Innovative Technological Tools Research Articles

Photoeducation strategy through emerging technologies

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation, added to the large amount of time that children spend exposed to the sun, causes lesions on their skin, significantly increasing the risk of suffering from skin cancer or melanoma in adulthood; Emerging technologies, such as mobile apps and UV-sensitive bracelets, offer practical and effective solutions to address the lack of knowledge and awareness about the risks of sun exposure, transforming the way we learn and engage with the world. particularly preschoolers.Objective: propose an educational strategy through emerging technology with the integration of AI in health education programs, aimed at children under 5 years of age. Methodology: a qualitative, ethnographic study was carried out, with the participation of 13 caregivers, 1 teacher, considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data were processed manually for exhaustive knowledge and meticulous review that can guide a complete and accurate interpretation of the participants' experiences. Results and conclusion: the study highlights the need for comprehensive and preventive education in photoprotection, using innovative technological tools to reach both children and their parents and teachers. Emerging technologies, such as mobile apps and UV-sensitive bracelets, offer practical and effective solutions to the risks of sun exposure. However, for this strategy to be effective, it is essential that it be implemented in an educational environment that supports and reinforces its use.

Интеллектуальная обработка текстовой информации: обзор автоматизированных методов суммаризации

Interest in innovative technological strategies and modern digital tools has increased significantly due to the need to manage large amounts of unstructured data. This paper reviews current paradigms and services for automated summarization, developed based on interdisciplinary research in linguistics, computer technologies, and artificial intelligence. It focuses on syntactic and lexical techniques employed by neural network models for text compression. The paper presents performance examples of such AI-powered services as QuillBot, Summate.it, WordTune, SciSummary, Scholarcy, and OpenAI ChatGPT. The contemporary automated models proved effective in using extractive and abstractive methods to generate summaries of varying quality and length. The extractive approach relies on identifying the most significant sentences from the original text, while abstractive algorithms create new sentence structures that preserve the main idea of the original content. Automated summarizers effectively utilize text compression techniques that are inherent to human approach to text processing, e.g., they exclude redundant information, simplify complex structures, and generalize data. These technologies provide high accuracy and coherence in the generated summaries, though each summarization model has its limitations. Optimal results depend on the specifics of the task at hand: extractive models provide brevity and precision while abstractive ones allow for deeper semantic processing. Automated summarization is becoming an important tool in various fields that require effective analysis and processing of large text data.

Every voice counts – Embedding the principles of Universal Design for Learning into higher education online course design

University classrooms are diverse settings. With online courses becoming increasingly more common instructors in post-secondary institutions must create inclusive learning environments that meet the needs of adult learners with exceptionalities. Goldberg et al. (2003) asserted that innovative technological tools can be used to promote student engagement, motivation, and enhance the quality of learning for students with disabilities. One such tool is the Voice Thread which can be thoughtfully and intentionally incorporated into the course design phase. Friedman and Lee (2009) contend that using visual images to present content is a necessary pedagogical strategy and provides an opportunity to reduce visual clutter. Making content visual and auditory rather than exclusively in print is a Universal Design for Learning strategy that makes the information more accessible to all students not just those who struggle with reading. Hampton and Mason (2003) reminded us that many students with learning disabilities require additional time to formulate their thoughts to make meaningful contributions to an online discussion. The features of the program offer a comfortable way for students to share their knowledge and understanding, analytical skills and personal reflections related to a particular concept. Offering a choice in the response format allows students to utilize their strengths and concentrate more fully on demonstrating their learning. Fostering an inclusive learning environment using innovative technologies, such as Voice Thread, offers online instructors a meaningful way to adopt inclusive approaches to curriculum and assessment. Pre-existing structures such as the Community of Practice (Lave & Wenger, 1991) provide inclusive leaders the opportunity to share these innovations with colleagues and ensure that every voice counts.

Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Education to Support Older Adults with Diabetic Foot Ulcers to Age-in-Place: A Case Series.

