Amazonia Investiga

Impact of the School Environmental Project (PRAE) on the Educational Community: Perceptions and Practices in Urban Amazonian Contexts

Wilmer Javier Barrero Navarro — 2025-10-29

This study evaluates the impact of the School Environmental Project (PRAE) on the educational community of a public urban institution in southern Caquetá (Colombia). Using a qualitative descriptive-analytical approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with school administrators, teachers, students, and parents, alongside documentary analysis of the PRAE. Data were processed using NVivo 14 through thematic coding and hierarchical cluster analysis. The analytical categories included knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, pedagogical strategies, institutional management, and community participation. The results show progress in environmental awareness and the adoption of basic environmental care practices, but also reveal limitations in curriculum integration, institutional leadership, and engagement with families. Cluster analysis identified two main discursive clusters—pedagogical-formative and institutional-community—whose weak connection highlights the need to strengthen school–community integration. The study concludes that the PRAE has had a partially positive impact on the educational community, and that its consolidation depends on the development of sustainable strategies that link institutional management with pedagogical practice and citizen participation.

Exploring university mathematics professors’ perceptions and use of GenAI: a conceptual fields approach

Denilsón Andrés Silgado-Tuñón — 2025-10-20

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is rapidly transforming higher education, challenging traditional pedagogical norms, and prompting a re-evaluation of teaching and learning practices. This study analyzes the operational invariants guiding university mathematics professors' action schemes when interacting with GenAI, using the Theory of Conceptual Fields (TCF) as a theoretical framework. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten active university mathematics professors, focusing on the eight dimensions of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK). Transcriptions were analyzed to infer enacted theorems (ETs), classified into eight thematic categories: general functionality, prompt construction, knowledge validation, academic applications, ethics and regulation, relationship with teaching and learning, teacher knowledge and use, and limitations and risks. Results revealed a predominantly pragmatic usage scheme, with GenAI perceived as a search engine, process optimizer, and code generator. However, contradictory ETs indicate that the conceptual field is still under construction. Teachers primarily use GenAI for text editing, content generation, and idea organization, but its direct classroom use remains limited. Epistemological ambivalence exists regarding Gen's authority, with concerns about errors. Ethical and regulatory issues are not yet central. Findings highlight the need for critical, reflective, and context-sensitive appropriation of GenAI in university mathematics education, supported by professional development and institutional policy.

Analysis of Professional Training Actions and Performance of Public Servants in Mozambique, Zambezi University Case (2018-2022)

Flávio A. Rodrigues Matanha — 2025-10-20

The research aims to analyze the professional training actions and performance of Public Servants in Mozambique, such as the Zambeze University (UniZambeze), following the Global Public Sector Reform Strategy, launched by the Government in June 2001. This is guidance for all public institutions to improve the quality of services and the State's responses to society. The research question seeks to assess how professional training actions for employees of UniZambeze's Administrative Technical Body (CTA) contribute to improving their professional performance. Regarding technical procedures, it is exploratory research, of an applied nature and a qualitative approach, as it aims to provide an overview of the impact of professional training actions on the performance of public servants and the subjects of the investigation are the CTA of UniZambeze. It was found that employees annually undergo professional training courses and courses leading to a degree, to respond to new demands, challenges, globalization, behavioral changes, reinforcement of working conditions, improvement of employee qualifications and performance. Therefore, the data indicated that the professional training of CTA employees contributes to their professional development and improved performance.

Epiisopiloturin–Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin inclusion complexes: preparation, characterization, and application in neglected diseases

Karolynne Rodrigues de Melo — 2025-10-04

Context: Pilocarpus microphyllus (Jaborandi) is widely used for extracting pilocarpine, generating biomass rich in secondary metabolites. Among these, epiisopiloturin (EPI) exhibits potential against neglected diseases, in addition to anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects. However, its poor aqueous solubility limits its pharmaceutical application. Objective: To enhance the solubility of EPI by forming an inclusion complex with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) using the freeze-drying technique. Methods: A phase solubility study was conducted to determine the stability constant and stoichiometry. The inclusion complex was prepared via lyophilization and characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and in vitro dissolution testing. Results: Characterization confirmed the formation of the EPI:HPβCD complex, indicating strong interactions between components. The DSC thermogram showed the disappearance of the EPI melting peak, supported by FTIR results, suggesting successful complexation. XRD patterns revealed an amorphous structure. In vitro dissolution demonstrated a marked increase in solubility: 100% of the complexed EPI dissolved within 5 minutes, compared to only 19% of the free compound. Conclusion: Complexation with HPβCD significantly improved the solubility of EPI, reinforcing its potential for development into an innovative pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of neglected diseases.

“The mil aulas tool in moodle for meaningful learning in entrepreneurship and management: A case study in ecuadorian high schools”

Sandra Letty Balón Cantos — 2025-10-04

The rapid and progressive advancement of computerized technology has compelled educational processes to migrate toward learning environments that require the use of digital platforms and tools. These environments foster the exploration and experimentation of contextualized didactic designs, with implications for the development of skills that transcend purely theoretical knowledge. This article aims to analyze the applicability of pedagogical methodologies for implementing collaborative practices among third-year students of the Unified General Baccalaureate (BGU) in Ecuador, specifically within the curricular unit of Entrepreneurship and Management, mediated by the Mil Aulas tool in Moodle. The theoretical framework is grounded in the approaches of Ausubel, 1983 and Siemens, 2004, from a socioconstructivist perspective. Methodologically, a non-experimental, cross-sectional design was adopted within a projective research approach, using a census sample of 90 students from the Tonchigüe High School in Atacames, Ecuador. Based on the average performance across the four groups, the findings indicate that mean scores increased by 90%, rising from 4.88 in the pre-test to 9.28 in the post-test. This result demonstrates a significant improvement in students’ academic performance, strengthening their knowledge of markets and advertising, and contributing to meaningful learning.