Desafios e possibilidades da plataforma educacional EducaSim: usabilidade, aceitação tecnológica e experiência do usuário

Abstract

With the dynamic use of Digital Information and Communication Technologies, digital platforms represent a steppingstone for organizational growth, particularly in how we learn and/or teach. The EducaSim school management platform, the subject of this research, was implemented by the Department of Information and Communication Technology of the Municipal Education Network in the city of João Pessoa. It manages services such as student attendance records, grades, school enrollments, and other functionalities, directly impacting teachers' activities as well as those of other staff members. Thus, the primary objective of our research is to analyze the utility and usage of the EducaSim digital school management platform by teachers in Zone 1 of the Municipal Education Network in João Pessoa. To achieve this, we employed a qualitative approach with exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory purposes, alongside bibliographic and field research procedures. The results indicated that using a digital educational management platform creates certain overload points for its users. However, most users feel confident using it. They recognized that although the EducaSim platform still requires adjustments and improvements, it emerges as an innovative tool that makes reverting to physical records impractical. The sectors highlighted in the research demonstrate a sociotechnical network interwoven with our respondents, the school sectors, and the Municipal Government of João Pessoa. We emphasize the School Monitoring sector, which uses the EducaSim platform to monitor grade entries, lesson plans, and class records from school units, alongside the Divisions of Early Years, Final Years, and Early Childhood Education. Considering this, we developed a practical guide, presenting simplified information on how to use the EducaSim platform, aiming to enable quicker information retrieval, thereby minimizing rework or doubts that may arise. We conclude that in this context, researching and evaluating the impact of digital platforms on school management is essential to foster routines and digital practices that effectively support teachers' daily activities.