The objective of this article is to demonstrate the added value of foot care provided by an RN with foot care training to older adults in their home by focusing on four older adults with diabetic foot ulcers. The RN used a mobile multispectral near-infrared spectroscopy device to enhance the assessment of the diabetic foot ulcers. The Mobile Seniors Wellness Network methodically engaged with English-speaking adults 55 years and older living within a 90-minute radius of the city's community health center. Older adults were referred to the research project through various sources. The participation group included 366 participants with varying holistic healthcare concerns and financial stressors that impacted their ability to age well in place. Over the course of visits by the RN and registered social worker, positive outcomes were facilitated through the collaboration of the participant and the multidisciplinary team, thus enhancing the individual's confidence to remain at home longer. In a time of ongoing provincial health crisis, it may be cost-effective to provide in-home support to those who want to age well in their communities by deploying a Mobile Seniors Wellness Network system throughout the province and enhancing the RN's assessment of feet with a portable and innovative technology tool.

Impact of Nutrition Education on Various Health-Related Components of Hemodialysis Patients: A Systematic Review.

This study aimed to identify the impact of nutrition education on various health-related components of hemodialysis patients. A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Relevant literature published between 2013 and 2023 was identified across two databases (PubMed and Science Direct). The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023460681). Two independent reviewers retrieved the data, and 41 studies were selected. Nine components related to the impact of nutrition education in hemodialysis patients were identified. Each component was clarified by mentioning each study and its results. This study enabled us to characterize the various components of the impact of nutritional education in hemodialysis patients, namely biological markers, quality of life, cost of care, adherence to dietary recommendations, knowledge, malnutrition inflammation, dietary intake, weight change, and behavior change. This systematic review enables healthcare providers to assess the impact of nutritional education on hemodialysis patients. Also, it gives professionals an exact idea of the impact of nutrition education on hemodialysis patients, with knowledge of new methods using behavior change theories and innovative technological tools.

Voices from the Classroom: Students’ Perceptions of Gamified Technology and Paper-Based Methods for Tourism Vocabulary Retention

Gamified technology presents a promising avenue for educators to create dynamic and interactive language learning environments. This qualitative study explores students’ perceptions of gamified technology and paper-based methods for tourism vocabulary retention in a private university setting. Through interviews with six students, two overarching themes emerged: engagement and efficacy. Under the theme of engagement, sub-themes included competing students in learning and the level of interactivity among students. Meanwhile, within the theme of efficacy, sub-themes focused on vocabulary retention and student comprehension. The findings underscore the importance of considering students' preferences and perceptions in language learning strategies, particularly in integrating innovative technological tools to enhance engagement and efficacy. Educators are encouraged to leverage gamified technology while also adapting teaching approaches to suit students' needs effectively. Ongoing research and evaluation of gamified technology in language learning contexts can provide valuable insights into its effectiveness and areas for improvement.

Cardiac Coherence and the Effectiveness of Cardiovascular Biofeedback in the Nursing Team: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: Through guided and conscious deep breathing, cardiovascular biofeedback, an innovative technological tool that enables improved cardiac coherence and activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which are vital for recovering and maintaining homeostasis and psycho-emotional health. Objective: To verify the effect of cardiovascular biofeedback on heart rate variability parameters in nursing professionals. Materials and Methods: This is a randomized clinical trial conducted in two groups — biofeedback and placebo — with 115 nursing professionals working in clinical and surgical inpatient units at a university hospital, who presented an overall stress level higher than 1, according to the Stress Symptom Scale. The groups participated in nine appointments over three weeks. The outcome was assessed by rMSSD parameters and cardiac coherence at the end of each appointment, which were measured using EmWave Pro Plus®, which uses photoplethysmography to quantify physiological data related to the heartbeat. The analysis was performed using generalized estimation equations, considering α = 5 %. Results: There was a significant time-group interaction in cardiac coherence parameters; the intervention group presented an increase in the mean cardiac coherence parameters at all measurement times, when compared to the control group (p < 0.001; r > 0.98). There was no significant time-group interaction in the rMSSD parameters at any of the measurement times (p = 0.432). As a mind-body therapy, cardiovascular biofeedback proved to be useful and promising. By promoting parasympathetic activation and relaxation, it is possible to prevent the deleterious effects associated with occupational stressors. Conclusion: The intervention with cardiovascular biofeedback proved to be superior to placebo in improving cardiac coherence, resulting in the recovery of the body’s homeostasis.

