SINTEZA 2020

INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DATA RELATED RESEARCH

SOFTWARE AND INFORMATION ENGINEERING SESSION

MOBILE APPLICATIONS IN EDUCATION

Abstract:
Žaklina Spalević1,
The problem we tried to solve is based on an assessment of the current state
Miloš Ilić2*, of mobile applications, services and platforms applicable to the education
Petar Biševac3, process. The current state of these services is viewed from the domain of their
technical solution (availability, support from multiple platforms, ...) and the
Predrag Lekić2
domain of legal norms application governing distance learning. The problem
of using mobile applications is reflected in the adaptability of these services to
Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality
1
the educational process, as well as in the equipping of students with mobile
Management, devices where the teaching process can be monitored. The research has shown
Singidunum University, great availability of such services. In contrast to the availability of e-services,
Belgrade, Serbia their implementation is far less than expected, which is especially underlined
Faculty of Technical sciences,
2
in primary and secondary education institutions, as well as in universities
University of Priština, that are not in the field of technical sciences. Furthermore, institutions that
Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia have an eLearning system do not have adequate rules and legal norms that
Faculty of Informatics and Computing,
3 precisely regulate the learning and grading processes.
Singidunum University,
Belgrade, Serbia
Keywords:
e-learning, e-testing, mobile devices, web platforms.

INTRODUCTION

Modern information and communication technologies as well as

their increasingly frequent application have become an integral part of
everyday life and work of people. With the help of digital technologies,
people communicate and connect with each other. Some examples of the
most commonly used communication and social interaction services are
email services and social networks [1]. Taking advantage of digitaliza-
tion, the educational system around the world is increasingly relying on
the use of new hardware and software solutions in the daily performance
of teaching activities. Elementary and high school students, as well as col-
Correspondence: lege students, can now transfer their classrooms to computers and mobile
Miloš Ilić devices. In this way, the availability of education is not conditioned by
the proximity of educational institutions or the presence within the audi-
e-mail: toriums. Course participants can attend classes even if they are in remote
[email protected] and inaccessible areas.

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DOI: 10.15308/Sinteza-2020-146-153
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INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DATA RELATED RESEARCH

