Background:

WhatsApp is an application that allows us the continuity of the educational teaching process in times of pandemic.

Objective:

to assess the use of WhatsApp as an educational tool in times of COVID-19, in Abreus municipality, Cienfuegos province, Cuba.

Methods:

a research with a predominance of a qualitative methodology was carried out in Abreus municipality from September to December 2021. Analytical-synthetic, historical-logical and systemic approaches were applied as theoretical methods; document analysis and assessment through a survey by means of the WhatsApp application of teachers and residents were used as empirical ones.

Results:

the use of WhatsApp as an educational tool was the main way of virtual communication between residents and teachers. The possibility of integrating contacts and creating groups made it very popular, simulating a small, interactive and much faster social network. In addition, we found that it is necessary, with its advantages and disadvantages in the educational process.

Conclusions:

the evaluation of teachers and residents was positive; WhatsApp can influence the improvement of the dynamism of the distance learning teaching processes, due to its possibilities of connecting at any time and from any place, inside or outside the formal learning contexts, and it can generate a radical and favourable change in the educational process with well-designed strategies.

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