Technologies Applied to Higher Education in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Abstract

La educación superior en la Amazonía ecuatoriana se ha enfrentado históricamente a diversas limitaciones vinculadas a su geografía remota, la escasa infraestructura tecnológica y condiciones socioeconómicas adversas. Ante este contexto, la incorporación de las tecnologías de la información y comunicación (TIC) se ha consolidado como una estrategia clave para garantizar el acceso y la continuidad del proceso educativo en la región. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar, a través de una revisión bibliográfica integrativa, el impacto y los avances en la aplicación de las TIC en la educación superior amazónica, con énfasis en experiencias institucionales y políticas públicas desarrolladas entre 2013 y 2024. Academic sources, institutional repositories and official documents were reviewed under defined inclusion criteria. Among the most relevant findings were the gradual growth of university enrolment, the implementation of platforms such as Moodle and Microsoft Teams in universities such as UEA, and the promotion of government projects aimed at improving connectivity, such as the Infocentres and the Amazon meeting points. Scholarship programmes focused on the development of digital skills were also identified. However, significant challenges remain, such as the digital divide in rural areas, limited ICT teacher training and lack of infrastructure. It is concluded that in order to achieve inclusive and quality higher education in the Amazon region, it is necessary to articulate institutional, community and state efforts to strengthen technological and pedagogical equity in the territory.