Education Day of the MoStart Conference highlights innovation and the digital future

More than 200 teachers and education experts from the region and abroad gathered at the Education Day of the MoStart Conference, dedicated to the latest technologies, tools, and practices shaping modern teaching.

Valentina Vidović, a member of the MoStart Conference Organizing Committee and one of the teachers who shared experiences using the e-Diary as a key tool for educators, emphasized the importance of such gatherings: "MoStart is not just a technology conference – it is a place for connection, exchange of experiences, and joint reflection on the future of education. We are proud to have brought together a community of teachers who continuously learn, develop, and contribute to advancing the educational system through technology."

Digital tools in support of the teaching process

The working part of the day was opened with the presentation of the application Školarac, which interactively connects students and teachers through quizzes, forums, surveys, and workshops. Combined with the Moodle platform, it enables teachers to automate assessment, personalize teaching, and provide real-time feedback. The tool was presented by Snježana Damjanović from Fra Martin Nedić Secondary School (Orašje) and Tomislav Papac from SUMIT.

Ivan Ostojić and Josip Doko delivered the lecture e-Diary as a Tool for Teachers from the SUMIT Center for Information Technologies. They presented the functionalities of the e-Diary system used at the University of Mostar, with a special focus on ease of use, data security, and the tool's role in the daily planning and monitoring of the teaching process.

Interactive Zone

One of the highlights of the international MoStart Conference was the science-popular incubator of the Croatian Academic and Research Network – CARNET. This innovative space combines education, modern technology, and interactive entertainment. Alongside the CARNET incubator, visitors also had the opportunity to learn about the work of SWITCH – the IT and technical association of the Faculty of Science and Education at the University of Mostar. SWITCH members showcased their activities, further enriching the content and dynamics of the incubator program.

The Interactive Zone served as a lively exhibition platform where students, teachers, and their projects engaged directly with visitors. In a relaxed yet content-rich atmosphere, schools presented innovative teaching approaches, student sections, and projects that foster collaboration, creativity, and the practical application of knowledge.

Students from Kreševo Secondary School presented their IT projects, demonstrating a high level of technical proficiency and innovative thinking. Their teacher, Goran Franjić, shared his impressions: "Participating in the MoStart Conference was an incredibly inspiring experience. I was especially delighted to present my students' IT projects and share their achievements with other participants. The conference also provided an excellent opportunity for exchanging ideas and connecting with fellow educators."

Mostar Grammar School also showcased rich content through four unique student sections: Romvlvs (Latin language), the School Band, the Journalism Section (school podcast), and the English Club. Teacher Blaženka Gardavski Jović highlighted: "Mostar Grammar School was honored to participate in the Interactive Zone, where innovative teaching approaches, student projects, and sections that emphasize the importance of creativity in the educational process were presented."

Panel Program

Panel discussions raised important questions about the role of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in education, emphasizing ethical, pedagogical, and social aspects of their application.

Panelists Matilda Bulić, Marko Brajković, Ana Smoljo, Prof. Dr. Mirjana Pejić Bach, and Assist. Prof. Dr. Krešimir Rakić participated in the panel "Artificial Intelligence – a Tool or a New Addiction?", analyzing the benefits and challenges of applying AI and emerging technologies in schools.

The lecture on the Kahoot! EDU platform showed how gamification can boost student motivation, while the workshop on Canva demonstrated how teachers can create visually appealing educational materials that encourage learning, especially among students with learning difficulties.

Panels New Reality: Technology and Identity in Contemporary Society and Gamification in Education opened important discussions on the impact of the digital society on the educational process.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sandra Kučina Softić (SRCE), Snježana Damjanović, Hrvoje Sagrak (Infodom), and Dr. Emil Brajković (FPMOZ) offered different perspectives on the advantages and challenges of implementing digital strategies in classrooms.

Digitalization of Public Administration and Strategic Initiatives

The final part of the day featured the panel Digitalization of Public Administration – Challenges and Solutions, where good practices from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina were presented.

The focus was on the synergy between the public and private sectors, available funding sources, and strategies for developing e-Government services. Participants included Franjo Vučić (SUMIT), Ivana Šarić (UNDP), Vjekoslav Lasić (Ministry of Justice and Administration of West Herzegovina Canton), Prof. Dr. Slavko Vidović (Infodom), Mirsad Ahmetović (Ministry of Justice and Administration of Posavina Canton), and Dario Perić (Council of Ministers of BiH).

The Education Day of the MoStart 2025 Conference provided insight into the numerous opportunities digital technologies offer to education – from classrooms to publishing, from primary to higher education. The importance of an inclusive approach, knowledge sharing, and inter-institutional cooperation was highlighted, with a clear message: The future of education is already here – digital, open, and accessible to all.