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An assessment of a ROS class using an educational mobile robot

2024 , Varela Aldas, José , Junta, Christian , Buele, Jorge , Guillermo Palacios-Navarro

The Robot Operating System (ROS) is a middleware that standardizes robot programming, both in simulation and with real equipment. Despite this open-source tool being available for several years, there's still a need to enhance its utilization in robotics education across all educational levels. In this study, a ROS class is assessed among university students using a commercial educational robot. The primary objective is to measure academic emotions in learning and student performance to determine the impact of the class using the open-access tool from a GitHub repository (https://github.com/joseVarelaAldas/ROS-Crowbot). This tool is based on the rosserial package, compatible with the ESP32 board. For class, CrowBot robots connected to the local wireless network via WiFi are used. TThe participants in this study were eight students from an electronics degree program at a higher education institution, who had no prior experience with ROS and received practical training using the educational mobile robot. For data collection on class performance, three parameters are assessed: execution time, functionality, and motivation, and to measure academic emotions, a validated self-report instrument is used. The results show an overall performance of 82.1%, and in the self-report on academic emotions, a high score in enjoyment (95%) and the lowest score in boredom (24.1 %) were obtained. In conclusion, the repository provides an interesting, practical, and accessible tool for an introduction into the world of robotics using ROS.

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Technology-Mediated Collaborative Strategies Among Online University Students

2025 , Núñez-Naranjo, Aracelly Fernanda , Quezada-Sarmiento, Pablo Alejandro , Junta, Christian , Orly Carvache-Franco , Lidia Minchenkova , Carvajal, Christian

This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of collaborative teaching strategies mediated by digital technologies among online university students. The research was conducted with a sample of 256 participants, divided into an experimental group and a control group. While both groups used technological resources, only the experimental group engaged in structured collaborative strategies using tools such as Genially, Kahoot, Canva, Padlet, and Wordwall, within the framework of the Cátedra Integradora course. The results revealed a significant improvement in the academic performance of the experimental group, with an average increase of 27.4%, compared to 13.2% in the control group. Furthermore, the teacher's perception highlighted higher levels of student engagement, motivation, and collaboration among those who actively participated in the strategies. These findings demonstrate that the intentional use of educational technologies with a collaborative focus fosters active, participatory, and meaningful learning, while also strengthening socio-emotional skills and improving academic achievement in virtual higher education settings. © 2025 IEEE.

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Educational Quality in Teaching Magnetism Using Dedicated Mobile Devices

2024 , Junta, Christian , Varela Aldas, José , Washington Collay , David Rivas-Lalaleo , Guillermo Palacios-Navarro

New technologies offer unprecedented opportunities to enhance classroom education, especially in practical subjects like physics, where experiments can be controlled via mobile devices. This facilitates both theoretical and practical learning. This study assesses the impact of using dedicated mobile devices in educational settings compared to traditional teaching methods. The application allows students to view educational information on an M5Stack Core2 device that also includes an electromagnet. We use the Student Evaluation of Educational Quality (SEEQ) to gather feedback and evaluate various aspects of the learning experience. Results indicate significant improvements in learning, enthusiasm, organization, group interaction, individual relationships, and breadth of device usage. Evaluations show that device-assisted classes outperform traditional classes in most categories, highlighting the benefits of integrating technology into education. The findings emphasize the importance of adapting teaching methods to enhance the overall quality of education and student engagement using dedicated mobile devices.

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Can social robots improve the hospital experience of children?

2026 , Buele, Jorge , Junta, Christian , Marcelo Fajardo-Pruna , Edwin Pozo-Safla , Francisco Yumbla

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Analysis of Urban Transport User Satisfaction in Ambato: Segmented Results from a Target Population

2025 , Junta, Christian , William Avila-Armijos , Núñez-Naranjo, Aracelly Fernanda , Varela Aldas, José , Fernando Vladimir Junta

Urban public transportation plays a crucial role in the daily mobility of citizens, especially in medium-sized cities like Ambato, Ecuador. This study aims to evaluate user satisfaction levels with different urban transport cooperatives through a data-driven approach. A total of 123 responses were collected via a digitally distributed survey using QR codes, with a methodological focus on individuals aged 20 to 40 due to their higher digital literacy. The questionnaire included dimensions such as comfort and safety, risk perception, and punctuality. The analysis, conducted through Power BI, revealed differentiated levels of satisfaction across service dimensions. Comfort and safety received a mean rating of 41.5%, while risk perception reached 53.8%. Punctuality, evaluated through a single item, showed a favorable perception from 66.7% of users. These findings indicate specific areas of concern, such as perceptions of security and cleanliness, which require attention from transport providers and local authorities. The results provide a scalable model for user satisfaction assessment that can be replicated in other urban contexts. Moreover, the integration of business intelligence tools facilitates evidencebased decision-making and supports future initiatives to enhance urban mobility systems in Ecuador and Latin America. © 2025 IEEE.