Context:

The analysis of water flow in open channels is a relevant topic of study in different civil engineering projects. However, traditional experiments in open channel hydraulics and scale models are limited, and simple conceptual review based solely on textbooks does not allow sufficient stimulation and motivation for students. On the other hand, the rapid development of mobile devices and programming in the cloud and mobile Operation Systems such as Android offer alternatives for the development of complementary tools that support educational processes.

Method:

This work presents the development of an application that allows the analysis and design of open prismatic channels by implementing the Newton-Raphson numerical method and incorporating a problem-based learning approach.

Results:

Interactive elements were included in the application for the definition of problem variables, as well as didactic images and friendly data outputs to promote interest in the application and understanding of the problem-solving process.

Conclusions:

The mobile application is an example of the possibilities that exist to strengthen both the teaching of concepts and the technological approach for the rapid solution of problems, which promote the appropriation of concepts in civil engineering education. The application is called "HydroEolm" and is available for free on the Google Play Store; It has been downloaded several thousand times in Latin America and the Caribbean, mostly by engineering students, so the positive impact of the application for academic training is inferred.