Innovative School with a Library for Co-Teaching
Sevda Tyufekchieva
Vocational High School of Electrical Engineering „A. S. Popov“ – Devin (Bulgaria)
https://doi.org/10.53656/voc25-3-4-01
Abstract. Collaborative teaching and teamwork on projects can increase educational outcomes and improve the quality of the educational process. The variety of teaching methods, the improvement of the learning environment and the individual approach motivate students and improve their self-esteem. They develop skills for collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. Project-based learning achieves practical application of knowledge. Students learn to work in a team, communicate effectively and solve real problems. These methods also make it easier to understand and remember the material, making learning more meaningful and relevant.
Keywords: innovative school; library; co-teaching; cloud technologies; innovative practices, training
Collaborative Teaching Model through Cloud Technologies
Sevda Tyufekchieva
Vocational High School of Electrical Engineering „A. S. Popov“ – Devin (Bulgaria)
https://doi.org/10.53656/voc25-3-4-02
Abstract. The cooperation between pedagogical specialists with the involvement of students through different teaching styles gives a very good result and increases educational results. When teachers collaborate, they can build on their competencies by learning from each other, feeling more confident, supported and meaningful. Using the possibilities of information technology for sharing resources and teamwork in a secure digital environment, pedagogical specialists and students create a school community based on trust, respect and mutual assistance. Coteaching is very suitable for classes and groups in which students work at different levels. This provides an opportunity for students with more knowledge and for students with low educational results to acquire as much knowledge, skills and competences as possible.
Keywords: collaborative teaching; cloud technologies; innovative practices; training
Formation of „Green“ Skills in Vocational Education in Agricultural Disciplines
Georgi Kostov
Agricultural University – Plovdiv (Bulgaria)
https://doi.org/10.53656/voc25-3-4-03
Abstract. In recent years, there has been an increasing discussion about „green“ economy in vocational education. Climate change, the influence of environmental factors, problems, related to food quality and nutrition of the population, as well as economic and political problems on a global scale are the main reasons for the need for „green“ education starting from vocational high schools of agriculture. The „green“ skills are in high demand as many jobs increasingly require these competencies, and these skills are essential for preserving or restoring the environment, as well as for „greening“ or „greenifying“ the existing jobs. The article presents the essence of green skills, describes their conceptual framework and develops methods and pedagogical approaches for the successful formation of green skills in vocational education in agricultural disciplines.
Keywords: „green“ economy, „green“ education, „green“ skills, vocational education, agricultural disciplines
Innovative Teaching Methods in Presenting Petko Slaveykov’s Poem “The Spring of the White-Legged Woman” in 9th Grade
Tatyana Georgieva
Vocational High School of Forestry and Woodworking
“Nikolay Haitov” (Bulgaria)
https://doio.rg/10.53656/voc25-3-4-04
Abstract. The aim of this publication is to present the application of innovative teaching methods aimed at overcoming excessive theorization and boredom in literature classes, and at increasing students’ motivation to be active participants in the educational process. Attention is directed to the usefulness of project-based learning in literature teaching at the high school level, which contributes to the development of active, thinking, and creative learners. Shared is practical experience in using innovative methods in teaching Slaveykov’s poem “The Spring of the White-Legged Woman” in 9th grade.
Keywords: innovative methods; project method; project-based learning; key competencies; knowledge and skills; thematic activities
Application of Forum Theatre in Literature Teaching at the Secondary School Level
Tatyana Georgieva
Vocational High School of Forestry and Woodworking
“Nikolay Haitov” (Bulgaria)
https://doi.org/10.53656/voc25-3-4-05
Abstract. This article presents the non-traditional method of Forum Theatre as an educational tool in the teaching of literature at the secondary school level. Addressing themes and issues in Bulgarian language and literature classes – such as human existence, moral choices, interpersonal relationships, and the value orientation of the individual – allows for the use of diverse approaches beyond traditional lecture-based instruction. The Forum Theatre method proves to be a suitable tool for developing key literary competencies, especially those related to the interpretation of literary texts, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. The author of the article is a Bulgarian language and literature teacher at PGGSD “Nikolai Haitov” High School in Varna and a participant in the project “Forum Theatre – A Tool for Education” under the European “Erasmus+” programme. As a result of two years of collaboration among teachers from Bulgaria, Romania, Italy, Turkey, Poland, and Slovenia, the handbook “Methodological Guide – Informal Teaching Methods in the European Context” was developed.
