International Higher Education Teacher Award ^2024/25

One of the main problems of kinesiological education and sport is the insufficient connection between the stakeholders. The Faculty of Kinesiology in Split (KIFST) designed a model of cooperation with non-government organizations (NGO), aimed to improve sports results, educational and research processes. The aim of the innovative idea is based on cooperation in the realization of the complementary goals of the involved stakeholders. Based on the results of a public call for tender, an NGO is given a teaching basis (TB) status which is re-evaluated every year based on the assessment of a) teaching conditions, b) science popularization activities, c) joint project applications, d) providing research samples, e) writing and publishing final theses and scientific articles. The Croatian Science Foundation accepted the financing of the research Project (IP-2020-02-3366) proposed by the consortium composed of KIFST, the School of Medicine in Split, Ministry of Tourism and Sport (MINTS), the City of Split, Center of Excellence of Split-Dalmatia County, Genos d.o.o. laboratory, European Institute for Talent, Education, Research and Development (CAF), and 5 national sports federations (NSF), which created the preconditions for the realization of the program. The TB CAF and the City of Split provided the facilities (CRO SPORT TALENT LAB). The NSFs provided the research sample and participation of experts (coaches) in the education process. The MINTS did the project promotion. The innovative model was implemented in Systematic kinesiology 1 within the Graduate study of Kinesiology. A University textbook was written in Croatian and English language, and the program included KIFST and Erasmus students. The main outcomes are: 1. To strengthen research and educational potential by connecting the scientific, public, and private sectors; 2. To improve the conditions for teaching; 3. To improve the conditions for research work (laboratory, equipment, and sample); 4. To organize education in handling modern technology. Activities (outputs) are: 1. Implementation of the Systematic kinesiology 1 class; 2. Application to public calls for financing; 3. Education in using modern technologies. Results are: 1. Systematic kinesiology 1 classes realized; 2. Research sample (n>=500) provided; 3. Programs applied to public calls (n>=1); 4. Final scientific paper written/published (n=>1). 5. Students and coaches educated for handling modern technologies (n>=5).