The development of the use of computer and mobile paper considers the legal regulations of higher education
applications intended for education differs depending institutions that have implemented systems for distance
on the institutions and the region. Mobile technologies learning.
stand out as one of the most important technologies. Paper is organized as fallows. The first section pre-
Viewed from the angle of productivity and practicality sents similar research related to the topic. Second sec-
in the use, mobile technologies represent one of the rev- tion presents some of the most popular distance learn-
olutionary tools. Applied to the educational system, mo- ing and mobile learning platforms and applications that
bile technologies allow students to use smart devices and are in use worldwide. Third section presents platforms
mobile phones during classes to acquire new skills and and applications that are in use in the Republic of Serbia.
learn new things. Different types of smartphones and The main conclusions are given in the fourth section.
other digital devices can be used as very useful scholastic The last section represents used references.
resource both in the process of distance learning and in
classroom university studies [2]. In the digital market,
both in the form of free applications and in the form of 1. RELATED WORK
applications for whose use users need to paid, a wide
range of applications intended for use in education can In one of the research the authors investigated the
be found. Viewed from the perspective of mobile learn- effects of mobile devices on the learning process. Their
ing, mobile devices must meet different forms of com- research is based on design approach [4]. This approach
mercial use, language support, and support for different was chosen in order to support two main objectives.
types of learning processes. Nowadays, a clear parallel First objective was to support designing tools created for
between real and digital life is visible. Transferred to usage in learning process. The second objective is cho-
the learning process, the parallel is advertised in mak- sen to support conducting of pedagogical interventions.
ing contacts and communication with colleagues, online By meeting the set two basic objectives, the authors
work on domestic and international projects, exchange achieved a connection between researchers, professors
of teaching materials, taking exams, etc. [3]. Using on- and students. In order to prove their theory, authors
line and mobile platforms today, students anywhere in implemented different mobile applications that were
the world, no matter how far they are away from the used as test applications. The created applications were
professor, can follow classes in almost all fields, such as adapted to both individual users and working groups.
mathematics, physics, programming, foreign languages, One of applications that were used for individual us-
etc. The use of distance learning systems must be accom- ers was named ReFlex. From the other side, for the col-
panied by adequate information and communication laborative use TeamUp application was used. Design
equipment of course participants. Also, the successful for the both applications is optimized for the use on the
implementation of distance learning is conditioned by mobile devices (tablets, smartphones, etc.). In the same
the equipment of the institution, as well as a set of legal time, design provides use on some other devices such as
norms that regulate the distance learning process and laptop computers and smart whiteboards. Created and
especially assessment process. In most countries, prima- described applications were intended for use in teach-
ry and secondary education is insufficiently organized ing that is performed within the classrooms of the fac-
and not prepared for the distance learning process using ulty. Besides teaching using these applications, students
mobile applications. This type of education is closer to could work on projects individually or in groups.
higher education institutions. The aim of this paper is Research conducted at the Spanish National Uni-
to consider the readiness of educational institutions of versity of Distance Education encompassed the current
the Republic of Serbia in terms of the application of dis- activities that include the use of mobile phones and ap-
tance learning through the use of mobile platforms. The plications created for the specific needs of subjects. The
implemented platforms for distance learning of educa- results of this research are given in [2]. The main goal
tional institutions of the Republic of Serbia have been of the conducted research was to assess didactic use of
compared with similar platforms of educational institu- the applications. In the same time, authors tracked the
tions in the world. The assessment process as one of the potential of applications in order to improve the subject
indispensable parts of education is especially demanding learning process at the university. The main goal was to
when it comes to the implementation of distance tests. develop the generic competencies based on European
This type of assessment must first be provided for by the Higher Education Area. Evaluation process was con-
legal acts of the education system. For this reason, the ducted based on the predetermined scale.
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In the conducted study 388 students participated. Each of the defined strategies practically represents one
Students who participated in the research attended type of learning style. Defined applications as well as
a course called “Curriculum design and innovation” examples of their use in the educational process were
within the “University Degree in Pedagogy” program. created in correlation with information and communi-
At the beginning of the research, the authors set out two cation technology. Details of the use of each of the ap-
basic directions of research. The first is through a de- plications are described in detail and discussed within
scriptive methodology. This meant that the researcher the ISO9241 part11 standard.
had to describe in detail the creation process of the used The research conducted and described in [7] aimed
application. The main actors of the second perspective at a different approach. The main goal of the author
were students. In this phase students’ perception and was to explore the opinion of teachers about how much
improvement in learning process were assessed. It was mobile technologies and applications have an impact
especially important to assess the progress in students' on the learning process, especially if they are used as
knowledge conditioned by the use of mobile devices a teaching tool within the teaching process that is per-
and applications. The results of the assessment showed formed in classrooms. The teachers’ attitude is especially
that the impact of mobile devices and applications on important precisely due to the fact that the attitude of
student learning is highly valued. One of the main con- teachers regarding the use of a teaching aid has a great
clusions is that universities need to continue to develop influence on the teaching process. The research included
new didactic strategies that will be used in order to provide 12 primary schools in Spain. From 12 selected schools,
better learning process. 102 teachers were selected. The selected teachers had the
The research described in [5] presents the results of task to fill in the questionnaire with various questions
a project in which students from two countries partici- starting from personal information, through express-
pated. The aim of the authors was to discover the per- ing personal views on the use of mobile applications in
ception of the use of smartphones in the process of edu- the learning process. Based on the results obtained by
cation both by students and teachers. The student's task processing the questionnaire, two main factors of the
was to create YouTube tutorials in which they described impact of mobile technologies on the learning process
possibilities of using mobile devices in the learning pro- that is performed in the classroom were identified. The
cess. The learning process was based on the use of ap- first factor is facilitating access to information, while the
plications available for mobile platforms. Based on all second is increasing engagement to learning. In addi-
available information, authors explored the use of smart tion to the mentioned results, the research showed that
mobile devices in the classroom. selection of application that will be used in the learning
In the research presented in [6] authors explore dif- process also largely depends on the opinion of the pro-
ferent parameters that have an impact on the learning fessor on how and to what extent a specific application
process. Based on explored group of parameters, au- can affect learning.
thors proposed specific strategies which include the use In the research presented in [8] authors described
of mobile technologies and applications in the every- the results of research related to implementation pos-
day students activities. The main ideas from which the sibilities of technological applications in medical edu-
defined strategies emerged were based on literature re- cation. More precisely the goal of research was related
search, comparisons with similar researches, as well as to implementation and application of Technology Ac-
specific individual needs. The first of two main questions ceptance Model (TAM). In the same time, the research
defined at the beginning of the research were whether was supposed to show that this model can be applied
technology can assist in the learning process. The sec- in order to measure the degree of acceptance of the use
ond question that authors analyzed is focused more on of mobile technologies and applications within medical
the teaching process that is performed in classrooms as education. The research methodology was based on a
well as on the pedagogical aspect that is manifested in created questionnaire, which was filled out by students
direct communication between teachers and students. and employees from University of Salamanca. The re-
As a result of the research, the authors singled out eight sults of the research explained that 46.7% of users decide
potential technical solutions and applications. Based on to use mobile allocations based on acquired habits. The
these applications the authors identified and defined authors concluded that this data can help them in adapt-
four possible strategies: problem based learning, situated ing the curriculum of the medical faculty in order to in-
learning, collaborative learning, and cooperative learning. troduce the use of mobile applications in the educational

