Educational Alternative for Academic Improvement of Free Tuition Recipients at Two Universities in Colombia
Abstract
This study presents an educational alternative aimed at improving the academic performance of students who benefit from Colombia’s free tuition policy at two public higher education institutions: Institución Universitaria Antonio José Camacho and Universidad del Tolima. The research identifies persistent learning deficiencies in mathematics, communication, and language, which often lead to low academic achievement and increased dropout rates among first-year students. To address this issue, a pedagogical model was implemented that integrates technological and virtual tools—particularly the Genially platform—based on the TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) framework.
The study employed a non-experimental mixed-method design supported by the case study methodology. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected to analyze how interactive digital resources and gamified activities influence student motivation, participation, and learning outcomes. Preliminary results from the first phase show that students demonstrated greater engagement, improved comprehension of abstract concepts, and increased persistence in completing academic tasks. The use of virtual tools promoted a dynamic learning environment characterized by autonomy, collaboration, and critical reflection.
The findings suggest that the integration of technological innovation with pedagogical practice contributes to reducing dropout rates and strengthening educational equity for economically vulnerable students. This proposal is grounded in hermeneutic and socio-critical paradigms that emphasize reflection, dialogue, and transformation of the teaching–learning process through praxis. The study concludes that the sustained implementation of this pedagogical model can enhance academic quality, promote inclusive learning environments, and serve as a replicable strategy for other higher education institutions in Latin America.
Keywords: Academic performance, Curriculum theory, Higher education, Pedagogical innovation, Socio-critical paradigm, Student retention, Technological tools, TPACK framework.
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