Methodology

Development of the innovative Program was started 7-8 years ago by the Faculty of Kinesiology (KIFST) Sport Talent Lab Scientific group. Given that the physical location of the Faculty is on a peninsula where there is not enough "physical space" to build a facility to improve material and technical conditions required by certain activities (e.g., athletic stadium, football field, etc.), in 2014. we came up with the idea to cooperate with stakeholders who have the necessary material and technical conditions and work together to improve the existing educational and research processes to mutual satisfaction and in line with complementary goals. After numerous meetings with representatives of civil society organizations (NGOs), the following areas of common interest were defined: a) improvement of conditions for realization of activities, b) science popularization activities, c) joint project applications, d) providing the research sample, e) writing and publishing final papers and scientific articles of interest for specific NGOs. The following realization phases of the cooperation program were agreed upon: 1. Construction of the legal framework and plan for future cooperation, 2. Adoption of legal acts and criteria, 3. Announcing a public call, 4. Evaluation of Teaching bases (TB), 5. Obtaining the opinion of the Quality Committee, 6. Making the decision on appointing the coordinator and granting the TB status, 7. Signing a cooperation agreement with the TB, 8. Writing a joint application to public call, 9. Modification of subject Syllabi, 10. Upgrading literature – writing University textbooks, 11. Procurement of research equipment, 12. Realization of educational and research activities for Croatian students, 13. Realization of educational and research activities for Erasmus students. By making a Roadmap for awarding the TB status and the Regulation on the criteria and procedure for granting the status and title of teaching base and/or training center of the KIFST, legal foundations for cooperation were created. A large number of interested NGOs responded to the public call and based on the criteria and opinions of the Quality Committee NGOs were selected that were awarded the status of KIFST teaching base. The Faculty and NGO appointed their coordinators in charge of developing the cooperation. By signing an agreement between the University of Split, the KIFST, and the NGO-Teaching Base, the preconditions for the beginning of cooperation were created. At the annual level, NGO-teaching bases submit a report on the joint implementation of activities, which includes: a) conditions for the realization of education, b) science popularization activities, c) joint project applications, d) providing the research sample, e) writing and publishing final papers and scientific articles. The status of each teaching base is evaluated based on the submitted report. Interested Teachers/Coordinators prepared projects in which NGO-teaching bases were implemented. At the time of writing this application, two Project Proposals have been accepted for funding – one expert project with a scientific component (finished) and a science research project which is still ongoing: 1. Sport Against Violence and Exclusion – SAVE is an Erasmus+ sport Project. As one of the results of the project, literature was prepared in: English, Spanish, Lithuanian, German, Bosnian, and Croatian language. After the evaluation process, the University of Split granted the textbook in the Croatian language the status of a University textbook. The NGO-TB with their members were involved in the implementation of project activities. A new elective course called Sport against violence and exclusion has been included in the Schedule of lectures of the 1st year of Master study, and a psychologist, who is also the representative of the teaching base HNK Hajduk, became the co-holder of the course. 2. Research project of the Croatian Science Foundation: Biological, chronological, and relative age in establishing the Croatian sports talent system (IP-2020-02-3366.). Through the cooperation of the KIFST in Split and partners in the implementation of the project, the establishment of the Croatian National System for the Detection and Development of Sports Talents began. The Croatian National Sports Council, as the highest expert and advisory body in sports, recognized the project as a project of national interest. Project objectives are: 1) To strengthen Croatian potential of sports talent development by connecting: scientific institutions, local community, NGOs, teaching bases, coaches and scientists; 2) To investigate the correlation of biological, chronological and relative age with selection in younger age groups; 3) To generate new knowledge on the usefulness of the instrument for assessing biological age and skeletal muscle contractile properties; 4) To strengthen awareness on the importance of biological age in the process of sports talent development. For the needs of the project activities, the CRO SPORT TALENT LAB was established in Split, which created material and technical prerequisites for the implementation of the scientific component of the innovative Program of cooperation with teaching bases through the course Systematic Kinesiology 1. The coordinator of the Croatian Volleyball Association became the co-holder of the course. A textbook under the title “How to prepare, write and publish a scientific paper in kinesiology and sport” was written for the purposes of the course in English and Croatian language, which was evaluated by the University and granted the status of a University textbook. Since academic year 2019/20 the course has been available to both Croatian and Erasmus exchange students from a dozen European countries. On several occasions, the initial idea of the program for involving NGOs-external stakeholders in the educational processes as teaching bases has been refined, and this is a living process that is constantly being implemented today. The students involved evaluate the program implementation through a survey. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is in charge of promoting the project and the program. NGO Teaching Base the European Institute for Talent, Education, Research and Development provided the facilities for the Laboratory and realization of activities. The School of Medicine in Split, with two associate physicians on the project, covered the biomedical part, whereas Genos d.o.o laboratory covered the biotechnological part. The City of Split provided the funds for setting up a laboratory and a lecture hall with the possibility of distance teaching. The Center of Excellence of Split-Dalmatia County covered the activities related to psychology. The Croatian Handball Federation, the Croatian Volleyball Association, the Croatian Basketball Federation, the Croatian Swimming Federation, and the Croatian Taekwondo Federation provided a sample for the research and student training regarding the use of modern research equipment procured by project funds. Experts from all partners, if necessary, contribute through the participation of professionals in the implementation of educational and research activities that are the basis of final papers and published articles in scientific journals.