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process [8]. Another conclusion of the author is that the using mobile applications instead of attending classes
research showed that there are many unknowns about and sitting in front of a book [10]. With the use of mo-
the use of mobile applications in medical subjects, both bile devices and educational applications, students can
from the point of view of students and from the point learn anytime and anywhere. Some of the main benefits
of view of professors. for students that use mobile applications are numbered
in continuation:
• Learning process is not dependent of place and
2. MOBILE APPS IN WORLD EDUCATION time
• High levels of commitment
The rapid development of human society, everyday
• Constant assessment process
human activities as well as applied technologies has con-
ditioned the need for continuous learning. Because of • Learning strategies proven in practice
that, a person today could not imagine the time when • Modern learning methodology
it was enough to know one skill in order to work for • Great learning experience gained thanks to the
their whole life. In order to get a better job and thus Internet and modern ICT technologies
achieve a better quality of life, people must constantly • Monitoring student progress
improve their knowledge. The use of digital technolo-
• Social characteristics
gies to provide support for distance and mobile learning
creates the opportunity for students and professors to • Everyday motivation
acquire and improve their knowledge and skills. These The use of information and communication technol-
technologies make learning independent of location and ogies in educational institutions has led to the introduc-
time. Learning applications base their work on modern tion of new frameworks, models of work, as well as ways
mobile technologies. Also, different approaches such of working, all in accordance with the modern needs of
as psychology and gamification make the learning pro- students and professors around the world. Applications
cess easier and more tempting. Precisely because of the whose purpose is to be used in the educational process,
different possibilities of application many schools and in addition to basic functionalities, also have the task
universities already use distance learning mobile ap- of making the learning process more interactive, more
plications to make learning more interesting. These ap- committed, and more successful.
plications can be used on various mobile devices like
A large number of feasibility studies, as well as
mobile phones, tablets, lap tops, etc. In some cases, such
research have shown that the use of smart devices and
devices can be used as learning tool within the class-
mobile phones in the learning process is far closer
room during the classes, or for distance learning.
to today's students compared to the traditional use of
In order to reduce the pressure that the teaching pro- books. The results of such research are confirmed by
cess leaves both on students and professors and to make the fact that today's students have encountered mobile
learning more appealing, a lots of different approaches phones and use them since the beginning of their child-
and applications are developed. Beside the fact that hood, which justifies the slogan of “education in your
learning process can be organized online through the hands. Different mobile applications that can be found
use of online portals, students can use different mobile and downloaded from application stores can be classi-
applications for mutual communication, as well as for fied into the following categories:
communication with professors, taking notes, sharing
files, etc. Whether it is applications used during in-class • Online tutorials and online schools
teaching or applications used for distance learning, ap- • Application for paying tuition fees electronically
plications facilitate the learning process. Practically, the • Attendance records applications
benefit that mobile applications bring both to students • Worksheet and workbook management applications
and educational institutions is constantly increasing [9].
• Applications for telling stories to children
The popularity of educational applications is largely
• ERP software for universities
reflected in their mobility. Application mobility is im-
portant quite because people do not have much free • Online quizzes and tests
time for additional training and learning. Because of
that, in order to get additional knowledge, they turn to

