Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Humanas y de la Educación

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Universidad Indoamérica

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Designing the UI/UX of a Gamified Platform to Raise Awareness About Water Conservation Using the User-Centered Design Method
(Springer Nature Switzerland, 2026)
Jadán Guerrero, Janio
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Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio
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Piedra Ansatuña, Mario
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Sanchez-Gordon, Sandra
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Acosta-Vargas, Patricia
Water conservation and responsible usage are critical to ensuring the sustainability of life on Earth. Raising awareness about these practices is essential to fostering behavioral changes in everyday life. This study aimed to design a gamified environment, integrating both digital and physical mediums, to promote awareness of water conservation. The proposed solutions included digital games, board games, interactive maps, and card games, blending entertainment with education. The research employed the Game Thinking methodology, involving ten master’s students specializing in user experience design. The process adhered to the principles of user-centered design across all phases. Initially, the problem of water scarcity was explained to participants, who subsequently proposed design concepts tailored to this issue. These concepts were developed into prototypes and tested with users representative of the intended age groups. Preliminary results from the first usability tests revealed areas for improvement. Feedback from peer reviews highlighted the need to enhance narrative elements, interface design, usability, and accessibility. Iterative refinements based on this feedback significantly improved the prototypes’ alignment with the project’s educational objectives. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the potential of gamification as a powerful tool for promoting water conservation awareness. Future work will focus on completing functional prototypes and evaluating their impact in real-world settings to measure their effectiveness in instilling responsible water usage behaviors
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Gender Barriers, Equity and Social Sustainability in Rural Agriculture: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach from Ecuador
(MDPI AG, 2026-07-14)
Núñez-Naranjo, Aracelly Fernanda
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Ruiz-Guajala, Mery
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Almagro, Galo
Gender equity has become a key component of sustainable rural development and socially sustainable agricultural systems. This study examines the relationship between perceived gender barriers, gender equity, and social sustainability in agriculture in Tungurahua Province, Ecuador. A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional design was employed using survey data collected from 930 farmers during 2025. Descriptive analyses were used to assess perceived levels of gender equity and social sustainability, while structural equation modeling was applied to evaluate the relationships among the study constructs. The findings reveal high perceived levels of gender equity (80.3%) and social sustainability (88.3%) among participants. The structural model indicates that perceived gender barriers are significantly associated with gender equity (β = 0.383, p < 0.001), and gender equity is positively associated with social sustainability (β = 0.350, p < 0.001). No significant direct effect of perceived gender barriers on social sustainability was identified. The results suggest that gender equity may represent an important pathway linking perceived gender barriers and social sustainability in rural agricultural systems. These findings highlight the importance of promoting equitable access to productive resources, training opportunities, and leadership participation to strengthen social sustainability and inform gender-responsive rural development policies in Ecuador. © 2026 by the authors.
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The hierarchical scaffolding model of executive functioning in university students: a self-reported explanatory approach
(Frontiers Media SA, 2026-07-29)
Díaz-Guerra, Diego D.
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Hernández-Lugo, Marena de la C.
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Ramos-Galarza, Carlos
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Broche-Pérez, Yunier
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Arias Flores, Hugo Patricio
Introduction Executive functions are cognitive processes that are fundamental to academic success among university students. However, most explanatory models have been developed using laboratory-based tasks, which limits their ecological validity. Self-report measures offer a complementary approach by capturing perceived executive functioning in real academic contexts. Objective To construct and validate an explanatory model of executive functioning in Cuban university student Methods A cross-sectional sample of 1,233 students was analyzed (mean age = 20.08 years, SD = ±1.02; 59.3% women). The Cuban adaptation of the UEF-1 was administered. Analyses combined decision trees using the CHAID method to identify predictors and structural equation modeling (SEM) to confirm the relationships among variables and construct a unified model. Results The final model showed satisfactory fit (CFI = 0.915, RMSEA = 0.048, SRMR = 0.045). Executive functions were organized into four hierarchical levels: (1) Metacognitive Evaluation and Supervision, comprising Conscious Monitoring of Responsibilities and Behavioral Verification for Learning; (2) Emotional and Behavioral Regulation, comprising Conscious Regulation of Emotions and Conscious Regulation of Behavior; (3) the Operational Attentional System; and (4) Goal-Directed Action and Task Resolution, comprising Decision-Making and Management of Elements to Solve Tasks. Conclusion The proposed model constitutes the first unified explanatory framework of executive functioning in Cuban university students, specifically as assessed through self-report measures. Its four-level hierarchical structure provides an empirically grounded guide for future research and interventions, capturing the subjective dimension of executive performance as a complementary and ecologically relevant level of analysis closely tied to academic adaptation and self-regulation.
