Innovative Scenarios in the Teaching and Learning Process : A View From the Implementation of Virtual Platforms

In this research article an analysis and evaluation of virtual learning spaces is carried out. To address this process, three (3) academic virtual platforms were selected, Moodle, Blackboard and Jimdo. The methodology used was of a descriptive type, applying the synchronous and asynchronous methods of virtual teaching established in each of the Institutions. A description and evaluation of each virtual platform was carried out taking into account four identified criteria: the technical and material design; instructional design; tutorial action and the virtual class. The evaluation using educational platforms generated scenarios of innovation from the social view since it allowed both the teacher and student to rethink the evaluation not only as an instrument but as a transversal process linked to different fields such as: social, cultural, economic, etc.

action and the virtual class.

Educational Virtual Platforms in Virtual Learning Spaces: A Perpective From the Evaluation Processes
The continuous changes that have arisen in the world and in modern society in relation to technology are related to technological development, generating new spaces of communication and therefore ways of investigating, interacting, sharing and representing the world in different ways (Bustos & Coll, 2010;Díaz, 2005).Consequently, these changes related to the technology surrounding society overturns multiple fields such as: Political, environmental, educational among others; particularly in the field of education, these changes linked with technology, try to support the teaching and learning process through technological tools such as virtual educational platforms.
In education, the linkage of new technologies has been possible thanks to the use of the internet, specifically the www (World Wide Web) has allowed the articulation of face-to-face education with integrated elements to online aids in its various forms such as B-Learning, E-Learning among others.Today there are many studies or distance learning centers designed at all levels and types of education (Elementary, secondary, higher education among others).The purpose of the integration of technology in the educational field is to strengthen the learning process of students, so that integrating and / or using the different virtual spaces in the learning process is an alternative that the professor has in the pedagogical practice.According to Enriquez, De Oliveira, and Valencia (2017) the process of reflection by professors regarding the integration of pedagogical tools is important for the student's learning process.
The virtual educational platforms are linked to the content that you want to teach about certain topics; however, they try to promote the relationship between the content and the way of approaching them using the elements immersed in our current society; that is, using those technological tools such as the computer, cell phone, tablet, etc. beyond a mere communication that can often remain in a "communication of friends or family", generating the link of these elements in the teaching and learning process with clear purposes established by the professor.
Given the above, countries and organizations establish ways of work that aim to achieve better educational achievements based on real changes and transformations that result in the quality of educational processes (Biggs, 2005).It is from this that educational virtual platforms emerge as new scenarios, where students and professors interact in different ways, thus allowing the development of new competences in students.
On the other hand, one of the aspects to take into account is the evaluation that should be established on the use and implementation of virtual educational platforms in the teaching and learning process, which is related to criteria that are established through a didactic contract where the student and professor are the protagonists of it.
In this study, the evaluation that was built from the valoration process on the educational virtual platforms where an adaptation of the different criteria was made in each of them, resulting in some guidelines that will serve as a guide for this process.Consequently, it will be reflected from three virtual platforms, which are understood as tools that give new meanings to learning as they contain codes, languages and symbols that determine meanings and ways of seeing the world different from traditional ones (Díaz, 2005;Moral & Villalustre, 2009;Abarca, 2009;Bustos & Coll, 2010).
The first criteria established is the technical design and the materials.It consists of evaluating the aesthetic design of the home page or source, the number and the quality of icons, also includes the aspects related to the ease that the user has to find each of the tools and information of the course as well as the presentation of the contents (Moral & Villalustre, 2009;Abarca, 2009).On the other hand, Santoveña (2010) mentions that the quality of the presented resources and technical requirements should also be taken into account, as well as the complementary services understood as administrative management, general information, news and agenda of activities and spaces or recreational activities.
The second criteria established is the instructional design.They are framed aspects such as the presentation of the objectives within elements such as study guides and the course information itself; flexibility of the didactic contents (Abarca, 2009), understood as the possibility of using information in different environments; types of individual and collaborative activities proposed, related to the quality of synchronous activities (chats, live videoconferences) and asynchronous (forums, E-mail, Webquest, Weblogs); suitability of activities for the achievement of objectives, understanding as the knowledge construction process; coherence between content, objectives, activities and evaluation; and finally, the forms of evaluation proposed in terms of the modality (formative) and the ways of achieving it (facilitator evaluation, self-evaluation, Co-evaluation) are considered relevant (Colmenares, 2012).
The third criteria is the tutorial action, which involves aspects such as the construction of knowledge from previous knowledge; promotion of communication; development of a virtual community (Abarca, 2009); customization of the accompaniment; professor´s roles (Santoveña, 2010) that involve pedagogical aspects such as accompanying, guiding, instruct; and operational aspects such as communicating, motivating, evaluating, providing resources and information and giving support (Moral & Villalustre, 2009;Colmenares, 2012).
The fourth criteria established is the virtual class.It is the nodal point for the participation of the students in the course; This criteria must contain the following key elements: first, a learning path that allows the student to access the information in the times and spaces appropriate to each space (weeks, months or modules); video or written communications in which the tutor or guide of the process is in permanent contact with the student and not only during the first sessions (Abarca, 2009).