Robic Socially Assistive Robot Enables Upper Extremity Endurance Training in Spinal Cord Injured Children

Robic's platform emerges as an innovative technological tool demonstrating adequate usability and also a good user experience in an upper limb training program for PedSCI patients. Future developments, incorporating eye-tracking strategies would help determine the engagement with the proposed task

Biopiezoelectromagnetic and mechanical effect

The study of the functional living organism through biological phenomena and their piezoelectric and electromagnetic interaction of particles and energy in the functional cells of organ systems that sustain life through homeostasis, and their relationship with the external environment, can be observed as a unique effect called the biopiezoelectromagnetic effect. Research in sciences, combined with the use of innovative technological tools and instruments at scales ranging from the subatomic to the astrophysical, have made it possible to observe, through these individual or combined effects, a phenomenon that is repeated in all structures: the conservation of elemental information. This approach makes it possible to research from the particle to the functional living organism in its environment and vice versa. It is possible to propose theories that link energy, particles and cells and their organised structural complexes within the same framework, analysing the biopiezoelectromagnetic effect and the constant effort to maintain the homeostasis of living organisms in an entropic environment. Biomaterials composed of crystals and quasicrystals promote the piezoelectric effect in living tissue-biomaterial contact. The piezoelectric effect is already known to stimulate and form a fibrocartilaginous bone callus and its subsequent hardening into mature bone but has never been directly associated with homeostasis, osseointegrated implants and biomaterial bonding. The synthesis described by evidence-based experiments over the past centuries is robust to describe the biopiezoelectromagnetic effect as a cascade of events in the functional living organism to maintain homeostasis and its binding properties as the basis of osseointegration and the foundation of biocompatibility.

Achieving Net Zero Condominiums through Energy Community Sharing

The European energy transition process is geared toward improving the economic viability of the energy sector through its democratization, which includes enabling citizens to generate, share, and sell energy produced by renewable sources. The current directives have led to the creation of energy communities and collective self-consumption groups to engage and raise awareness among citizens, with the goal of achieving social, economic, and environmental benefits through shared renewable energy generation and consumption. In the near future, more and more of these initiatives are anticipated; therefore, innovative technological tools are necessary to assist their growth path. This research introduces a multi-criteria techno-economic simulation framework that enables the evaluation of several investment scenarios for various plant sizes and energy prices. The findings are useful during the investment planning phase as they help guide decision-making toward the objectives of economic, energy, and environmental sustainability. To evaluate the methodology, a case study of a collective self-consumption group located in a smart building in Italy is proposed. The results are discussed from statistical, technical, economic, and financial standpoints, demonstrating how the proposed approach can contribute to the development of collective self-consumption groups, risk hedging, and the goal of developing energy self-sufficiency based on the net-zero energy building concept.

Technology-Based Future Science Education: Axiological Philosophy in the Framework of Bibliometric Analysis

Science education is crucial in developing our understanding of the natural world and enhancing knowledge growth. With rapid advancements in information and communication technology, there is a unique opportunity to transform science education into a more interactive, inclusive, and relevant discipline. However, this evolution prompts philosophical questions, especially concerning axiology—the study of the value and impact of technology on the future of science education. This research explores the axiological aspects of technology integration in science education through a bibliometric analysis, focusing on how technology-based methods can enrich science learning. A comprehensive literature review reveals that technology is crucial in making science education more accessible, motivating students, facilitating the acquisition of new skills, fostering critical thinking, and boosting student engagement. It highlights the value of incorporating technology into educational practices and how it aligns with axiological considerations in science education. The findings emphasize the need for a deeper philosophical understanding of technology's role in science education to ensure its ongoing relevance and effectiveness. Looking forward, the integration of technology in science learning promises to advance our knowledge and suggests a fertile area for future research, emphasizing the exploration of innovative technological tools that can further enhance science education for all students.

Assessment of the level of knowledge on artificial intelligence in a sample of university professors: A descriptive study

Introduction: The knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI) by university professors provides them with the ability to effectively integrate these innovative technological tools, resulting in a significant improvement in the quality of the teaching and learning process.Objective: To assess the level of knowledge about AI in a sample of Peruvian university professors.Methods: Quantitative study, non-experimental design and descriptive cross-sectional type. The sample consisted of 55 university professors of both sexes who were administered a questionnaire to assess their level of knowledge about AI, which had adequate metric properties.Results: The level of knowledge about AI was low for 41.8% of professors, regular for 40%, and high for 18.2%. This indicates that there is a significant gap in the knowledge of university professors about AI and its application in education, which could limit their ability to fully leverage AI tools and applications in the educational environment and could affect the quality and effectiveness of teaching. Likewise, it was determined that age and self-perception of digital competencies of professors were significantly associated with their level of knowledge about AI (p<0.05).Conclusions: Peruvian university professors are characterized by presenting a low level of knowledge about AI. Therefore, it is recommended to implement training and professional development programs focused on artificial intelligence, in order to update and improve their skills in this field

