WORKSHOP: An example of Building and Running the RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) Application with Oracle AI Vector Search

LECTURER: Morana Butković, Manager - Account Cloud Engineering at Oracle

Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) is an important component in Generative AI. It allows important context to be included with the prompt to the LLM. This helps businesses resolve LLM issues like hallucinating, retrieving confidential corporate information or processing streaming data in real time. In this workshop we will provide context and demonstrate how to store that information in the form of vectors in Oracle Database 23ai, and use the Oracle AI Vector Search capability to return the context to augment LLM responses. 

WORKSHOP: Smart home living
 

LECTURER: Assoc. Prof. Juraj Ďuďák, PhD.

This hands-on workshop offers an in-depth exploration of the principles behind controlling devices in a smart home environment, focusing on practical, real-world applications using technologies that are commonly found in commercial products. Throughout the workshop, participants will engage with a light detector sensor, which serves as the input element, and a colored LED, which acts as the controlled device. The primary objective is to develop a smart module that can intelligently adjust the color and intensity of the LED based on the current lighting conditions in the environment. This involves not only controlling the LED connected to the module under development but also extending control to an LED on a remote module through wireless communication. Participants will gain valuable hands-on experience with integrating sensors and actuators, programming microcontrollers, and establishing wireless communication between devices. By the end of the workshop, attendees will have created a functional smart lighting control system that can autonomously respond to changes in ambient light, demonstrating key concepts in smart home automation and wireless device interaction. This workshop not only provides a elementary foundation in smart home technology but also equips participants with the skills to expand and customize these systems for more complex and tailored smart home applications.

HELA WORKSHOP: Agility in planning and decision-making in HE / HELA project
 

PROJECT LEADER: Full Prof. Nina Begičević Ređep
LECTURERS: Full Prof. Nina Begičević Ređep, Ph.D., Full Prof. Diana Šimić, Ph.D., Asst. Prof. Nikola Kadoić, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Katarina Pažur Aničić, Ph.D.

The workshop is part of the activities of the project IP-2020-02-5071, HELA - Raising the Maturity of Higher Education Institutions for the Implementation of Learning Analytics, whose leader is prof. Ph.D. Nina Begičević Ređep, and co-leader prof. Ph.D. Diana Simic. The project is financed by the Croatian Science Foundation. The goal of the workshop is to present and apply methods that contribute to agility in planning and decision-making in higher education. At the workshop, methods for multi-criteria decision-making will be applied: AHP and SNAP in determining the weights of criteria and priorities of alternatives with an emphasis on raising the maturity of higher education institutions for the implementation of learning analytics. The characteristics of planning and decision-making agility in higher education will also be discussed. The workshop is closed and is attended by vice-deans and deans of higher education institutions.

CUTIE WORKSHOP: How to improve teachers’ digital skills in co-creation with students? / CUTIE project
 

PROJECT LEADER: Full Prof. Igor Balaban, Ph.D.

In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, digital skills are no longer a luxury but a necessity. To keep pace with this change, it's crucial to harness the unique perspectives and abilities of our students. This workshop is designed to equip participants with practical strategies and tools to do just that. By the end of our time together, participants will be able to: 

• Create an Action/Scenario Describing Activities and Student Roles: Participants will design action plans that clearly define the activities and roles of students in enhancing teachers' digital skills. This will include different ways of implementation of student-teacher collaboration. 

• Integrate Students in the Co-Creation Process: Discover the power of co-creation and how to actively involve students in the process of developing digital skill-building initiatives. You will gain insights into good practices for fostering a collaborative environment where students feel empowered to contribute meaningfully. 

• Interpret Possible Use of the CUTE Canvas in Future Teaching: The CUTE canvas is a versatile tool that can enhance your teaching. You will learn how to apply this tool in various educational contexts, ensuring that both teachers and students benefit from its application. 

Throughout this workshop, participants will engage in hands-on activities, discussions, and reflections that will deepen their understanding and enable them to implement these approaches effectively. Participants will be encouraged to actively participate, share their experiences, create scenarios, and collaborate with their peers to make the most of this learning opportunity. 

TRUELA WORKSHOP: Research Workshop on Trustworthy Learning Analytics and AI Algorithms / TRUELA project
 

PROJECT AND WORKSHOP LEADER: Full Prof. Blaženka Divjak, Ph.D.

