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The probability of changing preferences for study modalities was evaluated based on the experience of distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic among students of Marketing at a university in the Ecuadorian Andes. The analysis was based on the application of a questionnaire concerning factors associated with institutional conditions, as well as personal factors. Based on the data, the probability of changing the mode of study was estimated using a discrete choice model (logit-probit). The selection of the most appropriate model was based on the correct classification of the data (confusion matrix). The results show that certain aspects of personal satisfaction (physical space, dedication, time, commitment, content assimilation), Internet connection and flexibility of study plans are statistically significant. Student satisfaction with pedagogical planning, virtual platform, communication with teacher, virtual tutoring process, autonomous learning, teaching methodology, virtual classroom materials, complementary materials, evaluation process, variety of evaluation instruments and resolution of doubts do not generate changes in preferences. Therefore, the institution could promote this modality of studies by offering scheduling facilities and greater flexibility in the curriculum.

Reasoning for complexity is a fundamental competency in these complex times for solutions to social problems and decision-making. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the validity and reliability of the eComplexity instrument by presenting its psychometric properties. The instrument consists of a Likert-type scale questionnaire designed to measure college students' perceptions of their mastery levels of complex reasoning competency as well as the subcompetencies that comprise it. The instrument was applied to higher education students in different countries of Latin America and Spain. The questionnaire articulates four types of thinking: systemic, scientific, critical and innovative and consists of 25 items. The methodology used was instrumental and psychometric, which seeks to demonstrate the validity and reliability of the eComplexity questionnaire. The results obtained from the research were as follows: The exploratory factor analysis indicated a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin index (KMO) > 0.80, a significance of p< 0.05 and a Cronbach's Alpha value of 0.93. Likewise, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis was carried out and was possible to corroborate the internal structure validity of the instrument. In addition to Cronbach's Alpha coefficient, McDonald's Omega, and Guttman's Lambda coefficients were calculated to calculate reliability. With the results obtained it was possible to conclude that the instrument is valid and reliable, can be used in various university contexts to support integrated training necessary to address current challenges and contribute to educational research. It is recommended for future studies that the research can be expanded by using an instrument that can move from perceptual terms to measuring levels of complex reasoning mastery, but it is valuable to contrast with the students' perception to have a broader vision.

This case study examines the experience of Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar (UASB-E), a traditionally face-to-face institution in Ecuador, as it transitioned to online learning during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on data from interviews, surveys, and document analysis, the study explores the challenges and opportunities associated with this rapid shift, offering insights for rethinking and redesigning higher education in the post-pandemic world. Prior to the pandemic, UASB-E primarily relied on face-to-face teaching with limited use of its virtual learning environment. In response to the crisis, the university quickly mobilized to migrate its entire educational offering online, initially adopting an emergency remote teaching approach focused on synchronous videoconferencing. However, student preferences and the need for a sustainable solution prompted UASB-E to rethink its online learning model. The study identifies six key dimensions of UASB-E's improvement in its capacity to deliver online education: (1) Technological Infrastructure and Digital Processes: Enhanced technological infrastructure and streamlined digital processes in management, administration, and academics, laying the foundation for a robust online learning environment. (2) Pedagogical Innovation: Recognizing the limitations of replicating face-to-face teaching online, UASB-E embraced activity-based instructional design, asynchronous online education, and collaborative learning strategies, promoting deeper engagement and personalized learning experiences. (3) Accessibility and Inclusivity: By leveraging the flexibility of online learning, UASB-E expanded its reach beyond its physical campus, reaching students across Ecuador who might not have otherwise accessed higher education, demonstrating the potential of online learning to democratize access to quality education. (4) Programme Diversification: Beyond emergency measures, UASB-E is strategically diversifying its academic offerings, developing new face-to-face, blended, and fully online programmes, allowing for flexibility and catering to diverse student needs and learning preferences. (5) Faculty Training and Development: Implemented a comprehensive training programme focusing on both the instrumental skills of managing online platforms and the pedagogical aspects of designing engaging and effective online learning experiences. (6) Assessment and Feedback: The study highlights the need for a more reflective and analytical approach to assessment and feedback in online environments, with efforts to improve feedback timeliness, individual support, and communication providing valuable lessons for other institutions. Beyond UASB-E's specific experience, the study emphasizes the importance of collaboration and cross-sectoral strategies in building resilient and comprehensive education systems for the future. It also underscores the need for new approaches to learning ecologies that leverage technology effectively while ensuring equitable, inclusive, and high-quality education for all. This case study offers valuable insights for higher education institutions navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of online learning. By understanding the challenges and opportunities that emerged from UASBE's experience, other institutions can make informed decisions about their own online learning strategies and contribute to shaping a more resilient and flexible future for higher education.

