Educa Offline: Design of a Learning Management System (LMS) in Contexts of Low Connectivity and Social Vulnerability

The COVID-19 pandemic made visible the centrality of access to digital devices and connectivity for ensuring educational continuity, especially in contexts of social vulnerability. This article presents Educa Offline, an open-source Learning Management System (LMS) designed to reduce inequalities derived from low connectivity and digital exclusion. The system’s design process is described, including a review of LMS-based solutions for low-connectivity contexts, a workshop with teachers and students to prioritize essential asynchronous tools, and the definition of navigation, synchronization, and processing requirements for offline work. In addition, interface design decisions are summarized together with the results of usability testing and usage trials with technical education students in a hybrid learning modality. The results of testing with end users showed a positive student experience of the system's usability regarding low bandwidth scenarios – with mobile networks or intermittent internet access. We conclude that the platform has the potential to offer a more inclusive means of accessing knowledge and education.