Project team experts: Prof. Bart Rienties, Ph.D. (The Open University, London), Prof. Hanni Muukkonen, Ph.D. (University of Oulu), Prof. Win van Petegem, Ph.D. (KU Leuven) i Prof. Lourdes Guardia, Ph.D. (Open University of Catalonia)

The workshop on trustworthy learning analytics and AI algorithms will be held as part of the Trustworthy Learning Analytics and Artificial Intelligence for Sound Learning Design (TRUELA) research project, led by prof. dr. sc. Blaženka Divjak and financed by the Croatian Science Foundation. The project deals with developing new learning analytics approaches, harnessing the opportunities of AI, to inform meaningful learning design, supporting the implementation of innovative teaching, learning and e-assessment strategies.

This research workshop will gather international researchers and experts in learning analytics and learning design to discuss some of the highly relevant issues in the fields. The first part of the workshop will focus on the newest functionalities of the Balanced Design Planning learning design tool (learning-design.eu), developed by FOI’s Learning Analytics Laboratory supported by several projects with an international dimension, including TRUELA. Researchers will discuss the development of analytics and algorithms which use learning design data to enhance teaching and learning processes. In the second part of the workshop, the dimensions of trustworthy learning analytics will be considered, with examples of good practices from different educational contexts presented by the participants.

The primary participants of the workshop are the TRUELA project team members, but the workshop is also open to any other interested researchers attending the CECIIS conference. 

DECIDE WORKSHOP: Workshop on DECIDE methodology / DECIDE project

PROJECT LEADER: Full Prof. Vjeran Strahonja, Ph.D.

The goal of the workshop is to discuss the conceptual method and the integration of the individual components of DECIDE. Main focus will be on the technical implementation and integration of the DECIDE methodology. Workshop is planned as interactive format in which specific technical challenges and solutions will be discussed. Workshop is only for the project consortium members. 

8. INTER-DEPARTMENTAL MEETING OF BUSINESS INFORMATICS: Situation and experiences in business informatics - past, present and future)

RESPONSIBLE PERSON: Assoc. Prof. Igor Pihir, Ph.D.  and Assoc. Prof. Iva Gregurec, Ph.D.

The interdepartmental meeting will bring together scientists, researchers, professors and experts from the field of business informatics and related disciplines with the aim of analyzing current practices and experiences in this domain at related study programs, faculties and related departments in Croatia. The meeting will discuss historical, current and future experiences in joint work, teaching, research and practice, as well as possibilities for joint cooperation. The primary objective is the exchange of knowledge, experience and skills, as well as the involvement of younger associates, colleagues and researchers, as well as connecting them with colleagues from related faculties who deal with the field of business informatics, in which FOI has been active for 50 years. Special emphasis will be placed on future opportunities and challenges, with the aim of improving business informatics and developing innovative ways of cooperation that will be useful for both students and teachers. In addition, the interdepartmental meeting will enable networking and cooperation among teachers, encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue and exchange of ideas, through presentations and discussions with the aim of enriching teaching practices, joint cooperation and development of the field, with a special emphasis on new generations and the possibility of expanding the meeting.

14th STUDENTS' POSTER AND PRESENTATION SECTION

CHAIR: Prof. Violeta Vidaček Hainš, Ph.D., UNIZG FOI, Prof. Victoria Appatova, Ph.D., University of Cincinnati, OH, USA

INVITED SPEAKER: Prof. Machdel Matthee, Ph.D., University of Pretoria, South Africa

Invited lecturer Full Prof. Machdel Matthee, Ph.D., University of Pretoria in South Africa will share knowledge and thoughts about the challenges of using digital technologies in the 21st century. Additionally, section includes 18 research projects gathered around 30 students, young researchers from different countries. We will find out the results of students' research projects from the USA - Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Romania and Croatia. Student research topics are related to the usage of information and communication technology in various fields - from medicine and psychology to economics and computer science. Students will discuss various topics - from conceptual solutions provided by artificial intelligence to ethical issues related to the use of digital technologies.

PROJECT OASIS

RESPONSIBLE PERSON: Karlo Nadoveza, Laura Strupar

Project Oasis offers an excellent opportunity to promote your work to a broad audience, including researchers, academics, and project partners. If you have promotional materials related to your projects, please bring them along and leave them at the registration desk upon arrival at the conference. Additionally, we remind you that you can showcase your projects as part of the Project Pitch activity. This segment allows you to present your work through short presentations, giving you the chance to highlight key aspects of your projects and attract potential collaborators and investors.