Professional Development Progress of Rural Aesthetic Education Teachers in China —Visual Analysis Based on CiteSpace

Rural teachers are a crucial driving force behind the development of China's rural education, and their professional development has a direct impact on its progress. However, there exist significant challenges that hinder the development of rural aesthetic education, including a shortage of qualified teachers and low-quality instruction. This paper analyzes the current state of rural aesthetic education teacher professional development in China based on papers published in CNKI database core journals from 2012 to 2022. The results indicate that while research on rural teachers' professional development has shown steady growth in terms of volume, it has yet to develop into a comprehensive research system. Moving forward, future studies should focus on addressing the deep-seated issues facing rural teachers' professional development using innovative technological tools, as well as exploring new methods for conducting research on this topic.

Virtual Learning and Assessment in Rheumatology Fellowship Training: Objective Structured Clinical Examination Revisited.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, an annual multi-institutional face-to-face rheumatology objective structured clinical examination (ROSCE) was transformed into a virtual format. The educational goals of the virtual ROSCE (vROSCE) were to reproduce the educational value of the previous in-person ROSCE, providing a valuable formative assessment of rheumatology training activities encompassing the 6 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competencies for fellows-in-training (FITs). This article describes the novel design, feasibility, and stakeholder value of a vROSCE. Through an established collaboration of 5 rheumatology fellowship training programs, in February 2021, a vROSCE was created and conducted using a Zoom platform. Station development included learning objectives, FIT instructions, faculty proctor instructions, and a checklist by which to provide structured formative feedback. An anonymous, optional web-based survey was sent to FIT participants to evaluate the experience. Twenty-three rheumatology FITs from 5 institutions successfully rotated through 6 stations in the vROSCE. Immediate feedback was given to each FIT using standardized rubrics structured around ACGME core competencies. A total of 65% of FITs (15 of 23) responded to the survey, and 93% of survey respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the vROSCE was a helpful educational activity and identified individualized opportunities for improvement. A vROSCE is an innovative, feasible, valuable, and well-received educational technology tool. The vROSCE enriched rheumatology FITs' education and offered collaborative learning experiences across institutions.

THE MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AI IN THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM IN ISRAEL

This article reviews how Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are implemented and reshaping the education system in Israel. In many ways Education and AI are intertwined. Education is used as a means to develop minds capable of expanding and leveraging the pool of knowledge, while AI provides tools to develop a more accurate and detailed picture of how the human brain works. By leveraging the best features of machines and teachers, the vision for AI in education is one where AI and teachers work together to achieve the best outcome for students. Since today’s students will have to work in a future where AI is a reality, it is important that our educational institutions expose students to the technology and train them how to use it. The idea behind managing and implementing AI is to strengthen student-centred and self-regulated learning and promote the development of students’ information management and problem-solving skills. The study investigates how teachers, school ICT coordinators, principals, and parents deal with the implantation of AI in education, how they use innovative technological tools, and how do they cope with the challenges facing students. In order to be able to integrate AI elements, teachers from the school receive a training course in a coordinated manner. In addition, implementing AI requires schools to assign instructors, who as teachers, hold weekly meetings on digital skills, and each school has a school ICT coordinator and leading teachers on the subject. The role of the principal in this project is to coordinate between the schools and Ministry of Education that supervises how schools implement the project.

Use of an e-toolkit in the development of digital competencies in Weeks of International Teaching

Numerous scholars have emphasized the advantages of travelling abroad to enhance one's skills. Nevertheless, the pandemic has revealed the immense importance of digital skills in every aspect of our current information-based society. There is an increased demand for both physical and digital workplaces. As a result, universities must modify their educational programs to meet the requirements of employers and equip their students with the abilities and proficiencies essential to navigate this new era of the hybrid work environment. In this study, we focused on developing digital competence levels of international students and teachers during an International Week event using an e-toolkit and their acceptance of that digital tool following a mixed-method approach. Our results showed significant improvement in some dimensions of their digital competencies associated with digital content creation and problem-solving. Additionally, valuable results were shown regarding participants' perceptions of the e-toolkit's usefulness and ease of use. This study facilitates the potential international experiences can have on the digital competencies of both students and teachers with the use of innovative technological tools and the need for generalization on a larger scale and implementation of a more in-depth assessment.

