Resumen de The virtual learning environment as an educational resource for teaching biology in secondary education

Jorge Washington Valarezo Castro, Rosman José Paucar Córdova, O. Santos, K. Guaicha, C. Loaiza, Daniel Delgado

• The present article arises from the research project carried out by the Technical University of Machala located in the province of El Oro. Ecuador, which values the use of digital educational resources in Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) and how they strengthen the teaching and learning process in secondary education. For this purpose, the Moodle platform was taken as a reference, considering its advantages in the creation of digital educational resources. As object of study was taken the High School "Ismael Perez Pazmiño" located in the same city in which a virtual learning environment was implemented to strengthen the teaching - learning of the subject of Biology taking into account the use of effective strategies that enhance collaborative work in these environments. The content design was based on those established by the Ministry of Education of Ecuador, applying the TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) model. The research has a quantitative-qualitative approach with an exploratory level. The survey, interview and direct observation were used as data collection instruments with the respective statistical analysis. The sample was made up of 120 students and 8 teachers of the Biology subject. The results obtained on the use, degree of satisfaction and collaborative work (teachers and students) on the platform were positive, showing a high degree of motivation and interest in learning the proposed learning content, enhancing cognitive skills and achieving significant learning.