The present study investigates the students' perceptions of applying performance tasks based on the GRASPS framework, exploring and seeking to explain the relationships between these tasks and English language learning. Data was collected over one semester in 14 public secondary schools in Ecuador, and it consisted of a questionnaire applied to 283 EFL students and two focus-group interviews with 12 EFL learners. After receiving a two-week workshop, sixteen Ecuadorian EFL teachers planned three units following the three stages based on the Backward Design Model (Wiggings & McTigue, 2005); however, this study focuses on the students' perceptions of the GRASPS framework. Overall, the students showed high levels of awareness of the benefits of developing performance tasks based on the GRASPS framework. The main benefits encountered by these students were improving English skills, fostering creativity, and autonomous and lifelong learning. Subsequently, the primary takeaway from this study proposes applying the GRASPS framework as a potential support for EFL learning. Theoretical and practical implications are presented, and further research suggestions are provided.

The purpose of this study was to implement the Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach employing online games for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching and learning. The participants were 53 EFL Ecuadorian university students, 17 males and 36 females, who were enrolled in an English Major and a TEFL Master program. Their proficiency level corresponded to B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference. The study followed a mixed-method approach, which involved the administration of a diagnostic survey, an online perceptions questionnaire, an interview, and an observation checklist. Games designed in Quizizz, Kahoot, Genially, and Socrative were implemented for 8 weeks so that the participants could access them to practice the content of each lesson. The findings revealed that the CLIL approach through games improves language learning and communication. Moreover, they foster students' confidence, knowledge retention, and comprehension of the subject matter, enhancing reasoning, problem-solving, critical thinking, and cultural awareness.

This study sought to identify the challenges and needs of TOEFL iBT candidates in achieving C1 level scores in the speaking and writing sections of the exam. To this end, the researcher employed a mixed-method approach to collect data from a population of 46 students, both male and female, between the ages of 22 and 30. The participants were enrolled in two TOEFL preparation classes at Universidad Nacional de Educación. The data were collected through a survey, class observations, and TOEFL speaking and writing mock tests, and were subsequently analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings indicated that the participants encountered challenges in discussing unfamiliar topics fluently, struggled with producing language at the C1 level while employing a variety of grammar and vocabulary, and demonstrated reduced accuracy due to influences from their first language (L1). To address these challenges, it is recommended to offer a bridging course prior to exam preparation courses wherein the primary focus is devoted to enhancing candidates' accuracy and communicative competence in discussing unfamiliar topics through corrective feedback. The findings of this study could offer valuable insights to TOEFL iBT test preparation instructors, enabling them to better understand the challenges students face and plan strategies to address these challenges effectively within preparation courses.

This mixed-method study examines Ecuadorian preservice English as a foreign language teachers' cognition regarding pronunciation models and targets, identity, and confidence. Data were gathered through a self-reported, anonymous online questionnaire. Factor analysis and Spearman's correlations were conducted on the quantitative data, and content analysis on the qualitative data. The results revealed that the participants highly value the native speaker model of pronunciation, are dissatisfied with their nonnative English pronunciation, are not interested in showing their Ecuadorian identities when speaking English, and are still not confident in their English pronunciation. The findings are discussed in light of the implications for pronunciation teachers.

With more and more literature on international student mobility and migration (ISM), one area of focus has often been overlooked: the impacts of student visas and study permits. Examined through an institutionalist framework highlighting the influences of institutions on individuals and their agency, this study describes how visa and study permit policies pervades international students' lives in a variety of ways. Interview data collected from 40 international students who study in Australia, Canada, and the United States were analyzed to uncover themes from these host countries. Drawing on these interviews to outline the concept of ISM policy pervasion, the findings of this study show that visa policies affect international students in wide ranging ways. In addition to providing empirical evidence for ISM policy pervasion, this article also lays the groundwork for further studies that delve into the practical impacts of student visa and study permit policies around the world.

The objective of this research is to study if the use of the calculator decreases students' anxiety in the subject of differential and integral calculus. Specifically, the research is carried out with 30 engineering students. Auzmendi anxiety factor questions are used to measure anxiety. The study is carried out in two moments; in the first the calculator is not used and in the second if they use it. In the second case, the calculator is used in problems involving the application of derivatives and integrals. The results indicate that the students reduce their anxiety when they use the calculator. Thus, in seven of the nine questions, students who use the calculator obtain a higher mean, it helps to reduce anxiety. In general, t-student test indicates that the moment students use the calculator they have less anxiety, and it helps to reduce errors in the mathematical process. Teachers should consider the calculator as a resource that motivates the student and helps reduce anxiety. In addition, the use of the calculator helps to reduce mathematical errors in basic operations and in the application of derivatives and integrals.

