Utilising interactive applications as educational tools in higher education: Perspectives from teachers and students, and an analysis of academic outcomes

Abstract

Our students belong to a highly digitised generation with easy and rapid access to information. They are dependent on technology and tend to become bored quickly. There is an ongoing debate regarding the need to reconsider our teaching methods in order to capture the attention of our students. This study surveyed both students and teachers on the subject of online teaching and its impact on university education. Additionally, it explored issues related to integrating interactive applications in education. These applications are considered essential tools in combating student boredom and disinterest. They also enable teachers to receive valuable feedback, which was highlighted as critically important by educators in the survey. In this context, we conducted a study within a chemical engineering program at a Spanish university. We examined the use of four different interactive applications (Kahoot!, Wooclap, Classflow, Moodle) and compared the results with those from previous years when only one of these applications was employed. This study aimed to determine how using multiple applications led to increased student participation, driven by avoiding monotony, resulting in improved academic performance.