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Learning applications and different learning plat- In the field of education technology, the main goal
forms created to run on mobile devices have provided a of most of the applications created to work on mobile
way to expand educational courses. The education pro- devices is to improve educational experience of both the
cess is currently available to all age groups of people, student and the professors. If we search for services like
starting from children to retirees. Different groups of the App Store and Google Play Store, we can see that
people access different online courses. In doing so, they tens of thousands of applications intended for education
all have the same goal, and that is to learn new technolo- can be found on them. Available applications cover a
gies like robotics, artificial intelligence, computer vision, wide variety of areas from learning different skills, lan-
etc. In most of the cases these courses are free of charge, guages, math, programming, etc. [12]. Some of the most
and are organized by some of the best universities in innovative and used applications for students, teachers
the world. With the use of mobile learning applications and parents are described in continuation.
as well as distance learning platforms, the availability If the quality of the application is assessed based
of top courses has increased not only in the education on the number of users who downloaded and used
system but also within the industry. For example, many the application, the reminder application in the United
companies allow their employees to follow the courses States holds the leading position with the highest number
of different universities in order to improve their knowl- of downloads during 2018. The Remind application
edge and thus acquire the necessary knowledge in the is practically an online communication platform that
field [11]. The basis of the use of mobile technologies enables students to successfully complete the set tasks
in education is reflected in the collaboration of stu- through the exchange of messages during and after the
dents and professors with each other, both within the class. By using this application, students can send indi-
classroom and outside it. It is possible to find a large vidual or group messages in more than 85 languages,
number of applications on the market that store student can exchange files, images, documents, etc. The popular-
activities and monitor the performance of their learn- ity of this application is evidenced by the fact that it is
ing. Such applications can be accessed from multiple used in more than 95% of public schools in the United
devices and from anywhere. Some of the applications States, which represents a total of 27 million users, both
that can be used for this purpose are TeacherKit and At- students and teachers and parents. The second most
tendance application. Some of the tracked performances downloaded application in the United States from the
are attendance, grade records, performance assessment, group of educational applications is known as Photo-
etc. At the same time, the applications have functionalities math. This app has approximately 10 million downloads.
such as informing parents about their children's progress, The main purpose of this application is to help students
achieved test results, possible problems as well as grades [11]. master the material in mathematics. Practically this ap-
One of the applications that allow students to watch plication represents some kind of camera calculator. The
video lessons from their home is Flipped Classroom. main purpose of Photomath application is to identify
This application is widely accepted by students and mathematical problems based on camera created photo.
professors around the world. Practically, students from When the problem is identified, the application shows
home follow the lectures in the form of video lessons all steps in solving the problem on the mobile device
that the professors were previously recorded. In this way screen. Scientific calculator is an integral part of the ap-
the time spent in classroom can be used for discussion, plication. By using this application, students master the
questions and possible additional research [11]. This material of mathematics much easier, and simply come
way of working enables students to study in a pleasant to the solution of mathematical problems practically
environment of their home, which causes the improve- through the game. Photomath application is available
ment of the achieved results. Viewed from the angle of in over 30 languages.
students who have problems with learning disabilities, When we talk about learning a language using an ap-
the use of such applications can help them overcome
plication, one application stands out. It is an application
disabilities and gain better knowledge. Finding the right
called Duolingo. Duolingo is an application that enables
educational application is a very easy task, given that
learning of over 30 most popular languages. Its down-
in 2020 there are over 500,000 applications. The large
load is completely free. The users of this application are
number of available applications indicates their popu-
offered a quality work environment, as well as the ability
larity. On the other hand, from the users’ point of view,
to monitor learning progress.
it is necessary to find a suitable application from a wide
range of ones.
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Another application that offers distance learning ca- The symbiosis of universities and online learning
pabilities using video streaming is Zoom. This is prac- platforms shows how much the availability of knowl-