Due to its positive results, active learning has spread to most areas of knowledge of Civil Engineering. Many of these studies used only one technique, which is limiting given the diverse learning styles that the students may have. The road geometric design is the area that has been the least explored in Civil engineering. Therefore, the objective of this study is to show the implementation of multiple different active learning techniques in online road geometric design courses. The study shows an iterative implementation of multiple active learning techniques throughout the sequence of the three undergraduate courses in Ecuador. As a result, positive student perception was found from the combination of several active techniques. Each technique, called 'learning moment', was distributed weekly and separated from the others. The students gave the courses an average score between 8.34 to 9.06/10. At each learning moment, there were many positive comments and some easily resolved negative ones. The combination of multiple different active learning techniques, shown in this study, can be used in other courses of Civil Engineering, Engineering, or in similar areas of knowledge.

Contribution: This study explores industry members' perceptions about the ABET-based accreditation in a developing country, using the case study of a program in a publicly funded polytechnic university in Ecuador. Background: Engineering programs often seek international accreditations to enhance the education quality, align with the global standards or gain academic reputation. ABET-based accreditation originates in United States, and thus presents some challenges for institutions in developing countries. Intended Outcomes: This study aimed to investigate the significance of international academic accreditation, as seen through the perspective of industry members. It focused on identifying fundamental competencies valued by employers and aimed to provide insights for institutions in similar contexts. Application Design: The research employed an approach informed by a qualitative methodology, involving in-depth interviews with five industry members who had served on the advisory committee board of an engineering program from a higher education institution in Ecuador. Findings: The findings identified three main areas of competencies that the industry members value: communication skills for teamwork, a problem-solving orientation, and an ability for effective task planning. The study also showed that these industry members value international accreditation as a means for enhancing education quality and ensuring graduates develop the necessary skills and competencies, yet the overall awareness with their peers remains relatively low.

Previous cross-cultural research has described two different attention styles: a holistic style, characterized by context-sensitive processing, generally associated with interdependent cultural contexts, and an analytic style, a higher focus on salient objects, generally found in independent cultural contexts. Though a general assumption in the field is that attention styles are gradually socialized in culture-specific interactions in childhood, empirical evidence for the proximal mechanisms underlying this development is scarce. This study aimed to document the emergence of cross-cultural differences in attention styles in three cultural contexts differing in social orientations, namely in urban middle-class families from Münster, Germany (i.e., more independent context), and Kyoto, Japan, and Indigenous-heritage families from Cotacachi, Ecuador (i.e., more interdependent contexts). Furthermore, to test the assumption that caregivers' attention guidance is one of the forces driving differential development, we investigated how caregivers guide children's attention. In total, 270 children between 4 and 9 years of age and their mothers participated in three tasks: an eye-tracking task, a picture description task and a forced-choice recognition task. Results indicate a mixed pattern of findings: While some tasks revealed the expected cultural differences, namely a higher object focus in Münster compared to Kyoto and Cotacachi, others did not. Regarding caregivers' attention guidance, we found that mothers in Münster more strongly emphasized the focal object than mothers in Kyoto and Cotacachi. The results are discussed in terms of culture-specific developmental trajectories and the generalizability of attentional processes across tasks and cultural contexts.

Misconceptions or inaccurate ideas about Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be found in college students from health-related careers. Refutation texts explicitly introduce inaccurate information, refute it, and introduce alternative, more accurate information. This study examined the role of refutation texts in revising misconceptions about AD in Ecuadorian Psychology and Nursing college students. Eighty undergraduate students completed a questionnaire about misconceptions on AD before and after reading eight texts in one of two conditions: refutation (texts that corrected a misconception following a refutational structure) or control (texts that corrected the misconception with no refutational structure). As a result, participants read the spillover sentence (next to the refutation) faster and improved performance on a misconceptions' posttest questionnaire in the refutation compared to the control condition. These results highlight the effectiveness of refutation texts in promoting the revision of inaccurate ideas about AD in college students during reading and 1 week later.

This case study examines reciprocal mentoring in a community-based program (CBP) serving immigrant Latino families with school-aged children. University student volunteers shared technological and college knowledge and grew in leadership skills. Simultaneously, they gained familial and cultural support and belonging from program families. The CBP fostered all forms of community cultural wealth capital. Study findings can inform educational leaders seeking to develop mutually beneficial partnerships between education institutions and community organizations to support student success.

