Virtual environments as new learning scenarios: the use of online platforms in the academic context

Abstract

Virtual environments have gained their space in contemporary education. These are new learning scenarios that aim to energize academic content. Online platforms are a driving force for pedagogical practice, using innovative resources when using, among other tools, information and communication technologies. In this sense, the purpose of this research is to analyze the technologies applied to education and educational innovation, specifically to the new learning environments that have been developed in the Faculty of Philosophy, Letras y Ciencias de la Educación de la Universidad Técnica de Manabí, based in Portoviejo, Ecuador.Circumstances such as the experience of the pandemic produced by the Covid-19 show that new teaching scenarios should be optimized and enhanced, because it has been shown that today learning occurs not only within the classroom, but also outside the classroom, thanks to the strong development of various technological tools incorporated into the academic process. In this sense, there areresources such as Zoom platforms, Moodle, social networks, the use of Whatsaap and email that have been used with optimal results. Therefore, both teachers and students incorporate technological tools and processes into their educational context to encourage a change in their practice and especially in their thinking.However, its use must be responsible and thoughtful to help both the teaching and the activities that students must perform.