Digital innovation in the teaching of history: The impact of Genially on Ecuadorian education

Education in Ecuador faced the challenge of modernising and adapting to the digital age, especially in the teaching of history, where student motivation and understanding were traditionally problematic. In this context, the use of interactive tools such as Genially was proposed as an innovative alternative to make learning more dynamic and encourage student participation (Cabero, 2020). Studies such as those by Gómez and López (2020) and Fernández and Ortega (2021) showed that the use of digital resources improved motivation and knowledge retention. At the Vilcabamba High School, 85% of students said they felt more motivated and 78% said they understood historical content better with Genially compared to traditional methods. However, the lack of teacher training and limited access to technological infrastructure made its implementation difficult (Villalta, 2023). The Ecuadorian educational context was regulated by the Organic Law of Intercultural Education (2021) and the General Regulations of the LOEI (2023), which recognised the importance of technology in education. Despite this, problems persisted, such as the digital divide and resistance to methodological change (Guale, 2024). To guarantee a more inclusive and high-quality education, it was considered essential to strengthen teacher training, invest in technological infrastructure and establish strategies that encourage the use of interactive tools in the teaching of history, in line with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) and the 2030 Agenda.