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Validation of the GAEU-1 Acale to Assess the Learning Management of University Students

2023 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , García-Cruz P. , Lepe-Martínez N. , Del Valle M. , Bolaños-Pasquel M. , Cruz-Cárdenas J.

Introduction: The self-management of university learning encompasses a series of aspects that allow students to be conscious and autonomous in their professional training. Objective: In this article, we present the process of creation and validation of a scale to assess essential factors of this phenomenon: self-management of learning, conscious motivation strategies for learning, perception of academic performance, and techniques for deep learning. Method: The design is a cross-sectional quantitative process with the purpose of carrying out validity and reliability analysis of a psychological measurement instrument. The research was conducted with 1373 university students from Chile and Ecuador. Results: The scale consists of 19 items that conform the four factors mentioned and whose results indicate adequate psychometric properties, allowing it to be applied in the Latin American context. Novelty: This research proposes a new instrument to assess the self-management of the university learning process, which contributes to carrying out new research in the university educational context. © 2023 by the authors. Licensee ESJ, Italy.

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Cognitive Interventions Based on Technology: A Systematic Literature Review

2021 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Cóndor-Herrera, Omar , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Jadán Guerrero, Janio , Bolaños-Pasquel M. , Cedillo P.

This article reports a systematic review of research done about the positive impact of cognitive treatment for people with some type of brain disorder through the use of inclusive technologies. The article collected 21 publications of high impact magazines uncovering that countries such as Spain, France, and Russia have a significant number of contributions on this topic. Inclusive technological innovations which are intended for work on brain functions such as attention, memory, verbal fluency, problem-solving and behavior regulation have been mainly developed in devices such as Tablets and Robots. The data discussed highlights the need to continue in this line of research to determine the effect of this type of intervention, as well as the future projection of developing new technological devices facilitating human brain functions. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Neuropsychological functioning in young professionals who use alcohol as a leisure activity [Funcionamiento neuropsicológico en profesionales jóvenes que consumen alcohol como actividad de esparcimiento]

2020 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Serrano-Flores P.

Nowadays it is common for young professionals, after their weekly working hours, to carry out recreational activities that involve the consumption of alcohol. In this sense, the article reports a study that analyzed the impact on the neuropsychological functioning of 30 young professionals who consume alcohol weekly (Mage = 29.07, SD = 5.50), when compared with 32 young professionals who do not consume alcohol (Mage = 29.56, SD = 5.96). Results suggest that adults in the group consuming alcohol have a lower performance in neuropsychological tests assessing cognitive flexibility (t = 2.10, p =. <.05), initiative (t = 2.15, p = <.05), fluency phonological (t = -2.09, p = <.05), reading (t = -2.14, p = <.05), similarities (t = -2.03, p = <.05), visual-spatial memory (t = - 2.14, p = <.05) and recognition (t = -2.48, p = <.01), when compared with the control group. The results suggest that weekly alcohol consumption generates a negative impact on the functioning of professional adults, which can have a counterproductive effect in the contexts where it is developed. The results are discussed around previous research and highlighting the need to identify the effect of alcohol consumption once a week, which would be seen as a leisure activity for young professional adults, not taking into account the negative impact on their cognitive performance. © 2020 Editora Cientifica Nacional Ltda. All rights reserved.

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Enhancing mathematics learning with 3D augmented reality escape room

2024 , Zapata, Mireya , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Valencia-Aragón, Kevin , Lidia Guachi

Learning mathematics is a challenge for many students, especially because of the traditionalist method with which its contents are taught. To a large extent, mathematics classes generate little motivation in students, so in this research, a novel technological method based on augmented reality is applied to improve the mathematics learning process, particularly the techniques of solving systems of linear equations. The research design used was a two-phase mixed sequential confirmatory type. The research worked with a sample of 65 students (Mage=17.72, SD=0.65; 58.5% female and 41.5% male). In the first phase, a quasi-experimental study was designed with an experimental group (M=32) and a control group (M=33). The experimental group received a mathematics teaching and learning intervention based on augmented reality vs. the control group, which received a traditional educational process. The experimental group showed improvements in acquired knowledge and motivation compared to the control group students. In the qualitative phase, two focus groups were conducted with students from their respective groups. In the experimental group, the following categories were identified: interesting, fun, innovative, and entertaining. The control group identified the following categories: little attention, low interest in learning, tired knowledge, and lack of motivation. The results are discussed in relation to the need to generate educational processes that benefit mathematics learning

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Low-Cost Human–Machine Interface for Computer Control with Facial Landmark Detection and Voice Commands

2022 , Ramos, P. , Zapata, Mireya , Valencia, K. , Vargas, V. , Ramos Galarza, Carlos

Nowadays, daily life involves the extensive use of computers, since human beings are immersed in a technological society. Therefore, it is mandatory to interact with computers, which represents a true disadvantage for people with upper limb disabilities. In this context, this work aims to develop an interface for emulating mouse and keyboard functions (EMKEY) by applying concepts of artificial vision and voice recognition to replace the use of hands. Pointer control is achieved by head movement, whereas voice recognition is used to perform interface functionalities, including speech-to-text transcription. To evaluate the interface’s usability and usefulness, two studies were carried out. The first study was performed with 30 participants without physical disabilities. Throughout this study, there were significant correlations found between the emulator’s usability and aspects such as adaptability, execution time, and the participant’s age. In the second study, the use of the emulator was analyzed by four participants with motor disabilities. It was found that the interface was best used by the participant with cerebral palsy, followed by the participants with upper limb paralysis, spina bifida, and muscular dystrophy. In general, the results show that the proposed interface is easy to use, practical, fairly accurate, and works on a wide range of computers. © 2022 by the authors.

