Aplicativo Central : revolucionando a educação por meio da comunicação

Abstract

Central is an innovative app designed to enhance the promotion and engagement of students in extracurricular activities at Brazilian universities. With an intuitive interface and personalized features, Central connects students with opportunities aligned with their interests and schedules. The idea emerged from the academic experience of the authors, who identified inefficiencies in the communication regarding extension projects. A survey conducted with students from the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS) revealed that only 14% regularly participate in these activities, highlighting the need for a more effective solution. The project was developed based on the principles found in Tim Brown's book “Design Thinking” (2009), following the stages of ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration. The platform was created with various features that meet the needs of both students and professors, as well as promoting interaction across different fields of knowledge, allowing students to discover opportunities beyond their courses. The app's goal is to encourage not only active participation among students but also collaboration between universities and the community, contributing to the valorization of higher education and social transformation. In the testing phase, we demonstrated the prototype and conducted a survey with students and professors from Federal University of Sergipe (UFS) to gather their feedback. A large portion stated that the app would have a positive impact on students academic lives by encouraging them to actively participate in extension activities.