INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHANGES IN EDUCATION
Research Article
May 26, 2025 1 0

Learning Ecosystem: Designing an Inclusive Space to Enhance the Higher Education Process

Mauricio Xavier Prado Ortega 1 * ,
Silvia Chamba Ojeda 2,
Máxima Centeno Sandoval 3,
Luis Armando Rueda Rodríguez 1,
Franklin Chamba Gómez 1
1 Faculty of Social Sciences, Technical University of Machala, Ecuador2 Faculty of Faculty of Business Administration, Technical University of Machala, Ecuador3 Faculty of Chemical and Health Sciences, Technical University of Machala, Ecuador* Corresponding Author
International Journal of Changes in Education, 2(2), 2025, 104-114, https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024054
Publication date: May 26, 2025
Full Text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the integration of inclusive learning spaces in educational ecosystems, inspired by architect Rosan Bosch, to enhance entrepreneurship and inclusion in higher education. The concept of “ecosystem” is crucial in fostering environments where students, including those with disabilities, can thrive. Using the HomeByMe application, a design is proposed for implementing these spaces in educational institutions. Literature emphasizes the importance of involving diverse stakeholders and using ICT management to promote creativity, cooperation, and effective communication. In Ecuador, inclusion in higher education is a priority, driven by global and national organizations advocating for diversity. The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing participant observation and interviews to explore learning ecologies and inclusion. Results demonstrate that learning ecosystems foster entrepreneurial skills such as problem solving and critical thinking. The study recommends that higher education institutions integrate social dimensions into their policies, use technology for personalized learning, and encourage collaboration among diverse student groups. These efforts aim to create equitable educational opportunities, addressing socio-economic and cultural barriers while promoting an entrepreneurial mindset through interactive and challenging content.

KEYWORDS

learning ecosystem inclusive education higher education entrepreneurship

CITATION (APA)

Ortega, M. X. P., Ojeda, S. C., Sandoval, M. C., Rodríguez, L. A. R., & Gómez, F. C. (2025). Learning Ecosystem: Designing an Inclusive Space to Enhance the Higher Education Process. International Journal of Changes in Education, 2(2), 104-114. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024054
Harvard
Ortega, M. X. P., Ojeda, S. C., Sandoval, M. C., Rodríguez, L. A. R., and Gómez, F. C. (2025). Learning Ecosystem: Designing an Inclusive Space to Enhance the Higher Education Process. International Journal of Changes in Education, 2(2), pp. 104-114. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024054
Vancouver
Ortega MXP, Ojeda SC, Sandoval MC, Rodríguez LAR, Gómez FC. Learning Ecosystem: Designing an Inclusive Space to Enhance the Higher Education Process. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2025;2(2):104-14. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024054
AMA
Ortega MXP, Ojeda SC, Sandoval MC, Rodríguez LAR, Gómez FC. Learning Ecosystem: Designing an Inclusive Space to Enhance the Higher Education Process. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2025;2(2), 104-114. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024054
Chicago
Ortega, Mauricio Xavier Prado, Silvia Chamba Ojeda, Máxima Centeno Sandoval, Luis Armando Rueda Rodríguez, and Franklin Chamba Gómez. "Learning Ecosystem: Designing an Inclusive Space to Enhance the Higher Education Process". International Journal of Changes in Education 2025 2 no. 2 (2025): 104-114. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024054
MLA
Ortega, Mauricio Xavier Prado et al. "Learning Ecosystem: Designing an Inclusive Space to Enhance the Higher Education Process". International Journal of Changes in Education, vol. 2, no. 2, 2025, pp. 104-114. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52024054