Metodology
Our objective in this study was to analyze educational virtual platforms, where they were initially characterized and then evaluated using different criteria such as: technical design, materials design, instruction design; tutorial action and the virtual class.The methodology used was of a qualitative descriptive type where the synchronous and asynchronous methods of virtual teaching established in each university were applied (Creeswell, 2005).
On the other hand, it is essential to name the universities that were part of this study as well as the educational virtual platforms that were used, as they are presented below:
In relation to the above, it is important to highlight that the evaluation of educational virtual platforms was carried out, taking into account four criteria: technical design, materials design, design of instruction and tutorial action design and virtual class.

Presentation and Discussion of the Results
For the analysis of the academic virtual platforms, three tables were done in which the characterization and evaluation were done taking into account the aforementioned criteria; that is, writing the different characteristics of the environment in each selected aspect, as well as in the lower categories.It was necessary to represent it in this way because it facilitated making judgments and determining the different aspects related to strengths, but also the weaknesses, threats and opportunities that will allow suggest changes and highlight positive aspects in each learning environment and in general.Next, the evaluation application tables are related to each one of the educational virtual platforms.

Esthetic design
Esthetically the program is simple, basic colors (yellow and blue) and with large print, the menus are easy to access and obvious at first glance, at first glance you will find the tools and tabs where all the aspects of the course are.

Quantity and quality of the icons
In the course, at first, it is easy to see small icons that indicate each of the tools, although they are even smaller than the letter of the text.They are showy but it is not easy to identify a tool just by the icon.
Ease to find the tools The tools of the course are located on the far left of the screen and although they are few (only four) they are very easy to see.

Presentation of contents
The contents are evidenced somewhat confusingly, in the "activities" tab where they are given in chronological order according to the delivery date.The content is little since it only indicates the information of the course, the activities and the explanation, the objectives and other relevant information; Each activity is programmed and selected from the beginning and can be seen from the first day of the course.

Administrative management
There is no evidence of access to services other than students´s mail and the sending of messages to the professor.

General information
It is clear and well discriminated within each part of the course.

News
There is a place but no additional information is published, only the original information designed for the course.

Activity agenda
It is clear, the activity is given, the date and what each of them consists of, as well as the means of delivery.

Instructional design
Presentation of the objectives

Guides
The guides are the activities explained step by step with the possibility of access to the basic material immediately.

Course information
It is clear and complete.

Possibility of use in another environment
Activities Individual There are four individual activities (essays, reports, course evaluation and debate) Collaborative Three collaborative activities were stipulated (analysis report of learning environments)

Synchronous
There is no chat within the platform in the course.

Asynchronous
There is a general forum and one for each collaborative activity; as well as the possibility of sending emails to each participant and the professor.

Evaluation
It is given through the delivery of the assignment and Co-evaluation to the professor.

Constructivist
The course in general does not take into account the previous learning of the participants since it requires readings.
Although it is necessary that the student has skills to access and use the course properly.

Communication
The professor is in weekly communication to infrom about the activities to be done as well as to motivate the work within the stipulated times.

virtual community development
The level of interaction is of an informative nature and mostly seeks to agree with the participants.

Personalization of the tutorial
The tutorial is personalized since the professor takes care of each group and individual in particular when new developments and questions arise from the students.

Professor´s role
Guide, motivator, and evaluator.It is the person who guides in case of technical difficulties or with the course.

Virtual class
Learning path (months or weeks clearly established) It is very clear from the beginning, all the activities are predefined, with the resources and the procedures to be executed in the stipulated time.

Video or written communication
It has an introduction in video to each activity that shows the objective, which it is only part of the initial information.

Esthetic design
Esthetically the design is simple, clear and functional, with white background colors, some gray tones and mostly black letters.The icons are simple but clear and visible.

Quantity and quality of the icons
The platform is scarce in icons with a tendency to simplicity, little graphic illustration of the icons, since they are mostly textual, nevertheless they are clear and visible to the user.
Ease to find the tools Navigation on the platform is easy, it is just a matter of practicing frequently.The distribution of the tools on the platform is described as an attractive technique.

Presentation of contents
The contents are presented in a clear, specific, relevant manner and with audiovisual resources.
There are general announcements of the course and functional communication channels.

General services
Administrative management The services are monitored and evaluations are common through surveys that the user answers about those services.

General information
The information is accessible, accurate, relevant, clear and sufficient.