Children all over the world learn language, yet the contexts in which they do so vary substantially. This variation needs to be systematically quantified to build robust and generalizable theories of language acquisition. We compared communicative interactions between parents and their 2-year-old children (N = 99 families) during mealtime across five cultural settings (Brazil, Ecuador, Argentina, Germany, and Japan) and coded the amount of talk and gestures as well as their conversational embedding (interlocutors, function, and themes). We found a comparable pattern of communicative interactions across cultural settings, which were modified in ways that are consistent with local norms and values. These results suggest that children encounter similarly structured communicative environments across diverse cultural contexts and will inform theories of language learning.

This study explores the effectiveness of online and blended teaching methods in developing cross-curricular skills crucial for an ideal engineering profile among undergraduate students. Involving 587 online and 635 blended students across 11 Latin American universities, the research incorporates Likert tests for student perceptions and Mann-Whitney statistical tests for hypothesis scrutiny. Challenges emerged due to diverse academic contexts and the subjective nature of self-reported perceptions. Despite these hurdles, findings highlight the blended method's superior effectiveness in fostering key engineering skills. The study not only contributes to teaching method exploration but also addresses challenges in cross-cultural research settings, enhancing our understanding of the complexities and adaptations required for cross-curricular skill development in engineering education.

New and newly widespread communications technologies make it possible for students to enjoy many of the benefits of an ethnographic field school with less commitment of money and time, thereby expanding access to a valuable cross-cultural research experience. This article reflects on the challenges, successes, limitations, and lessons learned from Wayne State University's Virtual Ethnographic Field School in Highland Ecuador, considers an alternative model, and sketches various field school pedagogical and design options.

What opportunities and challenges occur in reclaiming Indigenous languages within state institutions? This article considers the case of intercultural bilingual education in Ecuador. The school system is remarkable as a national-level initiative run by and for Indigenous "pueblos" and nationalities. Based primarily on two years of ethnographic research in the national directorate offices of the school system and in schools, I describe three challenges that have arisen for directors that are linked to national state offices and expectations. Ultimately, Kichwa is more prominent than ever even as national planning and support changes Kichwa. The case shows contradictions of institutions in language revitalization efforts.

The Achievement Goal Theory has been commonly used in the literature and the relation between the goal orientation construct and aspects of athletes' personality and well-being is an important element to be considered in the sports field. The objectives of this study were: (i) to confirm the reliability, factorial invariance and existence of latent mean differences of the Goal Orientations in Exercise Scale (GOES) in an Ecuadorian sample across sex; (ii) to identify the existence of subgroups of Ecuadorian students with different profiles of goal orientations to exercise; and (iii) to determine the differences in resilience and life satisfaction among these profiles. A total of 597 Ecuadorian students from the Sports Sciences degree participated in this study. Confirmatory factorial analysis supported the two-dimensional (ego-task) GOES structure. The GOES has an adequate reliability and structural invariance across sex. Significant latent mean differences on the "ego" orientation subscale were found across sex but not in the "task" one. Cluster analysis identified three task-ego orientation profiles: (1) moderately high on "task" and low on "ego"; (2) low on "task" and slightly high on "ego"; (3) high in both "task" and "ego" orientation. Post hoc comparisons showed statistical differences in resilience between the three profiles and in life satisfaction between the profile 3 and profiles 1 and 2. The current study allows the possibility of using the GOES as an invariant and reliable scale in Ecuadorian sample and initiates the use of goal orientation profiles and their relationship with resilience and life satisfaction in the sports field.

In this article, we report the results of a study through which we collected English language teachers' needs and wants to design an online language assessment course. Through a mixed-methods approach, we asked 20 teachers from four Latin American countries what they wanted to learn in the course. The teachers wanted a course in which they could address the challenges they faced in assessment; discuss and develop new ways to assess; and learn about authentic, valid, and ethical assessment. Therefore, the findings suggest that the teachers wanted a course that mixed theory, practice, and principles of assessment. Additionally, the course should address emerging topics in English language assessment, namely bilingual assessment and the assessment of learners with special educational needs.

The main objective of this qualitative case study was to analyze the feasibility of integrating an e-tandem mode into the language curriculum for the English major at the Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi (UTC). We selected purposeful sampling that permitted us to deliberately choose participants. So, this study was conducted by eleven pre-service teachers and two professors of the Pedagogy of National and Foreign Languages-English degree program. Semi-structured interviews were administered to professors, and focus groups were conducted with pre-service teachers. Open-ended questions were designed for both techniques. The main findings show that e-tandem mode can be implemented in the curriculum of the English major in two forms: as a component of a subject and as pre-professional practice. Once the legal basis of the Regulation of the Academic Regime of Ecuador was reviewed, we concluded that e-tandem could be included as a component of a subject, respecting the principle of autonomy and giving rewards (scores) when learners participate in sessions. It could also be a pre-professional practice activity in which learners could improve their communicative competence and language knowledge by participating in the e-tandem process as mediators or tutors. It is recommended to use pilot plans in the UTC with the use of e-tandem sessions in both modalities, which could then be evaluated to determine which one produces the best results.