REFERENCES

  1. Mendoza, E. R., & Suárez-Guerrero, C. (2021). Ecosistemas locales de aprendizaje ante la globalización tecnológica. Retos de los modelos educativos digitales pospandemia [Placing local learning ecosystems at the forefront of technological globalization: Challenges faced by post-pandemic digital educational models]. RIITE Revista Interuniversitaria de Investigación en Tecnología Educativa, (11), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.6018/riite.503001
  2. de Brito Salazar, C., Gómez, M. E. P., & Rodríguez, R. S. (2022). Ecosistema digital de Educación 4.0. Una propuesta de innovación para la formación universitaria [Digital ecosystem of Education 4.0.An innovation proposal for university education]. REFCalE: Revista Electrónica Formación y Calidad Educativa, 10(2), 187–200.
  3. Álvarez-Arregui, E., & Arreguit, X. (2019). El futuro de la universidad y la universidad del futuro. Ecosistemas de formación continua para una sociedad de aprendizaje y enseñanza sostenible y responsable [The future of the university and the university of the future: Continuing education ecosystems for a sustainable and responsible learning and teaching society]. Aula Abierta, 48(4), 447–480. https://doi.org/10.17811/rifie.48.4.2019.447-480
  4. Charte, F., Rivera, A. J., Medina, J., & Espinilla, M. (2020). El ecosistema de aprendizaje del estudiante universitario en la post-pandemia [The university student learning ecosystem in the post-pandemic era]. Enseñanza y Aprendizaje de Ingeniería de Computadores, (10), 15–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.30827/Digibug.64779
  5. Law, N. W. Y., Woo, D. J., de la Torre, J., & Wong, K. W. G. (2018). A global framework of reference on digital literacy skills for indicator 4.4.2 (Information Paper No. 51). https://uis.unesco.org/sites/default/files/documents/ip51-global-framework-reference-digital-literacy-skills-2018-en.pdf
  6. Mallea, I. P., & Ruiz, L. (2020). Ecosistemas digitales de aprendizaje: Un diseño para la Universidad de las Ciencias Informáticas [Digital learning ecosystems: A design for the University of Computer Science]. Serie Científica de la Universidad de las Ciencias Informáticas, 13(4), 77–88.
  7. Castro, W. R. A., Suárez, A. A. G., & Prada-Núñez, R. (2021). Hacia una comprensión de las relaciones de interdependencia en el ecosistema de aprendizaje [Toward an understanding of interdependence relationships in the learning ecosystem]. Boletín Redipe, 10(6), 152–170. https://doi.org/10.36260/rbr.v10i6.1317
  8. Islas Torres, C. (2019). Los ecosistemas de aprendizaje y estudiantes universitarios: Una propuesta de abordaje sistémico [Learning ecosystems and university students: A proposal for a systemic approach]. Revista de psicología y ciencias del comportamiento de la Unidad Académica de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales, 10(2), 172–186.
  9. Martí Maranillo, R., Gisbert, M., & Larraz, V. (2018). Ecosistemas tecnológicos de aprendizaje y gestión educativa. Características estratégicas para un diseño eficiente [Technological ecosystems for learning and educational management: Strategic characteristics for an efficient design]. Edutec: Revista Electrónica de Tecnología Educativa, (64), 1–17.
  10. del Valle Díaz, M. S., Dorado Suarez, A., Jiménez Zazo, F., & Perea, M. R. (2021). El centro educativo como ecosistema de aprendizaje. No, al “fastfood” educativo [Learning ecosystem school. Stop educational “fastfood”]. Retos, 41, 638–647. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v0i41.86073
  11. Scanavino, G. (2023). Espacios de aprendizaje: Sistema de objetos aplicado a la arquitectura educativa contemporánea [Learning spaces: Object system applied to contemporary educational architecture]. Anales de Investigación en Arquitectura, 13(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.18861/ania.2023.13.1.3330
  12. Hernandez Suarez, C. A., Prada Nuñez, R., & Gamboa Suárez, A. A. (2021). Gestión tecnológica estratégica: Uso del ecosistema de la Web social 2.0 en educación superior [Strategic technological management: use of the social Web 2.0 ecosystem in higher education]. Revista Venezolana de Gerencia, 26(5), 72–92. https://doi.org/10.52080/rvgluz.26.e5.6
  13. Hernández, G., & Valencia, O. (2023). Conectividad de alumnos como elemento de su ecosistema de aprendizaje durante la pandemia: Estudio de caso Universidad Pedagógica Veracruzana [Student connectivity as an element of their learning ecosystem during the pandemic: Case study Universidad Pedagógica Veracruzana]. Revista Innova Educación, 5(1), 7–22. https://doi.org/10.35622/j.rie.2022.05.001
  14. Pérez, G. B., Escofet Roig, A., & López Costa, M. (2019). Diseño y validación de un instrumento para medir las dimensiones ambiental, pedagógica y digital del aula [Design and validation of an instrument for measuring the classroom’s environmental, pedagogical, and digital dimensions]. Revista Mexicana de Investigación Educativa, 24(83), 1055–1075.