tically an application that can be used for any type of edge via mobile devices has developed around the world.
video conferencing. The number of simultaneous users There are practically no restrictions on the availability
is not limited, so that a large number of students can fol- of knowledge in this way. Another example is Udacity.
low the lectures of professors at a given time. In addition This university is one of a group of universities that have
to video streaming, teachers can use this application to their own online learning platform. On their platform
share files, lesson plans, and additional materials and you can find a large number of courses that belong to
exchange text messages with individual users or with a different areas.
group of users.
Edmodo represents learning applications that is 3. DISTANCE EDUCATION IN REPUBLIC OF
which is intended to students, professors, and differ- SERBIA
ent educational organizations. Through the use of Ed-
modo application user can exchange messages, course
Various courses available within the online plat-
materials, create and solve quizzes and tests. One of the
forms offer the opportunity to the Serbian citizens to
benefits of the Edmodo application is the creation and
impove their knowladge and skills. By searching the
use of accounts for parents. Such accounts allow par-
courses, it can be seen that there are a small number
ents to monitor their children's activities, homework as-
of available courses in the Serbian language. Available
signments, grades, as well as exchanged messages with
courses are offered for a certain fee, and last for a certain
teachers.
period of time. The fee includes access to the course ma-
A large number of educational institutions around terials as well as the final exam based on the outcome of
the world provide their students with the opportunity which it is possible to obtain a certificate of completion
to follow classes using online platforms. The created on- of the course. Of course, the fact that foreign language
line platforms are adapted for use on different types of courses are available on world-famous portals such as
devices, as well as on different operating systems. The Coursera cannot be ignored. In this way, the citizens of
courses available on the raised platforms contain both the Republic of Serbia can follow the same courses as the
learning materials and interactive quizzes and tests to participants abroad, and receive certificates of successful
test knowledge. Depending on the level of the educa- completion.
tional institution, the platforms may be owned by them
Distance learning within the school education sys-
or the courses are offered within a portal that combines
tem using online platforms and mobile applications in
different courses from different educational institu-
the Republic of Serbia is regulated through two basic
tions. One of such portals is Coursera. Coursera portal
legal documents. The first document is the Strategy for
as a portal whose main purpose is to enable distance
the Development of Education in the Republic of Ser-
learning has cooperation with more than 200 leading
bia until 20201. This strategy deals with determining the
universities and companies. Content from almost all
purpose, goals, directions, instruments and mechanisms
scientific fields can be found on this portal. The courses
of development of the education system in the Repub-
available on this portal are created by eminent experts
lic of Serbia over a period of ten years, in other words,
and professors for the given field. The materials avail-
it deals with the attempt to shape the development of
able within these courses are also used by their creators
this system in the best known way. The strategy defines
in the daily teaching process within the classrooms of
the development trends of both primary and secondary
the faculties where they work. The quality of the mate-
education and higher education. It is possible to analyze
rial is evidenced by the fact that each course is signed
the visible effects of this strategy on the expiration of the
both by the professor and by the university where it is
mentioned period. The strategy defines basic norms of
initially conducted. Coursera offers about 3900 courses
distance learning as well as its implementation both at
and specializations intended for different levels of study.
the level of primary and secondary education and at the
For a large number of courses, participants are given the
level of higher education.
opportunity to check their knowledge through a series
of tests and quizzes after completing the course, and for
1 Strategy for the Development of Education in the Repub-
the same they receive a certificate of successful comple- lic of Serbia until 2020, Retreived 15.05.2020. from: http://
tion of the course. www.mpn.gov.rs/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/STRATE-
GIJA-OBRAZOVANJA.pdf
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However, the number of educational institutions Paragraph 10 of Article 105 defines that the detailed
that conduct distance learning using mobile technolo- conditions and manner of taking the exam via electronic
gies is far less than the total number of institutions that communications referred to in paragraph 3 of this Ar-
conduct traditional forms of education. Observed from ticle shall be regulated by the standard for accreditation
the angle of equipping institutions with information and of distance learning programs.
communication hardware and software equipment, it The secondary education system does not offer the
can be noticed that still institutions, especially primary possibility of distance learning, so there are no applica-