Keywords: forum theatre; educational process; non-formal education; teaching methods; literary competencies; Augusto Boal; audience
Student, Teacher, Team: the Formula for Success in the World of Algorithms
Ivanka Zangocheva
Софийска математическа гимназия „П. Хилендарски“ (Bulgaria)
https://doi.org/10.53656/voc25-3-4-06
Abstract. В статията са разгледани ситуации и задачи, поставящи ученика пред избор, даващи възможност за самоизява и индивидуален подход – умения, нужни за бъдеща кариера и създаване на портфолио.
Keywords: проект, програма, екип, задача, роля, обучение, ИТ софтуерно решение, практически насочено
Design Principles for Positive Energy Districts
Peter Kovrig,
Dorin Lucian Beu
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (Romania)
https://doi.org/10.53656/voc25-3-4-07
Abstract. Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) are a cornerstone of the European Union’s strategy for climate neutrality by 2050. A PED is an urban area that annually produces more renewable energy than it consumes, while maintaining affordability, livability, and social acceptance. Designing such districts requires an integrated and multidisciplinary approach that goes beyond building-level optimization and addresses district-scale synergies.
This paper outlines the key design principles for PEDs:
– Energy efficiency first, through passive architectural strategies and high-performance building services
– Renewable energy integration, maximizing local solar, wind, geothermal, and bio-based resources
– Smart energy management, using digital platforms, storage technologies, and demand-side flexibility
– Multi-scale integration, connecting buildings, infrastructure, and mobility into a coherent energy ecosystem
– Stakeholder engagement and governance, ensuring participatory planning and long-term acceptance
The study emphasizes that PEDs represent not only a technological innovation but also a socio-economic transition, requiring strong collaboration across disciplines and sectors. By applying these principles, PEDs can significantly contribute to urban decarbonization, energy resilience, and the achievement of the EU’s climate and energy objectives.
Keywords: Positive Energy Districts, Energy efficiency, Renewable integration, Smart energy management, Urban decarbonization
Предизвикателствата в образованието, свързани с използването на изкуствения интелект
Румяна Комарска
Национална професионална гимназия по прецизна техника и оптика
„М. В. Ломоносов“ (Bulgaria)
https://doi.org/10.53656/voc25-3-4-08
Abstract. Настоящият доклад ще изследва ключовите предизвикателства, които ИИ въвежда в българската училищна среда, фокусирайки се конкретно на въздействието му върху ролите на учителите и учениците. Дава примери за внедряване на ИИ в образователния процес в различни държави, както и институционална рамка, ръководена от националните политики, след което ще даде предложения за приложения на ИИ в образованието. Както и примери за реално внедряване на ИИ в образователната система на различни страни.
Keywords: изкуствен интелект, образование, преподаване, програмни продукти
Conformity Assessment System for Products – Power Equipment: Methodological Approach and Practical Application
Victor Arsov
University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy (Bulgaria)
Marieta Yancheva-Popova
Technical University of Sofia, (Bulgaria)
Desislava Koleva
Technical University of Sofia, (Bulgaria)
https://doi.org/10.53656/voc25-3-4-09
Abstract. This article proposes a structured internal conformity assessment methodology tailored to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and applied within TOOLSWORLD – Bulgaria. Building on a previously validated system for power equipment, the approach translates EU legal requirements into an operational workflow for documentation collection, expert verification, traceability, and risk-based categorization of products into five compliance categories (Cat.1 – Cat.5). The regulatory basis centers on Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on PPE, complemented by the New Legislative Framework guidance (“Blue Guide” 2022) and the horizontal market-surveillance regime in Regulation (EU) 2019/1020. The framework operationalizes presumption of conformity via harmonized standards (e.g., EN ISO 21420, EN ISO 13688, EN 166, EN 149, EN 388), while also accounting for chemical-safety obligations relevant to materials (e.g., REACH Annex XVII PAHs; POPs restrictions on SCCPs) where applicable. The study contributes a replicable model for companies managing diverse PPE portfolios, aligning regulatory compliance with practical risk management and audit readiness. It also situates the method within broader literature on conformity assessment and supply-chain assurance for protective equipment.