News
They are expressed as advertisements and are visibly on the platform.

Activity agenda
With sufficient information, easily accessible, with clear activities, date, necessary resources and the procedure to be followed.

Recreational activities Does not apply
Instructional design

Guides
In the icon of the calendar and program you have the description of the activity, the corresponding procedure, the resources you can access to and the deadline.

Course information
It is completed, with enough information, easy to access and relevant.There are some didactic design missing.

Possibility of use in another environment
The contents are downloadable and most of them can be used for other pedagogical environments such as bibliographic references.

Individual
There are individual activities such as the commitment or code of ethics, mastery of technological resources, tests, reports and evaluation of the course.

Collaborative
Collaborative activities are stipulated as the course forum, team forum, and sessions for specific topics, group evaluations and team work.
In addition, communication channels are made possible among the members of the course through institutional e-mail or internal mail.

Synchronous
There is no chat within the platform.

Asynchronous
There is a general forum and one for each collaborative activity; as well as the possibility of sending emails to each participant and the professor.

Evaluation
It is done through the delivery of the assignments and Co-evaluation to the professor.

Constructivist
The course in general does not take into account the previous learning of the participants.

Communication
The professor is in weekly communication to inform about the activities to be done as well as to motivate the work within the stipulated times.

Virtual community development
The level of interactions is of an informative nature and mostly seeks to agree with the participants.

Personalization of the tutorial
The tutorial is personalized since the professor takes care of each group and each student in particular when new developments and questions arise from the students.

Professor´s role
Guide, motivator, and evaluator.It is the person who guides in case of technical difficulties or with the course.

Virtual class
Learning path (months or weeks clearly established) It is very clear from the beginning, all the activities are predefined, with the resources at the user's hand and with the procedures to be executed in the stipulated time.

Video or written communication
It has an introduction in video to each activity that shows the objective of it.It is only part of the initial information.

Table 3. Application of the virtual classroom assessment tool in Jimdo Esthetic design
Attractive and very visible page, it presents variety in its form, the menus are easy to access.The information is distributed in such a way that it is visible and clear to the reader.It is organized in the before and after where you can find activities of the previous semesters and the current ones.It also gives the option to download some text if necessary.

Quantity and quality of the icons
It has icons visible to the reader and easily accessible.
Ease to find the tools The tools are located on the right side of the screen, they are easily accessible and the information provided is relevant according to the selected course.

Presentation of contents
The contents are easily accessible, the information that is required and what is needed is clearly displayed.You have access to a lot of information that is diverse and varied.Besides being varied, it presents the activities that must be done by the students enrolled in the courses.The delivery dates for each of the participants are clearly presented.

Administrative management
Little, there are only some links for questions.The professor's email is available to clear doubts.

General information
It is clear, relevant, and enough.It is specific in what to do.

News
On the platform the news are expressed as advertisements and they are on the right side of the platform (reminders, etc).

Activity agenda
It is not clearly identified, however it is located within each established CCP: Comprehensive Course Plan.

Recreational activities
There are some recreational activities on the right side of the platform.

Instructional design
Presentation of the objectives Guides Clear and very descriptive, these correspond to each of the CCPs of each program.

Course information
There is a lot of information about the courses established in each program.

Possibility of use in another environment
It is posible because you can download the files.

Individual
There are some activities to be done but they do not specify if they are individual or in group.Among them are: essays, papers, concept maps, summaries.

Collaborative
Activities are not clear, they are only presented and agreed during the pedagogical agreement.The exhibitions are organized according to pedagogical agreement.

Communication Synchronous
Does not have any kind of instant communication.

Asynchronous
There is a possibility of exchanging information in different times and spaces.

Evaluation
It has a table of grades and time for tutoring.

Constructivist
The tutorials are already planned and scheduled.However, there is a space called Pedagogical Agreement where, in agreement with the students, they define the methodology and the type of evaluation to be followed.

Communication
The communication is permanent and accurately on both sides.

Virtual community development
The level of interactions is of an informative nature and mostly seeks to agree with the participants.

Personalization of the tutorial
The tutorial is aimed at addressing doubts or concerns that arise throughout the week or the course.

Professor´s role
Guide, motivator, and evaluator.It is the person who guides in case of technical difficulties or with the course.

Learning path (months or weeks clearly established)
The orientation of the course is planned by tutorials according to the estimated time for the course.

Video or written communication
There is a fairly high percentage of videos provided to strengthen the themes scheduled each week.

Communication
The communication is permanent and accurately on both sides.

Virtual community development
The level of interactions is of an informative nature and mostly seeks to agree with the participants.

Personalization of the tutorial
The tutorial is aimed at addressing doubts or concerns that arise throughout the week or the course.
Professor's role Guide, motivator, and evaluator.It is the person who guides in case of technical difficulties or with the course.