The relevance and importance that the topic of Digital Competences for Teachers (DCT) has gained is evident both in the field of training and in research, as can be seen by the increase in the amount of research and meta-analysis carried out on this topic. This article presents the results of an ex post facto research with a cross-sectional research design, based on a descriptive and hypothesis-testing approach. A total of 6,664 teachers from different Latin American universities participated in the self-knowledge they have regarding their Digital Teaching Competence (DTC) according to the DigCompEdu framework of the European Union. Among the results obtained, it is worth noting the intermediate level of digital competences reported by the teachers surveyed, with significant differences with respect to different key variables for their development. Therefore, we conclude by reflecting on the need to establish teacher training plans in this area.

This paper reports a mixed-method study on listening instructional practices and beliefs of 50 EFL teachers of public and private universities in Cuenca, Ecuador. The study aimed to provide empirical evidence of listening teaching practices and determine teachers' beliefs about listening. Data were gathered through a questionnaire and structured class observations. Results evidenced that instructional practices emphasize task completion rather than listening development, are oriented towards the product rather than the process and lack decoding.

The aim of the research was to develop a theoretical approach to describe the emotional and techno-ontological logic of mathematics teachers during distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of their emotional state on the learning process. The research approach used in this paper belongs to the qualitative paradigm. The study involved teachers and students from universities in Ecuador, both private and public. The study observed the behavior of teachers and students, analyzed the use of technology in mathematical activities, and analyzed personal opinions about the learning process of the participants of the study. A digital observation guide and open-ended interviews were used to collect data. The qualitative analysis program Atlas. Ti was used to analyze the data. The program created three categories: andragogical heterotopia of mathematics, emotional scar in teacher preparation, and perceptions of the educational process. As the results of the research showed, there was a deficit of digital professional training of teachers in the university teaching of mathematics. As a result of the research work carried out, a theoretical approach is proposed, through which it is possible to avoid the manifestation of techno-ontological logical emotions in mathematics teachers in Ecuadorian universities.

In this study, we present the results of a project, which involved students enrolled at four universities located in Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom. The main goal of the project was to raise students' awareness about the conditions that cause epistemic injustice for migrants and refugees. Epistemic injustice is a concept that sheds light on the ethical dimensions of our epistemic practices. It recognizes that individuals can be wronged specifically in their capacity as knowers, a capacity essential to human value (Fricker, 2007). The project material included a set of interviews with migrants and refugees as well as desk research about the status of their national migratory contexts. Students exchanged their testimonies via extended sessions that took place between October and November of 2022. An ethics of listening was cultivated to disrupt conventions of authorized discourse about migrants. Through understanding that labels such as illegal, undocumented and unauthorized are not neutral descriptors but carry implicit association and value judgments that frame and influence debate, students were invited to engage in a form of communication and consciousness to create spaces for unheard, marginalized voices of migration trends (Lipari, 2010.) Our international research with students and migrants was influenced by Arjun Appadurai (2006) who invites us to question established paradigms and critically reflect on contemporary global dynamics of migration contributing to Sousa Santos 'ecology of knowledges' across continents and cultures (2015).

Higher education institutions have been complicit with the ongoing coloniality project that reinforces and perpetuates inequities, dismisses interests, knowledges, alternative discourses, and world views different from Western European thought (Bell, 2018; Dastile & Ndlovu-Gatsheni, 2013; Harms-Smith & Rasool, 2020). Education is rooted in colonialism, which raises doubts about the feasibility of universities implementing a decolonial agenda (Dhillon, 2021). To contribute to the conversation about decolonial praxis and the documented efforts in the literature on how to enact a decolonial rehumanizing agenda, this paper presents a systematic literature review of works from the Global South that attempt to disentangle universities from colonial practices in higher education. The works reviewed describe a variety of practices from pedagogical practices, curriculum changes, and institutional connections with marginalized communities that make visible knowledges, languages, and perspectives traditionally excluded from universities.

