Inclusive practices in digital environments: the virtual classroom as a space for intercultural dialogue in recreation and Physical Education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v72.117464

Keywords:

Digital inclusion, interculturality, Physical Education, recreation, virtual classroom

Abstract

Introduction: Inclusive education in digital environments is presented as a global challenge, whose value lies in facilitating access and promoting equity in participation across diverse contexts.

Objective: To analyze how inclusive practices in digital environments, through the virtual classroom, foster intercultural dialogue in recreation and physical education contexts in Ecuador.

Methodology: The study was framed within a quantitative approach at a correlational level and included an exploratory component.

Results: The findings show that 78.5% of students and 85% of teachers stated that educational platforms such as Moodle, Google Classroom, and Microsoft Teams have a positive impact on the integration of inclusive digital tools in the virtual classroom.

Discussion: The results of this research reveal similarities with other studies confirming that the virtual classroom constitutes a suitable space for strengthening intercultural dialogue in the field of physical education and recreation.

Conclusions: The results showed that most participants perceived the virtual classroom as a resource that facilitated both academic interaction and the understanding of diverse cultural perspectives.

References

Apolo, D., Melo, M., Solano, J. & Aliaga, F. (2020). Pending issues from digital inclusion in Ecuador: challenges for public policies, programs and projects developed and ICT-mediated teacher training. Digital Education Review, (37), 130 – 153. https://doi.org/10.1344/der.2020.37.130-153

Arteaga, Y., Guaña, J., Zambrano, R., Cajamarca, D. & Quinatoa, E. (2025). Challenges and Opportunities in the Implementation of Inclusive Education in Latin America: A Comprehensive Analysis with a Focus on Ecuador. Journal of Posthumanism, 5(7), 1313–1324. https://doi.org/10.63332/joph.v5i7.2924

Bisquerra, R. (2009). Metodología de la investigación educativa (2.ª ed.). Madrid: La Muralla.

Creed, C., Al – Kalbani, M., Theil, A., Sarcar, S. & Williams, I. (2023). Inclusive AR/VR: Accessibility Bar-riers for Immersive Technologies. Universal Access in the Information Society, 23, 59 – 73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-023-00969-0

Dooly, M. & Vinagre, M. (2021). Research into practice: Virtual exchange in language teaching and learning. Language Teaching, 55(3), 392-406. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/language-teaching/article/research-into-practice-virtual-exchange-in-language-teaching-and-learning/022539C1A95D665F8792D92D1E63E091

Hernández, R., Fernández, C., & Baptista, P. (2014). Metodología de la investigación (6.ª ed.). México: McGraw-Hill.

Maldonado, V., Sánchez, J., Hernández, B., Acosta, P. & Araujo, E. (2025). Physical Accessibility in High-er Education: Evaluating a University Campus in Ecuador for Sustainable Inclusion. Sustainabil-ity, 17(12), 5652. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17125652

Mena, A., López, L., Bernal, C. & Ballesteros, C. (2025). Educational Transformation Through Emerging Technologies: Critical Review of Scientific Impact on Learning. Education Sciencies, 15(3), 368. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15030368

Muñoz, P., Hernández, N., Fuentes, E. & González, M. (2021). Factors influencing students’ perceived impact of learning and satisfaction in Computer Supported Collaborative Learning. Computers and Education, 174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104310

Navas, C., Guerra, J., Oviedo, D. & Murillo, D. (2025). Inclusive education through technology: a system-atic review of types, tools and characteristics. Frontiers in Education, 10, 1 – 22. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1527851

Neira, A., Uyaguari, Y., Daza, M. & Bravo, M. (2025). Educación inclusiva en entornos digitales: estrate-gias para atender la diversidad en plataformas virtuales. Polo del Conocimiento, 10(3), 1522 – 1539. https://www.polodelconocimiento.com/ojs/index.php/es/article/view/9140

O’Dowd, R. (2021). Virtual exchange: moving forward into the next decade. Computer Assisted Lan-guage Learning, 34(3), 209–224. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2021.1902201

Ouyang, F. & Zhang, L. (2024). AI-driven learning analytics applications and tools in computer-supported collaborative learning: A systematic review. Educational Research Review, 44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2024.100616

Pérez, C. & Reeves, E. (2023). Educación inclusiva digital: Una revisión bibliográfica actualizada. Las brechas digitales en la educación inclusiva. Actualidades Investigativas en Educación 23(3), 3-28. https://dx.doi.org/10.15517/aie.v23i3.54680

Revilla, A., Zamora, S., Zamora, M. & Sánchez, S. (2025). La educación inclusiva en la era digital: retos y oportunidades para la enseñanza de estudiantes con discapacidades en entornos virtuales. Re-vista Científica De Innovación Educativa Y Sociedad Actual "ALCON", 5(3), 209–217. https://doi.org/10.62305/alcon.v5i3.586

Rusconi, L. & Squillaci, M. (2023). Effects of a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Training Course on the Development Teachers’ Competences: A Systematic Review. Education Sciencies, 13(5), 466. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13050466

Seymour, M. (2024). Enhancing the online student experience through the application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to research methods learning and teaching. Education and Infor-mation Technologies, 29, 2767 – 2785. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11948-6

Werneck, M. & Ferreira, L. (2021). Emerging trends in telecollaboration and virtual exchange: a bibli-ometric study. Educational Review, 75(3), 558–586. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2021.1907314

Downloads

Published

27-09-2025

Issue

Section

Original Research Article

How to Cite

Moyolema Amboya, M. M., Guaranga Gualli, F. W., & Macías Arroyo, F. G. (2025). Inclusive practices in digital environments: the virtual classroom as a space for intercultural dialogue in recreation and Physical Education. Retos, 71, 1239-1248. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v72.117464