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Facebook as a learning node: a theoretical proposal of a private connectivist group for the collective construction of knowledge in higher education
(Frontiers Media SA, 2026-08-12)
Londoño Proaño, Cristián
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Galarza Galarza, Jeanneth Caroline
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Becerra García, Eulalia
Social networks have transformed the way young people relate to knowledge. The intended pedagogical use in higher education is still barely theorized. Our article proposes a theoretical design of a private Facebook group as a connectivist learning space for university students in the first levels of the Education career. The objective is to theoretically argue how a private Facebook group, structured under connectivist principles, can constitute an intentional learning node that favors the collective construction of knowledge about the role of the teacher in the digital age. Methodologically, we adopt a non-empirical approach, inscribed in the conceptual and theoretical tradition, which articulates the principles of connectivism of Siemens and Downes with the pedagogical possibilities of existing social networks. We include conceptual instructional design without reaching its empirical implementation. Our paper posits a closed, moderated space on a well-known social platform where students can reduce technological friction, activate authentic cognitive and relational connections. We conclude that the instructional design of the group is the determining condition for the emergence of connectivist learning and not the platform itself. © 2026 Londoño-Proaño, Galarza-G and Becerra García.
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Social Capital and Economic Growth: An Analysis in South America
(2025)
Núñez-Naranjo, Aracelly Fernanda
;
Ximena Morales-Urrutia
Social capital has emerged as a key variable in explaining regional economic disparities, yet its multidimensional nature complicates measurement and policy design. In the South American context, characterized by institutional fragility and inequality, the impact of social capital on economic growth remains empirically ambiguous. Methods This study employs a quantitative methodology using panel data from 2007 to 2023 across nine South American countries. Data is sourced from the Legatum Prosperity Index, focusing on five elements of social capital: family relationships, social networks, interpersonal trust, social tolerance, and civic participation. Econometric analysis is conducted using instrumental variables and two-stage least squares models to address endogeneity. Results The econometric findings reveal heterogeneous effects among dimensions of social capital. Civic participation and family relationships exhibit a significant positive association with economic growth, while social tolerance and interpersonal trust show negative or inconsistent impacts. Notably, social networks instrumentalized in the model have a negative and significant relationship with growth, suggesting potential inefficiencies in their current form. The presence of endogeneity and multicollinearity among variables highlights the complexity of causality in this domain. Conclusions Social capital plays a critical, yet context-dependent, role in fostering economic development in South America. While some dimensions such as civic engagement promote inclusive growth, others may reinforce exclusion or inefficiencies depending on institutional quality and social structure. Policymakers should therefore target specific aspects of social capital, promoting civic participation and inclusive networks while addressing institutional weaknesses. Future research should explore longitudinal dynamics and the interaction of social capital with digitalization and labor market transformation.
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Impact of Interactive Digital Environments: Literacy Development in Middle School
(Springer Nature Switzerland, 2026)
Núñez-Naranjo, Aracelly Fernanda
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Figueroa-Oquendo, Alfredo
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Pacheco-Chalen, Grace
This study examines the impact of interactive strategies supported by digital tools on the development of literacy skills in seventh-grade students in Basic Education. The objective is to determine whether the use of platforms such as Canva, Genially, Kahoot, and Google Docs enhances academic performance in reading comprehension and written expression. A quantitative methodology with a quasi-experimental design was applied, distinguishing between an experimental group that received a technological intervention and a control group that followed traditional methodologies. The results, validated through statistical tests, show significant improvements in the experimental group in terms of both academic achievement and motivation. The study concludes that the pedagogical integration of digital tools enhances autonomous, participatory, and meaningful learning, offering new perspectives for educational innovation in school settings. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
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El futuro oscuro latinoamericano en Angelus Hostis y Policía del Karma
(Universidad Andina Simon Bolivar, 2026-01-15)
Londoño Proaño, Cristián
Muchas obras de ciencia ficción en la literatura, el teatro, el cine, el cómic, la televisión y los videojuegos plantean diferentes futuros de Latinoamérica asociados a la realidad social y política y a las particularidades de cada subregión, pero existen creaciones que tienen puntos y cuestionamientos comunes. En el presente estudio se pretende analizar y comparar dos novelas gráficas: Angelus Hostis (2012), del escritor ecuatoriano Santiago Páez (historia) y Rafael Carrasco (dibujos), y Policía del Karma (2011), del escritor chileno Jorge Baradit (historia y gráficas) y Martín Cáceres (dibujo). Ambas obras de ciencia ficción, del subgénero cyberpunk, están transversalizadas por lo policial. Angelus Hostis es una historia intensa, oscura y conmovedora, surcada por los mitos, el sincronismo religioso y la tecnología. Mientras Policía del Karma es una historia oscura y desgarradora, que evidencia la violencia de las dictaduras latinoamericanas, y coloca elementos como el sincretismo religioso, el militarismo y el chamanismo. Las obras tienen diferencias marcadas, gracias a sus realidades sociales y propias de cada subregión, en el caso de Angelus Hostis es Cuenca en Ecuador, y en el de Policía del Karma es Santiago en Chile. A pesar de que los escenarios de ambas obras son distintos, las dos tienen hallazgos comunes sobre su visión del futuro latinoamericano y el cuestionamiento de la evolución humana en función de la tecnología, que podría resultar en pérdida plausible de la misma humanidad, acaso de las propias emociones.