Research on pre-service and novice teachers shows that their school learning experiences play a role in developing their pedagogical beliefs. However, whether these experiences continue to influence teachers' beliefs as they become more experienced requires further investigation. This study aimed to examine how the school language learning experiences of four Ecuadorian EFL teachers may still guide their pedagogical beliefs after years of teaching experience and professional development. This qualitative multiple case study collected teachers' school stories via narrative frames and semi-structured interviews. Findings suggested that the participants' positive learning experiences still impact their pedagogical beliefs. Furthermore, their teaching experiences and professional development opportunities were found to play a significant role in reshaping participants' beliefs that were initially framed by their negative learning experiences. Implications for in-service teachers and pre-service language teacher education highlight the value of reflection as a life-long practice.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a major crisis in numerous social spheres, especially among children, due to the closure of schools in hundreds of countries. The lockdown resulted in classes being given exclusively online, which could have led to increased participation in antisocial online behaviour such as cyberhate. This research aims to find out the impact of lockdown on cyberhate in children in Primary Education and to analyse the role of social, emotional and moral competencies as a protective factor. The study was conducted with 792 primary school pupils (Mage=10.81, SD=0.85) from Cuenca (Ecuador). A questionnaire focusing on cyberhate, social and emotional competencies, empathy, and moral emotions scales was used. A quantitative study was carried out with a longitudinal design with two data rounds of collection separated by an interval of five months. The results showed that total cyberhate and its dimensions, perpetration and propagation, increased longitudinally. Cyberhate among these participants could be predicted, after five months of lockdown, for being male, being in the highest school year, attending a state school, and obtaining low scores in moral emotions. The effects of the lockdown have highlighted the importance of face-to-face social relationships, which has exciting implications on the importance of school in developing social, emotional, and moral competencies which foster coexistence and respect for diversity.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought changes around the world, especially in the education field where classes were shifted to only distance learning. This radical transformation could have affected students' level of engagement and motivation; therefore, it might also have had some influence on their performance. This study correlates English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students' perceptions of their level of engagement and motivation in virtual environments with factors such as schedule, gender, and the discipline area they are studying. A two-part-survey was used. The first part includes demographic information and the second one 22 close-ended questions. It was completed by 703 EFL students in the Language Department of the University of Cuenca, Ecuador. The results revealed an important level of engagement in these students. Students' goals and reasons for learning the language need to be considered as an opportunity to provide their teachers with some information to enhance students' language competence, generate strategies for language learning, and promote significant learning experiences. Research is recommended to discover teachers' views and opinions on different aspects involved in online classes and use this information to design and implement more active, engaging, and effective lessons. These specific findings can be used to improve and implement effective methodologies that can lead to better practices, not only for EFL teachers, but also for EFL students.

In the academic world, the skills of scientific writing and publishing allow for the sharing and dissemination of academic research. The research analysed the scientific publications of university teachers from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Technical University of Manabí (FCHS-UTM), Ecuador, in order to determine their skills and preferences in terms of scientific journals, writing language, type of publication, indexing, and editorial quality. A descriptive quantitative approach study was applied. A survey study was carried out. The sample selection was non-probabilistic and participatory. The sample consisted of 55 teachers from the faculty. A 25-item questionnaire was developed for data collection. The results were analysed using descriptive statistics. Among the results the faculty has a preference for national or local scientific journals. The language most used in studies is Spanish. University researchers are more professional in their use of American Psychological Association (APA) norms. The study presented implications such as the promotion of scientific publication and professional development, preservation of language and culture, professionalism in citation standards, promotion of collaboration, improvement of editorial quality and training strategies.

Self-regulated learning strategies are essential for learning, and to teach learners to use them, teachers must master them. The objective of this study was to identify training priorities for including these strategies in online courses for teachers, and to determine whether opinion influences the use of strategies. The design was non-experimental and cross-sectional, and involved administering the revised "Cuestionario de Evaluación de las Estrategias de Aprendizaje de los Estudiantes Universitarios" (CEVEAPEU questionnaire) to 285 teachers. The results allow us to differentiate between priority weaknesses, lower-priority weaknesses, and strengths in relation to metacognitive strategies (planning, objectives, self-evaluation, self-regulation, and context). To determine this, a frequency analysis was used, followed by a Mann-Whitney U (for 2-group variables) and Kruskal-Wallis (for 3 groups) test to determine whether opinion influences the use of strategies. Priority weaknesses were identified in the knowledge of objectives and evaluation criteria (planification); the ability to recognise when an exam has been passed (self-evaluation); modifying initial plans, dedicating more effort to difficult subjects, and learning new study techniques (self-regulation); and taking advantage of study time (context control). We concluded that opinions on self-regulated learning influence the use of strategies. Finally, work should be done on the recognition of the importance of self-regulated learning, time management strategies, self-evaluation techniques, flexibility, and self-control.

This work examines Ecuadorian teacher trainees' self-reported pedagogy. Data gathered in focus groups documents participant' pedagogy, what they stated they learned about teaching in diverse contexts, and the challenges they anticipate as they prepare to begin careers as English language teachers. A constant comparison method was used to determine and cross-reference emergent themes in the data. Findings suggest a disconnect between the objectives of trainees' program of study and what the future teachers stated they need to know to be ready to implement in their practice.