Tools, equipment, technology used

For the purposes of the program, we use the Moodle distance learning system through which a part of the teaching with students in Erasmus classes is realized. The Faculty's server and Survey monkey system is used for data collection (surveys). The students will have free access to:a) the equipment procured from the funds provided by Croatian Scinece foundation within the project No.6524 & No 3366: Tensiomyographic device (TMG) for non-invasive analysis of skeletal muscle contractile properties, Segmental body Composition Analyzer, Device for measuring systolic and diastolic pressure with ECG function - Suntech Tango M2, Spirometer - MIR SPIROLAB NEW, Witty Wireless Timing System, Tablets, Harpenden Anthropometer, Sitting Height Table, Optojump Next… etc.

Outcomes and outputs, main results

The main outcomes are: 1. To strengthen research and educational potential by connecting the scientific, public, and private sectors; 2. To improve the conditions for teaching; 3. To improve the conditions for research work (laboratory, equipment, and sample); 4. To organize education in handling modern technology. Activities (outputs) are: 1. Implementation of the Systematic kinesiology 1 class; 2. Application to public calls for financing; 3. Education in using modern technologies.Results are: 1. Systematic kinesiology 1 classes realized; 2. Research sample (n>=500) provided; 3. Programs applied to public calls (n>=1); 4. Final scientific paper written/published (n=>1). 5. Students and coaches educated for handling modern technologies (n>=5)

Lessons learnt

During the development of the model, the most important aspect was that we jointly developed all procedures and legal acts. Also we made control tools such as the opinion of the Quality Committee and annual reports that we used to evaluate the contribution of NGO to educational and research processes. Our mistake was that we did not initially think of the Erasmus students and did not anticipate the possibility of internationalization of the program, which was corrected. Syllabus improvements are made each year based on feedback from students.

Adaptability and sustainability of the best practice (for other institutions)

The model with minor deviations from the original model, is currently being applied at many faculties of the University of Split. The system of teaching bases, ii mostly consist of sports organizations, but also includes, for example, the St. Catherine specialty hospital, Teaching Institute for Public Health of SDC, as well as organizations caring for people with special needs. The growing number of successful joint applications for public calls for funding is an indicator of the self-sustainability of the program, as well as the possibility. Additional funds for the self-sufficiency of the program are provided by volunteer activities coordinated by the Alumni Association of the KIFST, which has also been awarded the status of a teaching base in the field of socially useful activities. Long-term cooperation is ensured by the fact that students and teachers take on the roles of sports coaches in partner organizations, and experts from NGO - Teaching bases are involved in the teaching processes

Promotion of best practice

The leader of the our good practice program participated as a moderator in the International expert seminar “Why Does European Sport Need Skilled and Competent Coaches?” held on 27 and 28 February 2020 in Zagreb, under the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. He presented the model of Implementation of the teaching basis in high education and research. Organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, a press conference was held on 17 December 2021, at which the project and model of partnership cooperation with teaching bases were presented, which was broadcast by numerous media houses. At the Level UP symposium which will be held on 7 – 9 January 2022 in Zagreb, D. Čular, in the role of Project Leader, is an invited lecturer. Important information about the Project is published on the website of the Croatian Science Foundation. The National Sports Federations as partners in the project have appointed Sports Ambassadors whose role is to promote ideas and models. E.g., Olympic Taekwondo Winner Matea Jelic is a promoter on behalf of the Croatian Taekwondo Federation.) All project partners (NGO – teaching bases) will contribute to the promotion of the innovative model on partners' web pages where information will be accessible for the interested visitors.

Scope and impact

• Course/department level
• Faculty level
• Institutional level
• Cross-institutional level
• National level
• EU/EHEA/International level

