Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio
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Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio
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Quito
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hugoarias@uti.edu.ec
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57210802646

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Digital Catalogs and Digital Marketing Strategies for Product Promotion in the Popular and Solidarity Economy: A Community Engagement Experience

2026 , Borja Galeas, Carlos , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Sánchez Montero, Ivanna Karina

This article analyzes the development of digital catalogs as a strategic marketing tool for promoting products within the popular and solidarity economy (EPS), as part of a community engagement project carried out by sixth-semester students from the Digital Marketing program at Universidad Indoamérica. The students, who had already gained experience in web development, worked on creating interactive digital catalogs for 12 local businesses from the province of Pichincha, whose products were already equipped with labels and packaging ready for commercialization. In addition to designing the catalogs, digital marketing elements such as visual content optimization and linking the catalogs to e-commerce platforms and social media were integrated. The results show that the use of digital catalogs not only facilitated the professional presentation of the products but also enhanced consumer interaction and expanded the reach of these businesses in the digital marketplace. This study demonstrates how the collaboration between academia and community can strengthen small businesses, fostering their growth in digital environments. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.

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Artificial Intelligence and Assistive Technologies: A Systematic Review of Educational Applications for Disabilities

2025 , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Valencia-Aragón, Kevin , Tania Calle-Jimenez , Sandra Sanchez-Gordon

The global population of individuals with disabilities, representing 15% of the world’s people, faces significant challenges in accessing higher education due to insufficient accessibility and persistent discrimination. This paper aims to evaluate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and assistive technologies in higher education to improve learning experiences for students with disabilities. Despite advancements in AI, only a small proportion of students with disabilities report satisfaction with existing inclusion efforts. Through a systematic review of the scientific literature from 2019 to 2023, this study examines the current use of AI in higher education, focusing on its application to enhance accessibility, personalized learning, and support for students with disabilities. The research highlights key areas such as intelligent tutoring systems, adaptive learning, and the role of educational technologies in fostering inclusion. While AI and assistive technologies hold great potential, challenges including ethical concerns, biases, and the low adoption rate of assistive technologies remain. The findings emphasize the need for further research to ensure that AI fosters genuine inclusion rather than exacerbating exclusion, urging continued efforts in developing more accessible educational environments for all students.

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Development of Websites as an Academic Integrative Project to Strengthen Businesses in the Popular and Solidarity Economy

2026 , Borja Galeas, Carlos , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Sánchez Montero, Ivanna Karina

This article explores the development of websites as an academic integrative project aimed at strengthening businesses within the popular and solidarity economy (EPS) in the province of Pichincha, Ecuador. Fifth-semester students from the Digital Marketing program at Universidad Indoamérica, as part of their integrative project, worked on creating customized websites for 12 local businesses that already had marketable products, including labels, packaging, and other presentation tools. Using the WordPress platform, the students developed websites tailored to the specific needs of each business, with the goal of improving their digital presence, facilitating access to broader markets, and increasing the competitiveness of their products and services. In addition to the technical development, graphic design elements such as professional product photography and promotional videos were integrated, along with digital marketing strategies that included search engine optimization and social media integration. The results indicate that the creation of these customized websites significantly increased the online visibility of the businesses and enhanced consumer perception of professionalism and trust. This study highlights the importance of applied academic projects as tools for community engagement and local economic development in vulnerable sectors. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.

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Exploring the Effectiveness of Assistive Technology: A Preliminary Case Study Using Makey Makey, Tobii Eye Tracker, and Leap Motion

2024 , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Valencia-Aragón, Kevin , Sandra Sanchez-Gordón

This study evaluates the usefulness and efficacy of three different continuous input devices - Makey Makey, Tobii Eye Tracker 4C, and Leap Motion - in promoting computer engagement for people with disabilities. A preliminary pilot study was conducted with the participation of one person with several disabilities. They were given various tasks to accomplish using each continuous input device, and their performance was assessed. To conduct the study, an experimental environment including two computers and a designed interface had to be setup. The findings showed that Leap Motion had poor perceived usability and that Makey Makey had the best usability, followed by Tobii Eye Tracker 4C. The pilot study also emphasizes the difficulties and modifications needed for people with disabilities to use these input devices in an efficient manner. These results highlight how crucial it is to create inclusive interfaces and technologies in order to improve accessibility for a range of user demographics

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Kiteracy-PiFo: Technological Tool for Teaching the Rules of Grapheme-Phoneme Correspondence

2025 , María de los Ángeles Carpio-Brenes , Jadán Guerrero, Janio , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Valencia-Aragón, Kevin

This study presents Kiteracy-PiFo, a technological tool designed to teach grapheme-phoneme correspondence to preschool students. Combining computer engineering and special education, the tool was developed to enhance Human-Computer Interaction in early literacy education. Despite challenges, including unforeseen events and technical issues, the tool was successfully implemented across schools in Cartago, Costa Rica. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in vowel recognition between the experimental group using Kiteracy-PiFo and the control group using traditional methods, with the experimental group achieving higher results in less time. These findings suggest that integrating innovative technologies like Kiteracy-PiFo into educational practices can effectively accelerate learning in early childhood settings. However, successful implementation depends on strong pedagogical support and alignment with psychological principles to meet students’ cognitive and emotional needs.

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Analysis of the Level of Accessibility of Scientific Online Conferences for Blind Participants

2021 , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Sanchez-Gordon S. , Calle-Jimenez T.