In the rapidly changing atmosphere of the global economy, productivity has become a very important concept for long-term economic growth, development, regional and global competitiveness, raising social living standards and increasing the level of welfare for countries. In the 21st century, when scientific knowledge, technology, innovation, R&D and entrepreneurship manifest themselves in every stage of the production process, human capital has come to the fore as an important and determining factor that increases productivity. In the current study, the effect of human capital, one of the most important outputs of education, on country productivity was analyzed for 24 developing countries, including Turkey, which are in the upper middle income group. In the application part, a panel data set was created for the 24 countries included in the study with the series obtained from the database of PWT10.0 for the period of 1980-2019. The Human Capital Index was used to reveal the human capital status of the countries included in the analysis and the Total Factor Productivity Index was used to reveal the productivity status. The Granger Panel Causality Test was employed to determine whether there is a short-term relationship and the Westerlund Panel Cointegration Test was employed to determine whether there is a long-term relationship between the two variables. As a result of a bilateral causality relationship was found between human capital and productivity in the short-term and a cointegration relationship in the long-term. The study is important and different from other studies in that it focuses on the concepts of human capital and productivity, which have a very limited place in the education literature, although they are directly related to education, and it is grounded on an interdisciplinary approach (bringing together education, sociology and econometrics).

Purpose: This study compared approaches to school closures in four Latin American countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru), describing the impact on the health and educational wellbeing of school-age children and youth, and evaluating their approaches in regard to continuing education through the pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: We collected 75 publicly available documents including scientific and gray literature (government documents and news releases), that referred to school closures and their impact on children's health and wellbeing. We did thematic analyses using open, axial, and selective coding and applied the latest Health Promoting Schools standards and indicators to the findings. Findings: Results showed that countries followed epidemiological reasons for prioritizing school closures while adopting some policies that abide by Health Promoting School principles. While they emphasized the need to reopen schools so that instruction could continue, school closures were among the longest in the world. The most significant impacts on wellbeing identified in the four countries were related to food security and mental health. Research limitations/implications: This study focused on a particular set of documents, and it may not capture the full spectrum of relevant information in different contexts or regions. Practical implications: By comparing school closures approaches among four Latin American countries, this study highlights the importance of context-specific interventions. In a post-pandemic era, lessons learned from these experiences should help foster more resilient and inclusive educational systems and explore the paths forward for following the new Health Promoting Schools framework in the region. Originality/value: Cross-country qualitative analyses on this topic are rare. This study adds to the knowledge base by eliciting lessons for future health education research and policy efforts.

This paper explores the current challenges of Catholic popular education in Latin America, with a focus on Ecuador. It identifies the current economic and political context -- threats to democracy and economic crises -- that affects the social fabric as well as challenging educational outcomes exacerbated by the pandemic. It focuses on Fe y Alegría, a Jesuit-affiliated network, to explore these issues as well as the transmission of faith, spirituality, and Christian leadership. It then presents a case study of contextualised Ignatian popular education in Ecuadorian indigenous communities. The challenges entailed in fostering individual integral development and community transformation through agency, citizenship and participation are discussed, as well as the difficulties of transmitting faith as underpinning for justice, with implications beyond Ecuador.

Educators who are collaborating globally identify the potential for student-to-student global interactions leading to deeper understanding of how the world works. This qualitative study explored the phenomenon of online global collaboration through interviews with geographically dispersed K-12 educators. The aim was to understand better online global collaborative practices: how K-12 educators leveraged personal beliefs and pedagogies within the school context; and the subsequent impact on educator pedagogical practices. Findings reveal how educators developed a Global Collaborator Mindset (GCM), identified as having attributes of openness, connection, autonomy and innovation. A model of the GCM is presented, along with implications and limitations.

This article examines to what extent the independent living movement has an impact on higher education. With this purpose, a survey of 13,939 undergraduate and postgraduate students related to Education Sciences from 24 institutions in Europe and Latin America was carried out. Of these students, 615 declared having a disability. The objectives of the study were to describe the profile and the living conditions for students with and without disabilities; characterise their level of university and social participation; determine the predictors of university participation of students with disabilities. The results suggest an under-representation of these students at university, who form a homogenous profile, consistent with the starting point of the independent living movement. These students participate in university from an instrumental point of view linked to academic achievement and maximum impact on the institution. Lines of work and research to promote the academic and social inclusion of this group are discussed.