Learning path (months or weeks clearly
The orientation of the course is planned by tutorials according to the estimated time for the course.

established) Video or written communication
There is a fairly high percentage of videos provided to strengthen the themes scheduled each week.
In relation to the above, the evaluation criteria focused on the academic virtual platforms mentioned above are determined as follows:

Technical Design and Materials
In this aspect it is evident that the information presented is easily visible, clear and esthetically pleasing; the presentation of the icons is difficult to visualize in two of the platforms, but in the other one it is very easy to see and use; the tools of the course are simple to find in all three platforms.Regarding the presentation of the contents, clarity, relevance and audiovisual resources were generally noted in them, in addition to the delivery date of the activities.The complementary services are manifested in surveys to users regarding levels of satisfaction of the course design and tutorial action, messages to the professor, course information, platform announcements and very few recreational activities (only in one of the platforms activities of this type are proposed).

Instructional Design
The objectives are clearly and completely demonstrated in the three virtual platforms within the presentation of the course information, as well as in the development of the learning guides and activities of the course.The resources can be used in other platforms because they are portable and accessible from devices such as tablets or cell phones with Internet access.The activities in two of the courses are clearly discriminated as group or individual, in one of them they are given by pedagogical agreement and in general they are essays, reports, test type evaluations and forums.Regarding synchronous communication, it does not exist within the course in any of the platforms, it has the e-mail and the forum for each activity.The evaluation is given through the professor's feedback and test-type questionnaires.

Tutorial action
In two of the courses it is evident that the students' previous learning is not taken into account due to the fact that readings and reports based on given information must be made (although the student needs previous skills), in one of the environments a pedagogical agreement is given in which methodologies and agreed evaluation are defined.The communication is weekly and constant in case of problems with the students or clarifications.The type of communication seeks to inform students and not the creation of a learning community based on arguments.Regarding the tutorials of the professor, personalized attention is shown to each participant according to the questions raised.The roles of the professor are in general guiding, motivating, evaluating and is who guides in case of technical difficulties or with the course.

Virtual class
The activities (learning path) are described from the beginning of the course in two of the platforms, in one of them is given by agreements at the beginning of it.The audiovisual communication is evident for each activity but during the courses it is not renewed or fed with this type of tools.

Conclusions
The virtual educational platforms are innovative scenarios in the teaching and learning process since they are "new" elements that the teacher must integrate in practice, thus generating strengthening in the student's learning.However, the implementation of educational virtual platforms as scenarios of innovation leads us to recognize that these are means and not purposes for the learning of different contents linked to the course plans; that is, they are mediating tools.
Thus, the weaknesses found are in the design of educational virtual platforms, being simple, it lacks from more educational and pleasant illustration.Although the tutorials by the professors of the course are interesting, they can be improved integrating strategies that allow the professor to be more directly involved with the user, it does not contain interactive activities that can be learned online.Resources that can support the consolidation of content are left aside.Forums are used as non-academic communication tools and their academic use is blurred.
There is no communication in video, audio or any other from the one written.The design of the forum in Moodle does not handle a hierarchical order as it happens in Blackboard, which prevents to keep an order in the conversation easily.
The opportunities are related to the fact that with the technological advances in information and communication there will always be the possibility of innovation in the platforms, the amount of external diverse information can be exploited by the environment for power learning and the tools of synchronous communication can be used as support tools in the learning process, among them the use of Skype, Gmail chat, social networks, wikis such as Google Drive, Applets, interactive games among others.
Among the threats found is the insecurity of the personal data of each user, the possibility of fraud in the activities and academic work as well as the impersonation of unethical students in the process.Another aspect that often happens is the errors presented in the servers or service providers of the platform, but also failures in the times by the professors or facilitators that prevent the feedback of the activities done by the students.The lack of experience on the part of the users could cause errors in the feedback of the activities and generate demotivation in the students, as well as the lack of clear rules regarding the use of the communication tools and language to be used.
The three learning environments presented in this document, when evaluated, conclude that they are relevant in many of the elements proposed as evaluation criteria, specifically in aspects such as the presentation of the course, the presentation of the information, the definition of the learning path, feedback by the professor.This allows us to affirm that this is a space in which the student can feel comfortable and close (Díaz, 2005).But it is also a tool designed for virtual interaction that opens the door to the future.
The learning environments could be improved if elements such as the most direct interaction of the professor, improvement in the designs and esthetics of some environments, and communication tools such as chat, videoconference, and wikis are taken into account; although this could be treated through the use of applications and programs easily accessible and recognized as Google Drive, Skype and other tools present on the Web.

Table 1 .
Application of the Virtual Classroom Assessment tool in the Moodle Platform

Table 2 .
Application of the virtual classroom assessment tool in Blackboard