Augmented Reality for Quechua Language Teaching-Learning: A Systematic Review

As time goes by, it is evident that technology advances, Augmented Reality (AR) is an innovative technological tool that has emerged and has been highly attractive to users, allowing sharing information in a dynamic and realistic way. In the present systematic literature review (SLR), a search was conducted for manuscripts published in 6 databases between the years 2017 to 2022, related to the implementation of AR to improve the teaching-learning (TL) process of the Quechua language, which were analyzed and systematized using the prism methodology, obtaining as a result 56 manuscripts that supported to answer the research questions, where the various factors that allow improving the TL process of the Quechua language and the various benefits generated by its implementation were identified. It is concluded that, according to the results, the application of RA in the TL of the Quechua language is an efficient and productive tool; however, it can also be a source of distraction in the study, so it is necessary to have a good management of this methodology and of the study environment to obtain better achievements. For this reason, a model is proposed to serve as a basis for the proper management in the implementation of RA to improve the process of Quechua language TL.

The Integration of Augmented Reality (AR) in Education

New teaching techniques have been adopted as a result of the emergence of innovative technological tools in the field of Augmented Reality (AR), as investigated in several articles to date (Hsu 2017; Forsythe & Raine 2019). The availability of AR applications, both vision, and location-based, allows students today to learn foreign languages in a more contextualized and immersive manner, thanks to the use of smartphones and other electronic devices. Thus, this study seeks to analyze and review the recent trends in AR implementation in education and to present the main projects aimed at teaching with AR-based projects that have been published in the latest years in WOS and Scopus.

Student support and motivation in online learning: evidence from pilot online course implementation

Teaching and learning in a virtual environment bring many changes in the implementation of study content. During online learning, the number of hours of contact learning between the lecturer and students decreases, more attention is paid to students’ self-study. Students lose the opportunity to receive informal emotional support from the academic staff and fellow students, and the sense of community and belonging to a higher education institution decreases. The research presented in the article aims to reveal students’ opinions about students’ support and their motivation during online studies while implementing a pilot online-taught study course. The research was conducted under the Erasmus+ project “Quality of Virtual Studies”. Students from four higher education institutions in Lithuania, Spain, Croatia, and Finland participated in implementing the pilot online learning course. Study courses taught remotely were designed based on the quality assurance criteria for virtual studies developed during the project. Students studied the pilot online-taught study course for three months. They completed questionnaires about their online learning experience twice: before and after they started participating in the course. The study results reveal that the most important source of support for students during online studies is communication with the lecturer. It was established that most students’ support during remote studies is provided by the following means: personal video or email from the lecturer, clear structure of the course studied remotely, clear procedures of the study course, and pre-announced hours of remote consultations with the lecturer. The study reveals that students are most motivated during online studies by receiving feedback from the lecturer, the interest of the academic staff in students’ motivation and motivational tools, a clear study plan of the course studied, the variety of innovative computer technology tools used during online studies, and the contribution of the lecturer, promoting cooperation between learners.

Emerging industry 4.0 and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in the Ghanaian construction industry: sustainability, implementation challenges, and benefits

Future construction projects will need the implementation of industry 4.0 and Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies. The construction sector has, however, falling behind other industries in the application of these technologies and is currently facing considerable challenges. One of the industries that lag behind in the use of new innovative technological tools is the construction industry. This study reviews the research work in industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things as they relate to construction and examines key Ghana-based construction professionals and firms to ascertain their level of understanding of these emerging innovative technologies, including the challenges and benefits associated with their implementation. An extensive review of pertinent literature was done to help identify the important paradigms and variables which were cautiously tested. Adopting a quantitative research approach, the attained variables were used to design into a close-ended questionnaire. The sample frame was a survey of people from 154 construction experts and researchers with good standing by using the purposive sampling. Relative importance index (RII) analysis was used to analyzed the data. It was discovered from the findings that smart construction was the most popular industry 4.0 technology in the Ghanaian construction industry. The most important benefit of these technologies is that they will add sustainable policy requirements to tendering, with the most pressing technology being the lack of talent and skills in using industry 4.0 and IoT technologies. The scope of this research is based on the questionnaire survey, proving a sustainable pathway to the construction industry community, which creates its own significance by including key stakeholders and those affected by these technologies.