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Publications

2024

Arduino-Based Mobile Robotics for Fostering Computational Thinking Development: An Empirical Study with Elementary School Students Using Problem-Based Learning Across Europe

Authors
Barradas, R; Lencastre, JA; Soares, SP; Valente, A;

Publication
ROBOTICS

Abstract
The present article explores the impact of educational robotics on fostering computational thinking and problem-solving skills in elementary school students through a problem-based learning approach. This study involved the creation of a framework which includes a robot and two eBooks designed for students and teachers. The eBooks serve as a guide to the construction and programming of a small Arduino-based robot. Through integration with gamification elements, the model features a narrative with three characters to boost a student's engagement and motivation. Through iteration of heuristic evaluations and practical tests, we refined the initial theoretical framework. An empirical study was conducted in two phases involving 350 students. The first empirical test involved a small group of 21 students, similar to end users, from five European schools. With a 100% completion rate for the tasks, 73.47% of these tasks were solved optimally. Later, we conducted a larger validation study which involved 329 students in a Portuguese school. This second phase of the study was conducted during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years with three study groups. The results led to a 91.13% success rate in problem-solving activities, and 56.99% of those students achieved optimal solutions. Advanced statistical techniques, including ANOVA, were applied to account for group differences and ensure the robustness of the findings. This study demonstrates that the proposed model which integrates educational robotics with problem-based learning effectively promotes computational thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for the 21st century. These findings support the inclusion of robotics into primary school curricula and provide a validated framework for educators.

2024

Human-Centred Decision Support System for Improved Picking-by-Line Warehouse Operations

Authors
Silva, C; Santos, F; Senna, P; Borges, M; Marques, M;

Publication
Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics

Abstract
Warehouses and distribution centres play a key role in any Supply Chain, particularly in the retail sector, where a network of stores needs to be replenished in a highly dynamic and increasingly uncertain context. In this regard, companies need to improve their intralogistics systems daily to ensure long-term competitiveness and sustainable growth. This is especially true in picking-by-line systems where many time-consuming and manual tasks are usually involved. This study introduces a new decision support tool based on simulation methods to aid the decision-making process in a picking-by-Line system, aimed to improve the overall picking operations efficiency, through human-centric perspective. A Discrete-Event-Simulation model is proposed to assess a set of parameters under several scenarios, driving a more informed decision-making process towards cost-effective strategies. The proposed approach was validated through an empirical case study showing its effectiveness in assisting operational planning decisions related to capacity and resource allocation. The system demonstrates promising versatility for application across varied warehouse environments. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.

2024

Interpretable classification of wiki-review streams

Authors
Méndez, SG; Leal, F; Malheiro, B; Burguillo Rial, JC;

Publication
CoRR

Abstract

2024

Human-Centered Trustworthy Framework: A Human–Computer Interaction Perspective

Authors
Sousa, S; Lamas, D; Cravino, J; Martins, P;

Publication
COMPUTER

Abstract
The proposed framework (Human-Centered Trustworthy Framework) provides a novel human-computer interaction approach to incorporate positive and meaningful trustful user experiences in the system design process. It helps to illustrate potential users' trust concerns in artificial intelligence and guides nonexperts to avoid designing vulnerable interactions that lead to breaches of trust.

2024

Gamification Approaches to Immigrants’ Experiences and Issues: A Systematic Review

Authors
Martins, D; Fernandes, C; Campos, MJ; Ferreira, MC;

Publication
International Journal of Information, Diversity and Inclusion

Abstract
Societies throughout today’s global village are increasingly aware of the social injustices that minorities face, and immigrants are no exception. Combined with the lack of adaptation resources and the prejudice of non-migrant residents, immigrants may feel powerless in foreign places as they try to find comfort and security in new and unfamiliar environments. It is increasingly urgent to address immigrant issues, considering the crucial role of enhancing diversity, combating prejudice, and raising awareness of minority experiences. This systematic literature review investigates the innovative use of gamification in exploring and addressing the experiences and issues immigrants face. The review follows the PRISMA statement guidelines and checklist. Scopus, CINAHL, and Medline databases were searched, resulting in 17 relevant articles that were carefully analyzed. This research highlights the diverse applications of gamification in studying immigrant experiences via role-playing, interactive storytelling, and empathy-building simulations. This work explores the potential of gamified interventions in addressing pressing issues immigrants face and assesses their effectiveness in fostering empathy and intercultural communication. It also identifies gaps in the existing information sciences literature and proposes directions for future research. In conclusion, this review sheds light on the emerging field of gamification in immigration studies and games studies in the information sciences, providing valuable insights for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners working with immigrant communities worldwide. © 2024 Master of Library Science Program, East Carolina University. All rights reserved.

2024

The Impact of a Live Refactoring Environment on Software Development

Authors
Fernandes, S; Aguiar, A; Restivo, A;

Publication
Proceedings of the 2024 IEEE/ACM 46th International Conference on Software Engineering: Companion Proceedings, ICSE Companion 2024, Lisbon, Portugal, April 14-20, 2024

Abstract
Reading, adapting, and maintaining complex software can be a daunting task. We might need to refactor it to streamline the process and make the code cleaner and self-explanatory. Traditional refactoring tools guide developers to achieve better-quality code. However, the feedback and assistance they provide can take considerable time. To tackle this issue, we explored the concept of Live Refactoring. This approach focuses on delivering real-time, visually-driven refactoring suggestions. That way, we prototyped a Live Refactoring Environment that visually identifies, recommends, and applies several refactorings in real-time. To validate its effectiveness, we conducted a set of experiments. Those showed that our approach significantly improved various code quality metrics and outperformed the results obtained from manually refactoring code. © 2024 IEEE Computer Society. All rights reserved.

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