Background: The research involved 170 adolescents from Brazil and Ecuador, ages 12 to 19, comprising 87 Brazilians and 83 Ecuadorians, with a gender distribution of 95 females and 75 males. Purpose: Examine the correlation between impulsivity, emotional symptoms, and the use of alcohol and drugs among teenagers in these countries. Methods: Implemented Addiction Severity Index (ASI-version 6), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale for Young People (BIS-11 and BIS-Brief), a Sociodemographic Questionnaire, and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results: Findings indicated a significant link between higher impulsivity levels and increased alcohol consumption across both nations. Specifically, adolescents with greater impulsivity were 1.18 times more likely to consume alcohol (OR = 1.18, 95% CI [1.017-1.374]), and the likelihood of alcohol use escalated with age, with older teenagers 1.80 times more prone to drinking (OR = 1.80, 95% CI [1.285-2.541]). Discussion: Brazilian adolescents exhibited more emotional symptoms than their Ecuadorian counterparts. No gender differences were found in alcohol use, though females showed more emotional symptoms and males had more positive peer interactions. Translation to Health Education Practice: The research highlights the need for culturally sensitive health education interventions targeting these issues to promote healthier behaviors among adolescents.

University dropout is a serious problem in higher education that is increasingly gaining importance, as it is essential to understand its causes and search for public and institutional policies that can help reduce it. This research uses conventional and extended Cox survival models to analyze the factors behind dropout rates at a co-financed higher education institution (HEI) in Ecuador. The latter allows us to model specific components, such as time-dependent and independent variables, and unobserved heterogeneity. The results show that certain student-related, family-related, or background characteristics are relevant for the ecuadorian context. However, the most influential factors affecting the dropout risk are institutional and academic. These findings provide valuable insights into the actions and policies that HEI can implement to mitigate dropout rates through internal measures that public policies can complement.

Fútbol Más, which began in three communities in Santiago, Chile 17 years ago, is now a global program that has had a direct presence in 11 countries around the world. Originally, the intention was to develop an intervention through which a social worker professional and a physical education professional would promote life skills and build resilience--all while children played on their neighborhood football field. In order to exponentially increase the impact, what was originally intended for community neighborhoods was adapted to work in contexts of natural disasters, with populations in migration contexts, with children in protection shelters, and eventually in capacity-building with professionals around the world. But the bigger milestone of the program adaptation started in Haiti 10 years ago, where the "Schools" program was first initiated. This article describes how Fútbol Más adapted from community to school environments, including working with teachers and building partnerships.

This is a reflective piece theorizing my personal and academic experiences working with preservice teachers who are pursuing a Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate with immersion experience participating in a study abroad program teaching English to university students in Ecuador. Teaching predominantly white students as a woman of color is always full of stories, both real and imaginary. This is an opportunity to theorize the role of non-native English speakers guiding preservice teachers to teach English learners in the global south while discussing or contesting language aspects such as pronunciation, accuracy, proficiency, among others.

Latin American countries have experienced demographic and linguistic changes since Educación Intercultural Bilingüe (EIB) was first developed. Yet, ministries of education continue to impose generic models that do not reflect the realities of migrant Indigenous groups, who experience linguistic and ethnic minoritisation processes. Based on our ongoing work with a migrant Salasaka Indigenous community from the Ecuadorian Andes living in Galapagos, a region in which the majority of the population does not identify as Indigenous nor speak Kichwa, we propose Contextualización Transformativa de Educación Intercultural Bilingüe (CTEIB). CTEIB 1) considers processes of enacting Indigeneity in migratory contexts; 2) reflects the dialogic influence of place on migrant Indigenous communities' languages, traditional ecological knowledge, and culture; and 3) acknowledges the agency and creativity of Indigenous groups as transformative agents in maintaining their languages and Indigeneity outside their ancestral lands. This paper describes the theoretical underpinnings of CTEIB by building on the work of the Salasaka community in contextualising and adapting the Ecuadorian EIB programme to Galapagos. Beyond the importance of this work for migrant Indigenous communities, this work advocates for EIB programmes to address Indigenous migration in their design and implementation with implications for educational researchers, policy makers, and educators.

Drawing from Critical Latinx Indigeneities, this study explored how Kichwa Saraguro families are (re)creating their Indigeneity and reclaiming their Kichwa language in rural areas of Wisconsin. Using a subset of data gathered through ethnographic work, we report on interviews with 10 members of the Saraguro community as they described the practices they enact to teach and learn what it means to be Saraguro. Our findings revealed that in response to experiences marked by ethnoracial minoritization, Saraguro youth and families have developed home- and community-based pedagogies to continue reclaiming their Kichwa language, culture, and epistemology. These practices included the intergenerational communal teaching of Saraguro culture, Kichwa language-learning initiatives, and Saraguro-led events designed to educate broader communities. Saraguro parents and teenage children pointed to the myriad of practical and emotional benefits they received from local and transnational Saraguro networks. Recommendations for critical educational research on transnational Indigenous Latine/x communities are discussed here.