The change generated by the virtualization of activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the way people participate in countless activities. Scientific conferences, like many other events, were forced by the circumstances to change from face-to-face to online overnight. The goal of this study is to identify the accessibility barriers that the platforms used by scientific online conferences pose for blind participants. The research methodology used was experiential introspection complemented by automated testing. Exploratory tests were conducted by a blind researcher using the JAWS screen reader. Besides, the accessibility evaluation tool WAVE was used to identify non-conformances with the web content accessibility guidelines WCAG. As a result, it was found in some cases a null level of accessibility and, in other cases, complexity was detected in the access to activities. As for no conformances with WCAG, two of the most prominent were empty links and the absence of headings for efficient screen reader navigation. The automated tool showed errors and alerts that need to be fixed in the teleconferencing platforms evaluated. It is presumed that, unfortunately, the moderately or even basic concepts for the participation of users with visual disabilities and blind are not being considered in the platforms used to host virtual scientific conferences. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Educational Escape Room: A Gamified Strategy for Teaching Ecuadorian Cultural Heritage

2026 , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Zapata, Mireya

The study is grounded in educational innovation through gamification, emphasizing the significance of meaningful learning and active student engagement. The primary objective is to design a sustainable course based on the ADDIE model, incorporating the Escape Room strategy to enhance motivation and learning in Cultural and Artistic Education. The ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) was employed to structure the educational proposal. In the analysis phase, educational needs were identified through consultations with 18 teachers. During the design phase, the structure of the Escape Room, entitled “La Ruta Escondida—Discovering History,” was established, featuring thematic missions related to Ecuadorian heritage. In the development phase, digital educational resources were created using platforms such as Genially and Wordwall. Implementation involved active student participation, and evaluation was conducted using observation checklists. The findings demonstrate improvements in student motivation, collaborative work, and problem-solving skills. Greater interaction and content appropriation were observed, establishing the Escape Room as an effective tool for immersive learning. The study confirms that gamification fosters meaningful learning by promoting participation and the development of key skills within the classroom. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2026.

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Providing Access to Educational TV for Children Using RFID Technology

2022 , Zapata-Rodríguez M. , Álvarez-Tello J. , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio

Television is a communication medium found in most homes, facilitating accessibility to educational content through the reading-learning process. This paper presents a control system for educational television that allows the selection and playback of pre-recorded videos in a television decoder using RFID tags. This has been designed based on a controller that allows replacing the commands sent by a conventional remote control. To meet this educational objective, a prototype is developed from the mechanical, electronic and computer concept, to integrate a technological proposal that facilitates reading-learning, through a televised program and satellite transmission, integrating an instrument of personalized pedagogical assistance to an Ecuadorian spectacled bear for the assistance of children of a young age or with any type of disability that prevents them from handling a remote control. As a result, we obtained the experimental development of a basic prototype for learning-reading that works with connection to satellite equipment and activates the components for learning through television by means of an RFDI system. A unique tag is used for each pre-recorded program. When the RFID reader reads a tag that has been previously assigned, the TV module will transmit the sequence of signals needed to the TV decoder to play the specific movie or report. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Analyzing serious games and literacy

2022 , Pucha G. , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Borja-Galeas C.

Technology allows access to a wealth of resources that facilitate learning, in the case of literacy offers audiovisual resources that streamline cognitive skills. However, pedagogical strategies are required to implement technologies and achieve meaningful learning. Serious games arise as a proposal that seeks the development of learning through the development of activities of the game adjusting to the main way in which it is learned: through what is said and done. In this context, the objective of the research is to establish the use of serious games aimed at reinforcing literacy skills that strengthen the learning of second-year students of EGB. The focus of the research is qualitative with a descriptive scope, in which interviews were conducted with the actors of the educational process. The results show that children fail to develop their literacy skills, due to scarce didactic resources, ignorance of methodologies, lack of practice exercises and poor integration of innovative strategies that stimulate collaborative learning in the learning environment. The development of a strategy based on serious games, from mobile applications for the strengthening of literacy skills, with positive reinforcement and constant feedback, will allow students to maintain interest and develop these skills that are indispensable to continue in the educational process. © 2022 IEEE Computer Society. All rights reserved.

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Adoption of Technological Products and Services in an Ecuadorian University for External Consumers

2021 , Palacio-Fierro A. , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio

This article describes the experiences, initiatives and advances in disability issues for external consumers at a university in Ecuador, which has promoted collaboration agreements with various institutions. This synergy has allowed technological solutions to be developed in the field of disability. These include software for blind students, an augmentative communication board app for people with hearing disabilities, a telerehabilitation platform using the Kinect sensor for those with physical disabilities, a literacy kit with tangible interfaces and RFID sensors. Also, an inclusive board for people with intellectual disabilities which integrates Braille code, QR codes and augmented reality. These technologies have transcended academic frontiers and today, thanks to projects of connection with society, they support a vulnerable and traditionally forgotten population. In terms of educational inclusion, figures and initiatives that the university carries out through its Academic Department and Research Institute are presented. In the workplace, the institution developed a MOOC platform to raise awareness on the treatment of people with disabilities, through which nearly 800,000 public sector workers have been trained. Thanks to all these technological initiatives, a teleworking proposal was generated, which is still in development to connect people with disabilities and companies in carrying out intellectual tasks through a technological platform. The result of all these initiatives has left gratifying experiences and increasingly higher challenges in favor of educational and labor inclusion, especially of people with disabilities where there are more barriers in society than due to their abilities. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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