystems for developing 21st-century competencies. This research contributes to the evolving paradigm of the Eduverse, suggesting that virtual environments – when purposefully designed and pedagogically structured –can act as strategic enablers of inclusive, student-centered, and transformative learning in Higher Education.

L’Università di Padova ha avviato un progetto innovativo per la formazione e lo sviluppo delle competenze trasversali nel Corso di Studio (CdS) in Medicina e Chirurgia, riconoscendone il ruolo cruciale nella professionalizzazione dei futuri medici. Un’indagine esplorativa condotta tramite un questionario ha analizzato la conoscenza, l’importanza e la padronanza percepita dagli studenti rispetto a queste competenze. L’indagine ha evidenziato un disallineamento tra la rilevanza attribuita dai rispondenti e il livello effettivo di acquisizione, facendo emergere anche differenze relative alla conoscenza del significato di alcune competenze trasversali. I risultati sono stati valorizzati per progettare e introdurre un percorso formativo innovativo inserito all’interno del tirocinio dedicato agli studenti del V anno del CdS in Medicina e Chirurgia, articolato in attività online e in presenza sui temi della comunicazione, teamwork, leadership e followership. Tale proposta mira a ridurre il divario tra teoria e pratica, migliorando la preparazione dei medici ad affrontare le sfide professionali con un approccio integrato tra competenze tecniche e trasversali. L’iniziativa si colloca in un più ampio processo di innovazione didattica volto a promuovere una formazione capace di gestire la complessità del contesto medico contemporaneo e di contribuire alla sostenibilità e qualità della professione medica.

The pursuit of inclusion in higher education requires reevaluating the roles and practices of universities. While institutions are increasingly recognized as essential agents in promoting social equity and community well-being, students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders continue to encounter barriers that prevent their full participation in academic and civic life. These challenges highlight the shortcomings of current approaches and emphasize the need for systemic innovations that prioritize both citizenship and active engagement. In this context, the University of Macerata has launched a project aimed at including students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders, seeking to develop transformative strategies that align educational equity with broader objectives of promoting community development and welfare.

The relevance of this research is studying the impact of consulting projects on the sustainability of higher education institutions (HEIS) in times of crisis, adaptability, environmental quality, and well-being. The aim is to identify the main factors that affect the sustainability of HEIs in times of crisis, as well as to analyse the impact of consulting services on ensuring this resilience. The study employed the methods of consulting activity analysis, a crisis sustainability survey, and the Workplace Wellbeing Questionnaire. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and structural equation modelling were used for statistical analysis. The reliability of the research methods was tested using the Cronbach’s alpha. The results of the study revealed that 55% of the success of consulting projects is directly related to satisfaction with the work environment. Team experience showed an impact coefficient of 42%, and company resources — 38%. All obtained p-values were lower than 0.05, which indicates the statistical significance of the found relationships. The study confirmed that the sustainability of HEIs in times of crises depends on the success of consulting projects, which, in turn, correlates with satisfaction with the work environment. The experience of the team and the resources also have a significant impact on success. The results indicate the need to develop consulting services to increase the sustainability of educational institutions. The research prospects include the impact of consulting services on innovation and the quality of the educational process, as well as the role of technological innovations in sustainability in times of crisis.

Within the framework of the concept and goals of sustainable development, significant attention is paid to education for sustainable development. However, due to the diversity of national education systems, both in structure and in the content of educational programs, it is difficult to correctly compare the achievements of different countries and monitor their progress in achieving sustainable development goals at the national and international levels without appropriate comparison. In this article, the authors analyzed the leading national models of education, which are the most “mature” and developed, with an emphasis on sustainable development. The authors pay special attention to the education system of Kazakhstan, its features in comparison with these models, as well as consideration of initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable development goals in education, which are integrated into national projects and other strategic and program documents of Kazakhstan.

This study’s relevance stems from requisite state financial development strategy revision, particularly vis-à-vis tax system optimization. Research objectives entailed critically examining Kazakhstan's tax system deficiencies to identify enhancement trajectories, utilizing Polish and Croatian comparative frameworks. Methodologically, the investigation employed statistical analysis, analogical reasoning, generalization techniques, and formal legal-logical approaches. The authors posit that institutional tax structure formation correlates intrinsically with tax policy orientation and implementation. Efficacious tax systems demonstrably exhibit adaptive capacity amid fluctuating environmental determinants. Comparative legal analysis of Kazakhstani, Polish, and Croatian tax frameworks yielded potential enhancement vectors for Kazakhstan. The investigation incorporated scholarly conceptual frameworks on the subject matter. Research outcomes potentially contribute to methodological advancement in fiscal malfeasance detection.

The relevance of the subject stated in this study is due to the substantial importance of the issues of introducing electronic processes into the public procurement system, which will ensure optimal implementation of all their stages. The purpose of this study is to examine the processes of building a system of public electronic procurement as one of the key varieties of modern information technologies. In the course of the study, a combination of theoretical methods of analysis, synthesis, and generalisation of information was used. The results were obtained, indicating the existence of mandatory procedural requirements for the implementation of public electronic procurement, compliance with which guarantees the effectiveness of the operations conducted. In addition, it was established that the practical application of the public electronic procurement system has a number of advantages, among which the following should be noted: full transparency and high availability of such operations, greater cost-effectiveness compared with procedures involving the use of paper media, and the possibility of more efficient administration of operations performed. It was also noted that it is necessary to comply with the intermediate stages of the electronic public procurement process, which are mandatory in terms of achieving the ultimate efficiency of the operations performed. The real prerequisites for the development of the electronic public procurement system in the Republic of Kosovo are highlighted, considering the established political realities and the developed regulatory framework.

