Chapters authored
Perspective Chapter: Gamification – Pros and Cons
After the CoVid-19 pandemic lockdown occurred (2020–2021), there have been crucial changes in teaching-learning methodologies, mainly because of the emergency online education format, due to the high demand for online education formats. Long hours of learning in front of a screen besides the stressful environment surrounding the pandemic make it difficult to keep learning motivation high, which shows the need for an urgent change in instructional design. This change includes using interactive and participative methodologies for tackling the anxiety produced by the global health crisis. In this frame, gamification tools have emerged worldwide entailing significant benefits to education. Nevertheless, the overuse of technology can lead to several problems including physiological complications among other things, myopia, diabetes, and coronary disease risk (because of sedentariness) and even addiction. Finally, research proves that an adequate frame around technology use and games inclusion in learning can help diminish or even avoid social problems such as addiction and the resulting concentration problems. Furthermore, in the case of active video gaming, it might be advisable for alleviating sedentary habit-related diseases. Therefore, it is important to reflect on the use of games and its objectives for obtaining the best results from powerful strategic motivators.
Part of the book: Higher Education
Perspective Chapter: Loneliness through Time – Geographical Distance, Sensibility Isolation, and Hyperconnectivity
Human beings are social by nature, and the poverty or lack of social interactions carries significant consequences with loneliness being a concern in a close relation to these interactions. In this sense, social disconnection due to several forms of discrimination has also been a concern, particularly in the context of two related phenomena: geographical distance and social discrimination, there are multiple examples throughout history. For instance, insightful evidence provided by early voyagers emphasizes the need for inclusion. In opposition, the modern society characterized by the wide use of technology has paradoxically allowed social disconnection through the problematic use of technological devices in several contexts, especially in the case of young users. Societies are complex systems in constant change. The dynamics among various elements of society should be the object of constant reflection to keep the balance and solve every social problem as soon as it appears. The potential of technology makes it a very powerful tool for both connection and disconnection. Therefore, it constitutes a priority to focus on the importance of keeping the balance in its usage.
Part of the book: Determinants of Loneliness [Working title]