Desarrollo ágil y evaluación de usabilidad de un prototipo de aplicación educativa para fomentar el alfabetismo tradicional y digital

Lucrecia Llerena; Steffanny Loor; Nancy Rodríguez

doi:10.33333/lajc.vol13n1.07

Authors

Lucrecia Llerena Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4562-6723
Steffanny Loor Quevedo State University https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2263-2010
Nancy Rodríguez Quevedo State University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0861-4352

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33333/lajc.vol13n1.07

Keywords:

Traditional Literacy, Digital Literacy, Windows Forms, Educational Software Development, Usability Testing

Abstract

Traditional and digital illiteracy continue to hinder social integration and equitable access to educational and employment opportunities. In response, PixelABC was developed as an interactive application prototype based on Windows Forms, designed to strengthen basic literacy and digital skills. The development process followed the agile Scrum methodology and was guided by a Systematic Mapping Study (SMS) to identify technological strategies in vulnerable contexts. PixelABC integrates educational games, thematic modules, videos, and quizzes to facilitate interactive learning. Usability was evaluated through structured interviews with users, which helped identify key areas for improvement in interface design, instructional clarity, and system performance. Results highlight the potential of the prototype to promote educational inclusion, although enhancements are needed in visual design, loading speed, and adaptability. This study concludes that PixelABC is a viable tool for fostering traditional and digital literacy. Future improvements will focus on interface optimization, integration of multimedia resources, and adaptation to mobile platforms, thereby increasing its reach and effectiveness in reducing digital divides.

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Author Biographies

Lucrecia Llerena, Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo

Lucrecia Llerena completed her PhD in Computer Science and Telecommunications with cum laude distinction and also earned a Master’s Degree in Research and Innovation in Information and Communication Technologies (I2TIC), both from the School of Engineering (Escuela Politécnica Superior) at the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM). She also holds a Master’s Degree in Distance and Open Education and a degree in Systems Engineering from the Universidad Autónoma de Los Andes (Ecuador).

She currently serves as a Full Professor in the Faculty of Computer Science and Digital Design at the State Technical University of Quevedo (UTEQ), where she has been a faculty member since 2001. She has led several FOCICYT projects and supervised undergraduate and graduate theses at UTEQ and UPSE. Her research interests focus on software engineering, development processes, usability integration, intelligent systems, and education in e-learning environments.
Steffanny Loor, Quevedo State University

Steffanny del Rocío Loor Suárez is a Software Engineering student at the State Technical University of Quevedo (UTEQ) in Quevedo, Ecuador.

She specializes in the development of educational software aimed at inclusion and the improvement of learning processes. Throughout her experience, she has applied agile methodologies—particularly Scrum—to manage projects in an iterative and flexible manner, enabling her to deliver functional solutions aligned with user requirements. She is also proficient in software modeling using UML diagrams, which she employs to structure clear and efficient solutions.

A central focus of her work is the design of interactive interfaces, consistently prioritizing usability and user experience. In this area, she has explored various environments for building educational prototypes that integrate playful and didactic resources. Her academic and professional interests are oriented toward the creation of innovative technological solutions that address diverse social contexts, helping to reduce traditional and digital literacy gaps through proposals that combine accessibility, functionality, and creativity.
Nancy Rodríguez, Quevedo State University

Nancy Rodríguez obtained her Master’s Degree in Research and Innovation in Information and Communication Technologies from the Autonomous University of Madrid (Spain), where she is currently pursuing a PhD in Computer and Telecommunications Engineering. She has more than ten years of professional experience in software development and currently serves as a faculty member in the Faculty of Computer Science and Digital Design at the State Technical University of Quevedo (UTEQ) in Ecuador.

She has taught a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses, particularly in the areas of programming, software engineering, databases, and web technologies. Her academic work includes participation in FOCICYT-UTEQ research projects focused on intelligent systems, digital education, and technologies for active aging aimed at improving the well-being of older adults. She has also been a speaker at national and international conferences in the fields of educational computing and technology-mediated learning.

Her main research areas include software development processes, usability in open-source systems, online learning environments, and massive open online courses (MOOCs).

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