Andrés Larco

Moving Beyond Limitations: Evaluating the Quality of Android Apps in Spanish for People with Disability

Autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, constitute the most common disabilities from a medical point of view. In others individual fields, the Assistive Technology use constitute a current option to improve the Quality of Life. In this case, the free available specialized software covers several competences of life, like language and communication, autonomy, sensorimotor, social skills, mathematics, knowledge of the natural and social environment, and digital competences. The objective of this research was to evaluate the quality of Android apps using Mobile Application Rating Scale. A systematic search using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses was conducted using Google Play store as a base in August 2017. Evaluated apps were classified according to their respective competence of life. The results showed that the evaluated apps needed improvements in customization and interactivity. Also, an apps list based on Mobile Application Rating Scale scores, useful for therapist, parents, and people with disability has been established.

Autism and Web-Based Learning: Review and Evaluation of Web Apps

Challenges with social skills are the main barrier of people with autism preventing them to be independent adults. However, information and communication technology can help individuals with autism by developing and practicing essential social skills. The objective of this research was reviewing and evaluating web apps for people with autism using Mobile App Rating Scale. The review used a set of free apps from Doctor TEA and Pictoaplicaciones. Based on these websites, a total of 65 apps were evaluated using Mobile App Rating Scale. The results showed that twenty-five apps had an acceptable quality with scores over four. Therefore, the use of these apps could be recommended for therapists, parents, and people with autism. The app list generated by this research can be used as a complementary resource in the educational field targeting specific skills needed by people with autism to overcome different social situations.

iOS Apps for People with Intellectual Disability: A Quality Assessment.

People with intellectual disability should have access to life-long learning opportunities that help them to acquire essential knowledge and skills. Due to poverty, they may be unable to access basic products and services such as telephones, television and the Internet. Unequal access to technology has created a digital divide. However, information and communication technology can help people with intellectual disability in the interaction with the external environment. The objective of this research was assessing iOS apps quality for people with intellectual disability using Mobile App Rating Scale. Apps included for evaluation needed to be educational, in Spanish and free to download. A systematic search was conducted with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses in Apple App Store, finding a total of 958 apps. After filtering, a total of 42 apps were considered for evaluation using Mobile App Rating Scale. The research identified seven apps with good quality, with scores over 4. Due to moderately correlation of subjective customer ratings of Apple App Store with Mobile App Rating Scale score, customer rating is an unreliable indicator of app quality. The results of this research can help therapists and parents to choose the right app for people with intellectual disability.

IT Process Improvement in Telehomecare Services for Diabetic/Hypertensive Patients in a Developing Country: Design and Evaluation into an Ecuadorian Company

This study shows a solution for IT process improvement in Telehomecare Services, developed by an Ecuadorian Company that provides services to Diabetic/Hypertensive patients. Based on the current situation, the Design combines the perspective and benefits of business process models and IT management best practices, through the concept of the responsibilities matrix, including an IT governance component. The Evaluation is done with the design implementation; besides, an impact analysis using the process capacity model is realized. Results show the technical and operational applicability of the model, as well as an effective improvement of IT services, consequently of service to patients. Thus, the work provides a practical tool formally developed according to DSR approach and using complementary methods. The solution includes components not explicitly integrated into technical literature for a sensitive issue.

IT Outsourcing Improvement: Contractual Model of Governance and Management from Customer Perspective

Following a Design Science Research (DSR) approach, this paper presents a model of Governance and Management for IT outsourcing services, from the perspective of specific governance mechanisms, strategic alignment, and management process; this combination is not explicit in the technical literature. The designed model references contractual mechanism of outsourcing, from a customer perspective. The evaluation process is carried out through a case study: applying the model in an Ecuadorian institution of the financial sector, which has chosen to outsource a number of their IT services. For data capture and recording, Participant Observation has used; also, using implementation Critical Success Factors found in technical literature a compliance check is done. The work contributes providing a practical tool for the practitioners, and subsequent expansion of the existing body of knowledge in business process outsourcing, IT related.

IT process improvement: Developing an agile model using the DSR approach

A wide range of models supports process improvement in organizations, nevertheless, the absence of a universal model becomes necessary to combine complementary models. The aim of this work is to design and to evaluate SFramework, a useful model for process improvement, because facilitates the reference models combination. The methodology used is Design Science Research (DSR), which prescribes the design and evaluation phases of the new artifact and use of a set of guidelines for this purpose. The design phase develops an agile structured model with generic phases; so, it can be generalizable. In evaluation phase, a case study based on IT standards and best practices is used; the structure and the content of the required documentation for business continuity process are defined. This study evidences that SFramework is operational and technically feasible and the effort expended in its application is relatively low; therefore, it is applicable for process improvement in environments SME type. Also shows a successful case using DSR and complementary methods.