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Technological Intervention Through the Virtual Assistant Alexa in the Development of Linguistic Skills of a New Language

2021 , Cóndor-Herrera, Omar , Jadán Guerrero, Janio , Acosta Rodas P. , Ramos Galarza, Carlos

Nowadays, technological advances have made possible the constant innovation of education, adding resources, tools, and technological devices that are rapidly updated, and improved, is in this scenario where it is proposed to take advantage of the benefits that technology offers, plus the set of informatic abilities that current students have developed from early stages, in benefit of education, since these abilities make easier for teachers to introduce tools, and technological devices into the teaching-learning process. The present research consisted on a technological intervention using the virtual assistant Alexa, with the aim of working on linguistic abilities to learn a new language. The study was conducted with a sample of 32 children aged between 9 and 12 years old. The procedure consisted in the application of an initial assessment (pre-test), then, along 6 weeks an intervention based on the application of Alexa virtual assistant was made, and, at the end of the intervention, a post-test was applied. The intervention focused on four abilities: vocabulary, comprehension of English language, communication skills, and skills of meaning. As results, in vocabulary, there were found statistically significant differences between the pre (M = 4.06), and post-test (M = 7.19); in the comprehension of English language, pre (M = 2.38), and post-test (M = 3.47); regarding communication skills, pre (M = 2.28), and post-test (M = 3.09); and, in skills of meaning, the mean obtained in the pre-test was (M = 3.31), and post-test (M = 4.66); these results contribute with empirical evidence about the improvement in learning a new language. From this research, it is proposed to continue using, and discovering the benefits of different innovations in educative context. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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From Face-to-Face Learning to Virtual Learning: Students’ Perspective

2023 , Cóndor-Herrera, Omar , Bolaños-Pasquel, Mónica , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Cruz Cárdenas, Jorge

This article reports the results found in an investigation which analyzed the perception that students have regarding the virtual learning process developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved 38 students from a Latin American institution whose age ranged from 13 to 15 years of age, who carried out their academic activities virtually for a school year, once the school period ended, a survey was applied to collect information on the experience in virtual classes, once the results have been analyzed, it is evident that the vast majority of students issued responses in favor of virtual teaching and that virtual classes served to develop their skills in managing technological resources, on the other hand a number of participants They did not indicate the learning experience as positive or negative. This may be related to the fact that a group of participants did not have good quality internet. In the same way, the results reflect that the students consider that not having adequate equipment and good quality internet quality are a limitation in the learning process virtual lift. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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The executive functions of the frontal lobe and its association with the academic performance of students in higher education

2018 , Besserra-Lagos D. , Lepe-Martínez N. , Ramos Galarza, Carlos

Introduction. Executive functions (EF) are a set of mental skills that allow to regulate the behavior, metacognition and emotions; executing a conscious control of the own thought. The development is progressive along the vital cycle of the human being, therefore, they meet involved in the social, emotional and academic development of the persons. There exist studies that affirm that the academic performance meets influenced by the level of development of the EF (inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility, monitoring and self-regulation) which relation has been progressively studied in diverse ages ranges and educational levels. Method. This article, has the aim to define and explain principal EF that they influence in the academic performance in university students. For it, there was realized a method of systematic review that allows to compile the investigations that affirm the above mentioned relation. Results and Conclusions. The scopes of the studies affirm that the principal EF involved in the academic performance of the university students is the working memory and in minor measure, the skills of planning, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. Finally, there are discussed the limitations and projections that this study allows to approach; considering the EF to be a key factor for the academic university success and the implementation of instances of pedagogic supports that should favor the professional development of the students. © 2018 Fundacion para la difusion neurologica en Ecuador - FUNDINE. All rights reserved.

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Efeco scale for assessing executive functions in self-report format [La escala efec'o para valorar funciones ejecutivas en formato de auto-reporte]

2019 , Ramos Galarza, Carlos , Bolanos-Pasquel M. , Garcia-Gomez A. , Siiarez P.M. , Jadán Guerrero, Janio

EFEC'O questionnaire is an instrument that allows assessing executive functions from an ecological perspective because it is based on a day-by-day behavioral report of an individual. The aim was to validate EFEC'O questionnaire in a self-report format. Participants were 250 Ecuadorian adolescents aged between 13 and 18 years (3/a?e=16.23. SD=\.Ti). As results, there was found a significant internal consistency (a=.64-.95), correlation among items (r=.32-.62), correlation among sub-scales (r=.40-76). confirmatory factor analysis of two factors (x2=3S.S7, CFI=98, RMSEA=. 065 [035-094], SRMR=027) and discriminant capacity in monitoring, cognitive flexibility. organization of material, initiative, working memory and planning of adolescents with differences on academic performance. In the discussion part, results are presented in relation to previous findings and taking on account the importance of having an instrument with an ecological validity to assess executive functions. © 2019 AIDEP. All rights reserved.

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Technology in Favor of Disability: Prevalence Study in Ecuador

2021 , Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio , Acosta-Rodas P. , Jadán Guerrero, Janio , Ramos Galarza, Carlos

People with disabilities and special needs are very important part of the society, their needs have not been covered over time. Globalization and technological development helped identify the importance of various groups with disabilities. In Ecuador, this identification allows this social group to be visible and particularly people with visual disabilities, who represent approximately 11% of the population with disabilities. The objective of this research is to identify Ecuador’s cities that maintain a higher prevalence of people with disabilities. To comply with the study, a descriptive analysis was conducted from public information about people registered by the authorized government control body. Obtaining this information makes it possible to establish a baseline of attention with real data, which allows getting a greater focus on the development of this social group and the attention they should receive. © 2021, The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.