Technology in Higher Education: A Collaborative Innovation Ecosystem Model

The current reality places technology at the forefront of the educational communication process, especially considering the health emergency brought on by COVID-19. Creating mechanisms to facilitate the continuity of teaching represented one of the greatest challenges during the pandemic. A collaborative, innovative ecosystem model targeted towards the teaching-learning process is developed. An exploratory, descriptive study with a mixed-methods approach is conducted; cases from universities in Colombia, Panama, Peru, and the Dominican Republic are examined, surveys are implemented, and classroom and university experiences are recounted. Each study experience generates a space for teachers to discuss and reflect on the students’ progress and the methodologies applied for flexibility and adaptability to available information technologies. In this way, the foundation for a collaborative innovation ecosystem is proposed to organically strengthen student knowledge through articulated structures, functional relationships, and supportive methods and procedures. An active control system is also proposed to ensure meaningful learning. This experience leaves alternative options for all universities and the education system for health emergencies that prevent face-to-face interaction, taking advantage of new information technologies and the era of artificial intelligence.