Ai-Powered Mobile Applications As Innovation Tools In Higher Education

This study examined the impact of AI-powered mobile applications as academic support tools for Communication students at the National University of Loja, Ecuador. The objectives were to identify the applications used, analyze their impact on achieving academic goals, and determine the need for their incorporation into course content. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, utilizing a survey conducted among students from all academic levels. The results revealed that ChatGPT (86.8%) and CapCut (74.7%) were the most widely recognized applications, with 48.1% of students using them weekly. Additionally, 70.8% of students reported that these tools enhanced their learning, while 95.5% stated that they had positively influenced their academic performance. The areas that benefited the most included assignment completion (74.7%) and the understanding of complex concepts. Furthermore, 91.2% of students considered it necessary to integrate the learning of these applications into the curriculum. However, only 16.1% of instructors consciously incorporated them into their teaching practices. The study concluded that there is a high level of acceptance and demand for integrating AI-powered mobile applications into the educational process, particularly in research and content production courses. Nevertheless, a gap remains in their implementation by faculty members.