Zapata, Mireya
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Preferred name
Zapata, Mireya
Main Affiliation
Quito
Email
mireyazapata@uti.edu.ec
ORCID
Scopus Author ID
56818703100

Research Output
Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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Publication

Playful Thinking as a Strategy to Assess Mathematical Skills in Primary School

2023 , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Solis M. , Zapata, Mireya

This research aims to find gamified tools that can be used by teachers in their classes and transform traditional evaluation so that it is attractive to the student and their mathematical skills are developed. The objective of the research was to empirically analyze whether the use of gamification has a positive impact on Mathematics Evaluation, through the application of a quasi-experimental program for learning basic operations in fourth-year students of Basic General Education. We worked with an experimental group and a control group, under the hypothesis that there is a significant difference in the results of the evaluation of basic operations in mathematics when using a traditional instrument and another online. The designed instrument consists of 20 multiple-choice questions, extracted from the PISA model evaluates for the fourth year. The experimental group was evaluated with the instrument in Word and the online instrument was used with the control group. The results of the evaluation of the experimental group have an average of 16.15, after the intervention, while the control group has an average of 14.20; showing that there is a difference in the evaluations when using a traditional instrument and another online. It is concluded that these new ways of evaluating and learning through gamified modalities and resources open new spaces to investigate different options on how to value knowledge to future generations, regardless of obstacles of time, space, and resources. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

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Publication

Optimizing Agriculture with LoRaWAN and HCI: A Smart Approach to Sustainable Farming

2025 , Valencia-Aragón, Kevin , Zapata, Mireya , Cristopher Toapanta , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio

Modern agriculture faces challenges including water scarcity, excessive fertilizer use, and limited connectivity in rural areas, all exacerbated by climate change. This paper presents a smart agriculture system leveraging LoRaWAN technology and human-computer interfaces (HCI) to address these issues. The proposed system integrates low-cost sensors, a LoRaWAN-based network, and a user-friendly dashboard for real-time monitoring of critical variables such as soil moisture, ambient humidity and temperature. A proof-of-concept implementation demonstrates the system’s effectiveness in optimizing water and fertilizer use while maintaining scalability for large agricultural operations. The system operates reliably within rural environments without relying on traditional internet infrastructure, offering an affordable and sustainable solution. Field tests validate the system’s performance, highlighting its potential to enhance decision-making and resource efficiency in floriculture and beyond. Future work aims to expand the system’s capabilities with additional sensors, artificial intelligence for predictive analytics, and automated control mechanisms, further supporting sustainable farming practices

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Advancements in Assistive Robotics: A Systematic Review of Inclusive Technologies for People With Disabilities

2025 , Zapata, Mireya , Diego Guevara , Jennifer Obregón , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Ramos Galarza, Carlos

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 16% of the global population lives with some form of disability, be it physical, sensory, intellectual, or psychosocial. Individuals with disabilities face numerous challenges related to mobility, communication, access to education, and other essential aspects of daily life. In this context, robotic technologies have emerged as innovative solutions aimed at improving autonomy, rehabilitation, and social inclusion. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and synthesize the scientific evidence on robotic technologies developed to support people with disabilities. More specifically, the review sought to analyze the temporal and geographical distribution of research, classify the types of robotic technologies and their applications, examine methodological characteristics and participant demographics, and highlight the key contributions and gaps reported in the included studies. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in Scopus, PubMed, and IEEE Xplore. From an initial pool of 6,290 articles, 89 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The results were categorized into five main themes: publication trends, types of robotic technologies and applications, methodological characteristics, participant demographics, and key contributions. The findings reveal a strong concentration of research on articulated robots for physical disabilities, alongside limited exploration of intellectual, sensory, and psychosocial contexts. While robotic interventions demonstrate significant potential for rehabilitation and daily assistance, challenges remain regarding sample sizes, diversity of disabilities addressed, and long-term validation studies. This review contributes to a deeper understanding of the state of the art in assistive robotics and identifies future research directions to enhance inclusion, accessibility, and clinical integration

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Learning Through Play: Implementing an Educational Escape Room for Teaching Traditions and Culture

2025 , Valencia-Aragón, Kevin , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Zapata, Mireya , Luis Aguirre-Morales , Sandra Sanchez-Gordon

This study explores the implementation of an educational Escape Room as a pedagogical strategy to teach tangible cultural heritage to students in Ecuador. This Escape Room was designed using the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation) and integrated into the basic education curriculum for Ecuadorian schools. The primary objective was to enhance students’ engagement and understanding of Ecuador’s cultural heritage through an interactive and gamified learning experience. The Escape Room was structured around five missions, each focusing on different aspects of the cultural heritage of five parishes in Ecuador. Students were required to solve puzzles, answer questions, and complete challenges to progress through the game. The results of the implementation, evaluated through observation and student feedback, indicated a high level of student engagement, improved problem-solving skills, and a deeper appreciation for Ecuador’s cultural heritage. The study concludes that Escape Rooms can be an effective tool for teaching cultural heritage, fostering teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking among students. This innovative approach not only makes learning more dynamic and enjoyable but also aligns with modern educational trends that emphasize active and experiential learning.

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Publication

Optimizing Agriculture with LoRaWAN and HCI: A Smart Approach to Sustainable Farming

2025 , Valencia-Aragón, Kevin , Zapata, Mireya , Cristopher Toapanta , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio

Modern agriculture faces challenges including water scarcity, excessive fertilizer use, and limited connectivity in rural areas, all exacerbated by climate change. This paper presents a smart agriculture system leveraging LoRaWAN technology and human-computer interfaces (HCI) to address these issues. The proposed system integrates low-cost sensors, a LoRaWAN-based network, and a user-friendly dashboard for real-time monitoring of critical variables such as soil moisture, ambient humidity and temperature. A proof-of-concept implementation demonstrates the system’s effectiveness in optimizing water and fertilizer use while maintaining scalability for large agricultural operations. The system operates reliably within rural environments without relying on traditional internet infrastructure, offering an affordable and sustainable solution. Field tests validate the system’s performance, highlighting its potential to enhance decision-making and resource efficiency in floriculture and beyond. Future work aims to expand the system’s capabilities with additional sensors, artificial intelligence for predictive analytics, and automated control mechanisms, further supporting sustainable farming practices.

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