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A Cyclical Action Research Approach to Active Learning in Data Structures
(IEEE, 2026-07)
Aguas-Bucheli, Luis
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Zapata, Mireya
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Acosta-Vargas, Patricia
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Ponce-Villacis, Paulina
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Amoroso-Garcés, Sylvia
The teaching of Data Structures in the Software Engineering program poses a fundamental challenge in the development of core algorithmic thinking and problem-solving skills. This article reports on an educational innovation experience implemented during the fourth semester of the program, which integrates Active Learning strategies with iterative Action Research cycles tailored to the specific demands of the subject. The pedagogical intervention is grounded in participatory and gamified methodologies, with a strong emphasis on professional practice and real-world application. By fostering student engagement through interactive problemsolving activities, code-based challenges, and collaborative learning environments, the experience aims to enhance both academic performance and the meaningful understanding of data structures. The results of the implementation revealed significant improvements in students' motivation, practical competencies, and their ability to apply data structures contextually to solve complex programming problem © 2026 IEEE.
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Social Capital and Economic Growth: An Analysis in South America
(2025)
Núñez-Naranjo, Aracelly Fernanda
;
Ximena Morales-Urrutia
Social capital has emerged as a key variable in explaining regional economic disparities, yet its multidimensional nature complicates measurement and policy design. In the South American context, characterized by institutional fragility and inequality, the impact of social capital on economic growth remains empirically ambiguous. Methods This study employs a quantitative methodology using panel data from 2007 to 2023 across nine South American countries. Data is sourced from the Legatum Prosperity Index, focusing on five elements of social capital: family relationships, social networks, interpersonal trust, social tolerance, and civic participation. Econometric analysis is conducted using instrumental variables and two-stage least squares models to address endogeneity. Results The econometric findings reveal heterogeneous effects among dimensions of social capital. Civic participation and family relationships exhibit a significant positive association with economic growth, while social tolerance and interpersonal trust show negative or inconsistent impacts. Notably, social networks instrumentalized in the model have a negative and significant relationship with growth, suggesting potential inefficiencies in their current form. The presence of endogeneity and multicollinearity among variables highlights the complexity of causality in this domain. Conclusions Social capital plays a critical, yet context-dependent, role in fostering economic development in South America. While some dimensions such as civic engagement promote inclusive growth, others may reinforce exclusion or inefficiencies depending on institutional quality and social structure. Policymakers should therefore target specific aspects of social capital, promoting civic participation and inclusive networks while addressing institutional weaknesses. Future research should explore longitudinal dynamics and the interaction of social capital with digitalization and labor market transformation.
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Bridging Two Worlds: Sensor Technologies and AI for Fruit Detection in Latin America and Beyond—A Scoping Review
(MDPI AG, 2026-08-10)
Parrales-Bravo, Franklin
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Gracia-Chinga, Joan
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Jadán Guerrero, Janio
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Vasquez-Cevallos, Leonel
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Cevallos-Torres, Lorenzo
This scoping review synthesizes 35 studies on sensor technologies and artificial intelligence for fruit detection, classification, and quality assessment, contrasting Latin American and international research traditions. The analysis suggests notable differences in technological approaches between the included Latin American and international studies: Latin American research tends to emphasize in developing accessible, practical solutions using classical computer vision and low-cost hardware, while international studies more frequently employ through deep learning architectures, multi-modal sensing, and complete robotic automation systems. Across the included studies, relatively limited attention was given to AI-assisted decision support for agricultural practitioners, insufficient consideration of inclusivity, and the scarce integration of environmental sustainability into intelligent sensing system design. The review identifies that only 8 of 35 studies originate from Latin America, suggesting an uneven geographical distribution of the available evidence. The included studies generally reported high accuracy values, yet these findings must be interpreted with caution given the reliance on curated datasets that may not represent real-world variability. The reviewed evidence suggests that future research may benefit not from one approach dominating the other, but from a thoughtful integration of complementary strategies, including knowledge transfer, edge computing democratization, and human-centered design. Overall, this review suggests that the ultimate goal extends beyond accuracy metrics to the transformation of agricultural practices that enhance food security, economic development, and environmental sustainability across the global agricultural landscape. It is important to note that this work does not propose or validate a new fruit detection algorithm but rather synthesizes and critically evaluates existing scientific evidence regarding sensor technologies and artificial intelligence applied to fruit detection and quality assessment. © 2026 by the authors.

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