This scientific article identifies differences from similar concepts of reputation, to reveal the capabilities of state bodies with the right approach to the formation of their reputation. The research is based on the analysis of institutional and theoretical understandings of the reputation of state organizations, as well as on conducting an expert survey among employees of the Central Office of the Agency for Civil Service Affairs of the RK. The authors have proposed recommendations on amendments and additions to some regulatory legal acts in order to clarify the understanding of the reputation of public administration bodies, and as a result, increase their reputation, as well as attract the attention of public managers to issues of reputation management, which are becoming more relevant.

The study analyzes the fundamentals of socially conscious marketing, which are essential to maintaining multinational companies’ competitiveness. A series of recommendations for enhancing the efficacy of socially conscious marketing strategies in boosting multinational firms' competitiveness in an unpredictable market environment is the study’s practical outcome. The theoretical result was the identification of the main patterns of using socially aware marketing techniques to increase the competitiveness of multinational corporations in an unpredictable market environment.

The study aims to conduct an in-depth analysis of strategies to improve tax compliance in a dynamic shadow economy. The study addressed the problem of the shadow economy, which poses a serious threat to the economies of both developed and developing countries. The shadow economy includes illegal and informal activities, such as tax evasion, illegal employment and corruption, which result in significant losses for public finances. In countries with high levels of shadow economy, budgets face deficits, forcing governments to raise taxes or borrow money, slowing economic growth. The study also addressed the impact of cryptocurrencies on the shadow economy. The anonymity of cryptocurrency transactions hinders tax liability tracking, thus creating additional challenges for tax authorities. The study employed data on the countries with the largest number of cryptocurrency holders and analysed their impact on financial stability. Informal social networks and communities are substantial in shaping tax behaviour. In countries with a high level of social cohesion, taxpayers tend to follow official rules, while in countries with low trust in government institutions, informal networks can facilitate tax evasion. The study cited examples of successful tax legislation strategies from various countries, such as Estonia, Germany and Australia, and provided recommendations for optimising tax policy in Azerbaijan. These recommendations include increasing transparency, simplifying tax administration, fighting corruption, reducing the tax burden and encouraging legal economic activity. The successful implementation of the proposed measures could significantly reduce the shadow economy and increase tax revenues to the Azerbaijani budget.

In modern criminal legal systems, the institution of parole is an important element aimed at the rehabilitation of convicts and their social adaptation. The purpose of the study is to study the theoretical and practical problems associated with its application, including issues of legal guarantees and the effectiveness of the institute as a whole. The article uses a comprehensive approach that includes an analysis of current legislation, judicial practice, as well as a sociological study of the opinions of practicing lawyers and representatives of the penitentiary system. The authors propose a number of recommendations for improving the institution of parole, including clarifying legislative norms, increasing transparency and predictability of court decisions, as well as strengthening the role of preventive and rehabilitative measures for convicts. The implementation of the proposed measures will balance the interests of society and the rights of convicts, as well as increase the effectiveness of the institution of parole in the rehabilitation of criminals.

Environmental management of territorial communities is important for preserving natural resources and mitigating environmental risks, which contributes to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness and impact of environmental protection expenditure (EPE) as an important tool of environmental management on the sustainable development of territorial communities. The study employs regression analysis, correlation analysis, and comparison methods. The study identified the most effective areas of EPE by territorial communities. These include: other activities in the field of ecology and protection of natural resources, environmental protection measures at the expense of special-purpose funds, protection and rational use of natural resources. The effectiveness of such areas was determined through a regression analysis of the impact of EPE on the environmental indicators of the relevant regions. The volume of pollutant emissions into the atmosphere is most affected by expenditures on other activities in the field of ecology and protection of natural resources with a regression coefficient of -0.542787. Environmental protection measures at the expense of special funds have a significant impact on total waste generation (-0.782511) and on the volume of polluted wastewater (-0.443516). Regression analysis did not reveal a statistically significant impact of any of the variables on the I-III hazard class waste generation and the number of cases of malignant neoplasms. The environmental policy of territorial communities should focus on the identified effective areas of expenditure and revise expenditures that do not contribute to improving environmental indicators. It should be noted that the volume of expenditures is not the most important factor in efficiency — the quality of planning and management is of key importance. The findings may be useful for territorial communities to improve the environmental management system in terms of managing the effectiveness of expenditures on environmental protection.

The aim of the research was to study financial instruments ensuring the food market sustainability in the face of economic and environmental challenges. The research employed the following methods: SWOT analysis, econometric, correlation, and regression analysis. The analysis of investment in agricultural technologies showed a significant increase in interest in innovations, in particular in response to global challenges, such as climate change. In particular, the use of IoT in agriculture has contributed to an increase in the yield of major crops such as wheat, corn, and soybeans. The study found that the use of financial instruments, such as grants, technical assistance, loan guarantees and equity investments, effectively reduces financial risks. A promising direction for further research is to study in more detail the effectiveness of the use of mixed financial instruments for the sustainable development of the agricultural sector.

The research examines the impact of implementing sustainability strategies on organizational performance in companies across countries. The paper uses econometric modelling, regression analysis and case study analysis to examine how regulatory frameworks, technological infrastructure, market environment, and social environment culture influence the relationship between sustainability strategies and performance indicators. The results show that implementing sustainable practices increases economic performance by 25% and reduces energy costs by an average of 18%. Employee satisfaction increased by 15% in companies that implemented sustainability strategies. The study confirms that digital technologies accelerate the integration of sustainable practices, ensuring their scalability. The findings can be applied across a range of industries, including the improvement of strategic planning and sustainability policymaking.