Project TO graduated: the use of forums as an interaction tool for improving the teaching and learning process

Abstract

The expansion of access to higher education in the state of Tocantins has been significantly highlighted by the implementation and growth of distance education (EaD), especially by the State University of Tocantins (Unitins). Faced with a vast territorial area and a population distributed between urban and rural areas, Tocantins faced logistical and socioeconomic challenges that made it difficult to access traditional higher education. EaD emerged as a strategic solution to overcome these barriers, offering geographic and temporal flexibility to students. Projects such as Unitins’ “TO Graduado” have played a crucial role in this transformation, allowing broader and more diverse access to higher education. This article presents a study that the EaD model has not only significantly increased the number of enrollments, but also diversified the offering of courses, promoting the economic and social development of the region and training a new generation of professionals. Despite the advances, challenges still persist, such as the need to improve the digital infrastructure and ensure the quality of the courses offered. In this context, distance education has become an essential catalyst for the democratization of higher education in Tocantins. By providing accessible and quality education, distance education has the potential to positively transform the state's educational future, especially in small cities, promoting inclusive and free education for all.