Keywords: Conformity assessment, Personal protective equipment (PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425, Harmonized standards (EN ISO 21420, EN 388, EN 149)
Conformity Assessment of Personal Protective Equipment: a Methodological Framework and Practical Application
Victor Arsov
University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy (Bulgaria)
Marieta Yancheva-Popova
Technical University of Sofia (Bulgaria)
Desislava Koleva
Technical University of Sofia (Bulgaria)
https://doi.org/10.53656/voc25-3-4-10
Abstract. This article presents a structured methodology for the internal conformity assessment of power equipment, developed and applied within TOOLSWORLD – Bulgaria. The study addresses the regulatory framework of the European Union, including the Machinery Directive, Low Voltage Directive, Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive, RoHS Directive, and Regulation (EU) 2019/1020, and emphasizes the dual role of conformity assessment as both a legal requirement and a strategic tool for risk and quality management. A six-stage methodology is proposed, encompassing documentation collection, verification, cross-referencing with product lists, data extraction, classification into five conformity categories (Cat.1 – Cat.5), and visualization of results. Applied to a portfolio of 482 products, the methodology revealed that nearly half (47.1%) of the products were in partial conformity (Cat.2), while only 4.8% achieved full conformity (Cat.1). The results highlight critical compliance risks, particularly products with expired or missing documentation (Cat.4 and Cat.5), and underline the importance of systematic document management. The study contributes to both practice and academia by bridging regulatory requirements with practical implementation, offering a replicable model for internal conformity systems that can enhance risk management, audit readiness, and market surveillance.
Keywords: Conformity assessment, European Union directives, risk management, product compliance, internal audit, quality management, market surveillance, certification, power equipment, technical regulation
Implementation of an Electronic Health Record for Occupational Medicine
Sofoklis Christoforidis
Efstathios Titopoulos
Democritus University of Thrace (Greece)
Boryana Mihaylova
Technical University of Sofia (Bulgaria)
Athanasios Thomopoulos
Dimitrios Thomopoulos
Eleni Kromitoglou
Democritus University of Thrace (Greece)
https://doi.org/10.53656/voc25-3-4-11
Abstract. The advancement of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the healthcare sector presents significant opportunities for the implementation of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems. Such systems enable both healthcare professionals and patients to access medical histories directly, thereby enhancing transparency and continuity of care. However, the implementation of an EHR system is a complex undertaking. The chosen implementation strategy plays a critical role in integrating existing health information systems and ensuring their interoperability. This paper aims to design and model an integrated information system for Electronic Health Records in the context of occupational medicine. It examines best practices adopted globally during the deployment of EHR systems. We propose a distributed architecture in which employee health data is stored locally within each organization’s database. A centralized reporting system is introduced to facilitate access to specific medical record data points as needed. Furthermore, we advocate for the integration of artificial intelligence into the system to monitor employee health. This monitoring would leverage both the medical examination data contained in the EHR and contextual information about the work environment.
Keywords: Interoperability, Semi-distributed architecture, Data quality management, Artificial intelligence integration, Occupational environment monitoring
Solving the Job Shop Scheduling Problem – Different Techniques and Programming Languages
Sofoklis Christoforidis
Efstathios Titopoulos
Democritus University of Thrace (Greece)
Boryana Mihaylova
Technical University of Sofia (Bulgaria)
Eleni Kromitoglou
Stergios Intzes
Democritus University of Thrace (Greece)
https://doi.org/10.53656/voc25-3-4-12
Abstract. The Job Shop Scheduling Problem (JSSP) is a long-standing combinatorial optimization problem studied since the 1960s. JSSP is NP-complete, meaning solutions exist but cannot be guaranteed within polynomial time for general instances. In this paper we aim to compare some algorithms and techniques that have been proposed by various researchers. We also present the execution of these algorithms using two programming languages, python and C#.
Keywords: Genetic Algorithm, Metaheuristics, Constraint Programming
Изследване на проекции на ръбести тела в системата „СтруниМа“
Mladen Valkov
Institute of Mathematics and Informatics
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (Bulgaria) (Bulgaria)
https://doi.org/10.53656/voc25-3-4-13
Abstract. В системата „СтруниМа“ е изградена функционалност за визуализиране на тримерна квадратна мрежа, чрез която могат да се намират предни и задни проекции на различни ръбести тела – тела, съставени от единични кубчета, или на ръбести тела с върхове, които са върхове и на квадратната мрежа. Също така е изградена и състезaтелна част, чрез която по дадени проекции на стените и ръбовете да се възстанови началното тяло.
Keywords: „СтруниМа“, техническо чертане, проекции, ръбове, стени
