AXIOMA

Gamificación: Uso del stash para mejorar el rendimiento académico

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 21:52:35 +0000

La integración de la tecnología en la educación se ha vuelto aún más crucial desde la irrupción del COVID-19 en 2020. La adaptación rápida al aprendizaje en línea presentó desafíos para docentes y estudiantes. La gamificación, aplicada en los entornos educativos para generar motivación en la enseñanza aprendizaje, mediante herramientas como el plugin "Stash" en Moodle, ha surgido como una estrategia efectiva para mejorar la participación y el compromiso estudiantil. Este estudio cuasi experimental analiza la implementación del "Stash" en el Instituto de Admisión y Nivelación (IAN), comparando el rendimiento de estudiantes de educación inicial y educación básica. Se utilizó la prueba t de Student para evaluar diferencias significativas entre los puntajes de prueba diagnóstica y final para validar la hipotesis. Los resultados muestran mejoras notables en el rendimiento de los estudiantes de educación inicial, indicando la efectividad de la gamificación. La combinación de tecnología educativa y gamificación ofrece una vía prometedora para mejorar el aprendizaje y el compromiso estudiantil.

Analysis of Biaxial Flexural-Compression Diagrams and Moment-Curvature Relationships for Reinforced Concrete Sections Using the Fiber Method

Marco Cevallos Rosales — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 21:43:27 +0000

The design of structural columns and walls subjected to axial loads and bending moments is a complex process prone to errors. To address these challenges, programmable numerical methods have been implemented using commercial programming languages. This study aims to analyze the flexural-compression behavior of reinforced concrete sections through the fiber method. Computational simulations were conducted using MATLAB, incorporating Mander's stress-strain curves for concrete and Park's model for steel, as well as simplified models such as the bilinear steel model and Whitney’s rectangular stress block for concrete. The results demonstrate that advanced material constitutive models more accurately represent the actual behavior of reinforced concrete sections compared to simplified design models.

Constitutional supremacy and human rights: a look at the prison crisis in Ecuador.

Johanna Elizabeth Jiménez Torres, Juan José Bernal Brito — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 22:01:24 +0000

The Ecuadorian penitentiary system is not a new phenomenon; its growth has been gradual and accelerated due to various factors such as prison massacres, extortion, organized crime, unqualified personnel, corruption in the judicial system and a punitive ideology juxtaposed to penal guaranties. The hypothesis is that punitive power has been limited to the deprivation of liberty, based on regressive reforms that violate the human rights of persons deprived of liberty. The objective of this research is to analyze in a critical and descriptive way the relationship between penal guaranty, constitutional supremacy and the Ecuadorian prison crisis. The theoretical framework is composed of criminal law theory. The methodology used is qualitative.

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Pablo Dávila Oña — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 22:04:18 +0000

Nowadays, the world we live in is experiencing changes at an alarming pace, and with that, knowledge is expanding in ways never before imagined. This is made possible by technological tools that were once thought to be far from reality but are now present in classrooms. This brings countless opportunities for teachers, students, and everyone involved in the educational system, making innovation in education an everyday reality and turning the use of ICT into the central axis of that innovation. Considering the above, is Latin America part of this global educational innovation? Has Latin America historically had the capacity to properly use ICT in education? This bibliographic review study concludes that while educational innovation is ever-changing and even difficult to define due to the speed at which it evolves, Latin America has not had an excellent outlook in this area. Over the years, integrating ICT into education has been a challenge, until a sudden 180-degree shift occurred with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, where the use of ICT became a necessity, bringing with it a wave of difficult challenges for all Latin American countries. Although it is true that, since the pandemic, ICT usage has become essential for providing an efficient education, today, after overcoming the health emergency, technology has become an irreplaceable part of education. However, there are authors who advocate for its use and others who argue that it should be employed cautiously due to potential negative repercussions for both students and teachers.

Effects of landscape interaction (area and connectivity) on the presence and abundance of Gonipterus spp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and its parasitoid Anaphes nitens (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae)

LUCÍA VERÓNICA SUQUILLO ROMERO — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Habitat fragmentation influences the distribution and abundance of insects, affecting both pest species and their natural enemies. Reduction in habitat area and loss of connectivity can modify these ecological interactions, although their effect on Gonipterus spp. and its parasitoid Anaphes nitens has not been sufficiently studied. This study aims to determine the effect of landscape interaction (area and connectivity) on the presence and abundance of Gonipterus spp. and A. nitens in fragmented semi-natural landscapes of Pichincha Province, Ecuador.