  15. Álvarez, G., & Nadal, J. C. (2019). Escenarios de aprendizaje diseñados en conjunto por estudiantes y docentes en la universidad: El caso de la asignatura Tecnología Educativa [Learning scenarios jointly designed by students and teachers in the university: The case of the Educational Technology subject]. Virtualidad, Educación y Ciencia, 10(19), 57–74. https://doi.org/10.60020/1853-6530.v10.n19.24917
  16. Civís Zaragoza, M., Esteban-Guitart, M., & Collet Sabé, J. (2023). Presentación del número especial de RED: “Nuevos retos, nuevas alianzas: Universidades y ecosistemas educativos presenciales y virtuales” [Presentation of the RED special number: “New challenges, new alliances: Universities and inperson and virtual educational ecosystems”]. Red: Revista de Educación a Distancia, 23(74), 1. https://doi.org/10.6018/red.557741
  17. Clavijo Castillo, R. G., & Bautista-Cerro, M. J. (2020). La educación inclusiva. Análisis y reflexiones en la educación superior ecuatoriana [Inclusive education. Analysis and reflections on Ecuadorian higher education]. Alteridad: Revista de Educación, 15(1), 113–124. https://doi.org/10.17163/alt.v15n1.2020.09
  18. Bartolomé, D., Martínez, L., & García, V. V. (2021). La inclusión en la educación superior ecuatoriana: Algunas iniciativas [Inclusion in Ecuadorian higher education: Some initiatives]. Revista Espacios, 42(9), 57–68. https://doi.org/10.48082/espacios-a21v42n09p05
  19. Pérez Castro, J. (2022). Dilemas de la inclusión y discapacidad en la educación superior [Dilemmas of inclusion and disability in higher education]. Perfiles Educativos, 44(175), 132–149. https://doi.org/10.22201/iisue.24486167e.2022.175.60179
  20. Brito, S., Porra, L. B., & Reyes Ochoa, L. (2019). Inclusión social/educativa, en clave de educación superior [Social/educational inclusion in the key of higher education]. Revista Latinoamericana de Educación Inclusiva, 13(2), 157–172. http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-73782019000200157
  21. González, R. R. (2018). El proceso de formación humanista de los profesionales de Cultura Física [The process of humanist education in Physical Culture professionals]. Revista Educación, 42, 700–710. https://doi.org/10.15517/revedu.v42i2.27920
  22. Chan de Avila, J., Peter, S. G., & Galindo, M. Z. (2013). Inclusión social y equidad en las inclusión de educación superior de América Latina [Social inclusion and equity in Higher Education Institutions of Latin America]. ISEES: Inclusión Social y Equidad en la Educación Superior, (13), 129–146.
  23. Partal, P. C., Gorjup, M. T., & Vigier, H. P. (2023). Medición de la inclusión en la educación superior [Inclusion assessment in higher education]. RAES-Revista Argentina de Educación Superior, (26), 12–29.
  24. Cárdenas Peña, O. A. (2021). Diseño y construcción de un ecosistema digital: Estrategias para articular la información y la formación policial [Design and construction of a digital ecosystem: Strategies to articulate police information and training]. Revista Logos Ciencia & Tecnología, 13(3), 71–85. https://doi.org/10.22335/rlct.v13i3.1417
  25. Hernández-Sellés, N. (2021). Herramientas que facilitan el aprendizaje colaborativo en entornos virtuales: Nuevas oportunidades para el desarrollo de las ecologías digitales de aprendizaje [Tools that facilitate collaborative learning in virtual environments: New opportunities for the development of digital learning ecologies]. Educatio Siglo XXI, 39(2), 81–100. https://doi.org/10.6018/educatio.465741
  26. Arango, P. M., & Barahona, M. (2017). Rosan Bosch: Cambiando el mundo desde dentro [Rosan Bosch: Changing the world from within]. Diseño Interior, (288), 46–54.
  27. Marschark, M., & Spencer, P. E. (2010). The Oxford handbook of deaf studies, language, and education (Vol. 2). USA: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195390032.001.0001
  28. Crume, P. K. (2013). Teachers’ perceptions of promoting sign language phonological awareness in an ASL/English bilingual program. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 18(4), 464–488. https://doi.org/10.1093/deafed/ent023
  29. Garberoglio, C. L., Guerra, D. H., Sanders, G. T., & Cawthon, S. W. (2020). Community-driven strategies for improving postsecondary outcomes of deaf people. American Annals of the Deaf, 165(3), 369–392. https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/aad.2020.0024
  30. Skliar, C. (1997). La educación de los sordos: Una reconstrucción histórica, cognitiva y pedagógica [The education of the deaf: A historical , cognitive, and pedagogical reconstruction]. Argentina: Ediunc.
  31. Murillo Rojas, R. (2022). Ecosistema digital, el rol del docente en la actualidad [Digital ecosystem, the role of the teacher today]. Revista Arjé, 5(1), 29–54. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6950390

LICENSE

Creative Commons License
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.