and secondary schools, are not equipped with sufficient tions available with learning materials. Distance learning
quality for this type of teaching. failed the exam during the Kovid 19 pandemic. It was es-
Another legal document on which the development pecially noticeable in the area south of the Sava and the
of education is based is the Law on Higher Education2. Danube. Practically, teachers in primary and secondary
According to the Law on Higher Education, distance schools are left without any preparation to just figure
learning is allowed in Serbia. Article 43 defines that any out how to organize classes. The most common form of
higher education institution may conduct a distance teaching was via Viber groups, in which the influence of
learning program, in accordance with the work permit. the school was almost non-existent. Practically, the teach-
This practically means that every higher education insti- ers themselves found a way to work with students, which
tution that has a license to conduct distance learning had may not have been ideal, but it was almost the only viable
to previously met all the conditions for quality teaching in sollution. The observed problems were reflected in the
this way. The conditions that need to be met are defined unavailability of a quality internet connection, although
within the accreditation standards. Article 96 of the Law the education development strategy defined the introduc-
on Higher Education defines that closer conditions and tion of broadband internet in all households by 2020. As
ways of realizing a distance learning program are regu- far as hardware resources are concerned, the largest per-
lated by a general act of a higher education institution. centage of students followed the classes on mobile phones
Serbian legislation does not recognize any other way through the Viber application. Students and teachers of
of taking pre-examination and examination obligations, equipped schools most often decided to use zoom appli-
except for the physical presence of the student in the in- cations in order to perform better.
stitution itself and in no other way. The vast majority of Of the total number of accredited both state and
higher education institutions that educate students at a private universities and vocational colleges, very few
distance still do not allow online taking of colloquia and have accredited distance learning study programs.
exams. With this, schools distanced themselves from pos- The Faculty of Organizational Sciences in Belgrade is
sible cheating on exams, and students from the ridicule in the lead in terms of distance learning. In addition to
of the environment that "Google" passed all their exams. it, in the Republic of Serbia there is another number of
The preparation of colloquium and final exams is state faculties that offer their students the availability of
held exclusively in the premises of the School and there materials through various e-platforms. Precisely such
is no difference in their organization for distance stu- platforms were used for material exchanges during the
dents and students of classical studies. The student of pandemic. Faculties such as the Faculty of Electronics
distance studies is then obliged to be physically present in Nis (more precisely, the study program Computer
at the School and to take the exam in person. Science and Informatics at this faculty) have decided to
The manner of conducting the exam is defined in use Microsoft Teams tools. Regarding higher vocational
Article 105 of the Law on Higher Education. Paragraph schools, officially four higher vocational schools in the
two of this article defines that the exam is taken at the Republic of Serbia have accredited distance learning.
seat of the higher education institution, i.e. in the fa- High vocational schools that have moodle platforms can
cilities specified in the work permit. The provision of also be singled out as a supplement to the traditional
paragraph 2 of Article 105 also refers to conducting a way of learning. The organization of studies in higher
distance learning program, with the proviso that for a vocational schools that are not equipped with the neces-
foreign student, a higher education institution may en- sary equipment for distance learning during the covid
able exams via electronic communications, provided 19 pandemic was reduced to communication between
that the application of appropriate technical solutions teachers and students via email, viber groups, zoom ap-
ensures control of student identification and work. plications, etc. A number of private universities have
accredited distance learning study programs. It can be
2 Law on Higher Education, "Official Gazette of RS no. 88/2017,
said that private universities saw distance learning as a
73/2018, 27/2018 - other. law, 67/2019 and 6/2020 - other. laws "
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chance to attract students. Some of them, in addition to ACKNOWLEDGMENT

the learning process itself, also perform knowledge test
using online platforms. One of the universities where This work has been supported by the Ministry of
the process of teaching and testing students has reached Education, Science and Technological Development
a notable level is Singidunum University. Working with of the Republic of Serbia in the projects III-43007, TR
students and their testing process is accompanied by 35026 and TR 32023.
strictly introduced criteria that allow precise informa-
tion on whether the student has independently created
the tests. The parameters that are monitored during the
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