15 sites were selected along the Andes Mountains, covering a total of 359.78 ha, with an area gradient (0.31–71.22 ha) and a variable connectivity index (1.08–13.36). Habitat area was quantified by digitization in QGIS 3.22.5, and connectivity was calculated using the equation described by Hanski in R Studio 4.4.2, considering the dispersion of Gonipterus spp. Sampling was carried out manually at 20 points per site, collecting adults, larvae and oothecas of Gonipterus spp. in young eucalyptus shoots. The samples were transferred to the laboratory to record the emergence of parasitoids and determine their abundance.

The binomial, Poisson and negative binomial distribution models showed that neither area nor connectivity interact significantly with the presence of the species; however, both factors were statistically significant for the abundance of Gonipterus spp. and A. nitens. When breaking down the abundance of Gonipterus spp. in larvae and adults, a significant interaction between area and connectivity (p = 0.016) was found only in the adult stage. These results are relevant for the management of Gonipterus spp., especially in ecosystems dominated by eucalyptus monocultures.

Habitat fragmentation influences the distribution and abundance of insects, affecting both pest species and their natural enemies. Reduction in habitat area and loss of connectivity can modify these ecological interactions, although their effect on Gonipterus spp. and its parasitoid Anaphes nitens has not been sufficiently studied. This study aims to determine the effect of landscape interactions (area and connectivity) on the presence and abundance of Gonipterus spp. and A. nitens in fragmented semi-natural landscapes in Pichincha Province, Ecuador.

Fifteen sites were selected along the Andes Mountains, covering a total of 359.78 ha, with an area gradient (0.31–71.22 ha) and a variable connectivity index (1.08–13.36 ha). The habitat area was quantified by digitizing in QGIS 3.22.5, and connectivity was calculated using the equation described by Hanski in R Studio 4.4.2, considering the dispersal of Gonipterus spp. Sampling was conducted manually at 20 points per site, collecting adults, larvae, and oothecae of Gonipterus spp. from young eucalyptus shoots. The samples were taken to the laboratory to record parasitoid emergence and determine their abundance.

Binomial, Poisson, and negative binomial distribution models showed that neither area nor connectivity interacted significantly with species presence; however, both factors were statistically significant for the abundance of Gonipterus spp. and A. nitens. When Gonipterus spp. abundance was broken down into larvae and adults, a significant interaction between area and connectivity (p = 0.016) was found only in the adult stage. These results are relevant for the management of Gonipterus spp., especially in ecosystems dominated by eucalyptus monocultures.

Software Engineering to Automate Processes in Low-Budget Decentralized Autonomous Governments

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 22:16:04 +0000

The digital transformation of local governments in Ecuador, particularly those with limited budgets and medium or small-scale structures, faces significant challenges such as outdated administrative processes, resistance to change, and technological dependence. This research aimed to design and implement an automated revenue management system tailored to the specific needs of the Lago Agrio municipal government. The primary objective was to improve process efficiency, ensure public financial transparency, and increase taxpayer satisfaction. The study employed an applied and descriptive research approach, using the Extreme Programming (XP) methodology. A total of 29 municipal employees from strategic departments—such as revenues, collections, treasury, water services, property valuation, and planning—participated in the iterative development process. The implementation was carried out using free and open-source software tools, with a strong focus on autonomy and sustainability. As a result, key municipal procedures experienced radical improvements: registration of municipal licenses, which previously took up to five months, was reduced to just two days; overdue account monitoring was shortened from months to minutes; and water billing operations reached 95% recovery efficiency with real-time control. Furthermore, user service time decreased from an average of 25 minutes to just one minute, significantly improving the citizen experience. The study concludes that agile software engineering methodologies, when applied in close collaboration with public sector actors and supported by appropriate technological tools, can transform public administration at the local level. These results are scalable and can serve as a model for other decentralized autonomous governments across the region, contributing to greater transparency, efficiency, and digital sovereignty.