The program contributed to the launch of certain courses and education (even in the form of lifelong learning) in areas where it was not possible to provide material technical conditions, but they are provided in cooperation with the teaching bases. Furthermore, the model enabled cross-institutional cooperation between the teaching bases by sharing resources that were unused by some and needed by other partners. The implemented activities of the SAVE project related to violence and exclusion in sport were presented to the general public through social networks, print and digital media, and decision makers at the local/regional level are familiarized with the problem of violence and exclusion in sport. Members of the SAVE Team are involved in the process of drafting the local sports development strategy and have included the issue of violence in sports in the specific measures and activities. In national strategic document (National Sports Program of the Republic of Croatia (2019-2026) are implemented measures and activities arising from the SAVE project within the specific objective 6.1.4. Preventing conflicts in sport arenas and encouraging the culture of nonviolence. By the decision of the National Sports Council, the Project was recognized as a project of national interest, in line with the objective 3.2. of the National Sports Program. Based on the funds provided by the previously described projects, partners were found facilities were provided, equipment was procured, and educational materials were prepared (in Croatian and English language), which ultimately resulted in the implementation of the model within the new course Sport against violence and exclusion and the existing course Systematic kinesiology 1. According to the EU Work Plan for Sport (2017/2020) and priorities related to the qualifications and competencies of sports coaches during the Croatian Presidency of the Council of Europe in 2020, and with the aim of exchanging good practice and discussions in the field of sports coaching education, the postulates of cooperation between the public, private, and non-government organizations sector were included in the conclusions of the conference, with the aim of improving the output competencies of experts at all levels.

6.1 Digitalization

• Outstanding, innovative, excellent practices of online / blended / hybrid learning
• Innovative, novel methodology in using digital tools/devices in teaching
• Innovative use of digital administration tools
• Digital skills development and assessment both general and profession-related, embedded in course design, in teaching and assessment
• Digital scientific sources used in T&L

Reasoning: Digitization is present in most of our good practice model. Before arriving, Erasmus students have the opportunity to get acquainted with the contents of the course through the moodle system, and part of theoretical teaching is done electronically. In their work, students use digital technologies to collect data (SurveyMonkey, tablets, etc.). During the implementation of the program, students acquire digital skills that enable the practical use of modern research equipment available in our lab.

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6.2 Internationalization

• Outstanding practices of international online collaborative learning
• Students engagement in international projects
• Courses implemented in international cooperation (projects, co-teaching, virtual/blended mobility, etc.)
• Courses offered to international multicultural students both online and offline
• International projects/research results embedded into course development and T&L

Reasoning: Internationalization is reflected in the fact that Croatian students attend classes together with Erasmus students, which encourages international online collaborative learning and cooperation in the application of international expert and research projects. Every year, more and more students recognize this innovative approach in which, in addition to classical teaching, they participate in the practical application of acquired knowledge within the part of teaching realized at teaching bases.

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6.3 Inclusion and diversity, universal design

• Inclusive course design, universally designed divers activities to meet special students' needs
• Innovative teaching methodology for inclusion and meet diverse student needs
• (Innovative) use of devices and tools for inclusion
• Alternative, flexible assessment methods for students with special needs

Reasoning: Inclusion is present in our good practice in a way that the NGO Split Sports Association of Persons with Disabilities and Split Sports Deaf Association are part of the teaching bases of the Faculty of Kinesiology in Split, which is included in training experts to work with persons with disabilities. In our Lab we contribute to the improvement of sports form of the Paralympian. Ivan Mikulić is the silver medal-winner in parataekwondo in Tokyo. (photos and videos available on the Dropbox link).

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6.4 Sustainability

• Teaching material contains profession related sustainability aspects
• Social entrepreneurship projects, service-learning in the topic
• Extra-curricular student activities for sustainability
• Environmental attitude, skill development and assessment either general or profession-related
• Sustainability aspects are considered in all phases of the learning practice - "hidden curriculum"

Reasoning: Sustainability is guaranteed by students acquiring the skills of using modern technologies during the program, which are in demand on the market. Students volunteer to provide services for the community-NGO teaching bases (participate in the implementation of training and measuring of motor skills). In this way they make contacts and connections, which are a potential basis for future international project cooperation aimed at applying for public calls for scientific research and expert work

3.3 Public contact datas

Name	Email address	Website
Dražen Čular	hrzz_3366@kifst.hr	https://bkrd.kifst.hr/