From culinary heritage to tourist attraction: designing a gastronomic route in Ibarra

Francisco Vaca — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 22:25:48 +0000

Gastronomic tourism has established itself as an important strategy for promoting cultural heritage and strengthening local tourism development. In the canton of Ibarra, province of Imbabura, Ecuador, this potential has not been fully exploited due to the limited development of specialized tourism products that integrate the local gastronomic identity. The objective of this research is to analyze the current state of gastronomic tourism in the canton of Ibarra and its impact on local tourism development. The methodology applied is a qualitative-descriptive approach, supported by techniques such as participatory observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentary analysis. The results show weak coordination between actors in the tourism and gastronomic sectors, as well as insufficient promotion of traditional culinary knowledge and practices. It is concluded that strengthening gastronomic tourism through planning strategies, training, and the design of specialized tourism products can contribute significantly to economic revitalization, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the improvement of tourism competitiveness in the canton of Ibarra.

REBRANDING AND TOURIST SOUVENIRS AS A POSITIONING STRATEGY IN ANDEAN COMMUNITY TOURISM: THE PAKARINA FAMILY LODGING CASE

Luis Valencia Obando, Yarina Anrango Morales — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Kichwa community of Turuku, Cotacachi canton, Imbabura province, Ecuador—an area with high cultural and tourism potential but limited positioning strategies. The objective of the study was to design a rebranding proposal and develop tourism souvenirs aimed at strengthening visual identity, improving visibility, and enhancing market positioning. A mixed, descriptive–propositional approach was employed, using visitor surveys, interviews with community managers, local residents, and tourism stakeholders, as well as direct observation. The results revealed significant weaknesses in visual identity, lack of a defined brand, and limited promotional elements, despite high visitor satisfaction with the services provided. Additionally, a strong interest in culturally identified souvenirs, particularly gastronomic and artisanal products, was identified. Based on these findings, a comprehensive brand redesign under the name PAKARINA Hospedaje Familiar was proposed, including a basic brand manual and a line of souvenirs inspired by symbolic elements of the community, such as Mama Cotacachi. The study concludes that strengthening visual identity and incorporating culturally meaningful souvenirs are effective strategies to improve tourism positioning and generate positive impacts on the community economy, aligned with the principles of community-based and intercultural tourism.

Technologies for environmental education and livelihoods among young farmers: An analysis with a gender focus.

Biviana N Heredia — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 22:31:59 +0000

Las transformaciones digitales han reconfigurado los sistemas educativos y los medios de vida rurales, generando nuevas oportunidades pero también profundizando desigualdades preexistentes. Los objetivos planteados fueron: i) explorar la relación entre características sociodemográficas, nivel educativo y acceso a información ambiental según el genero de jóvenes campesinos; y ii) identificar las brechas de acceso a tecnologías digitales y conectividad educativa según el genero y su vinculación con oportunidades educativas y los medios de vida de los jóvenes campesinos. Se realizaron 69 encuestas estructuradas presenciales digitales a jóvenes campesinos en la zona agrícola de la isla Santa Cruz, para la recopilación de los datos se utilizó la plataforma Kobotoolbox, las pruebas estadísticas empleadas fueron U de Mann-Whitne y Chi-cuadrado de Pearson (X²). La edad de los jóvenes campesinos presento diferencias estadísticamente significantes entre mujeres y hombres (p< 0,05). No se existieron diferencias significativas según el género en la étnica, el tamaño del hogar, el acceso a información ambiental ni disponibilidad de servicios de salud. Ademas el acceso a internet en el hogar, la disponibilidad de dispositivos digitales, como las condiciones de conectividad educativa e infraestructura tecnológica en las instituciones presentan patrones similares entre ambos géneros. Se identificaron limitaciones estructurales compartidas, relacionadas con la calidad de la conectividad, disponibilidad de dispositivos y las condiciones del entorno educativo, que pueden incidir negativamente en las oportunidades educativas y en la consolidación d ellos medios de vida sostenibles. El estudio aporta evidencia empírica relevante para contextos insulares rurales, subrayando la necesidad de políticas integrales que fortalezcan la educación de calidad y la inclusión digital juvenil desde un enfoque territorial y de equidad.