In 2020, the coronavirus COVID-19 spread actively around the world. Many countries have imposed restrictions on mass events, a ban on visiting crowded places. Distant forms of education in schools, universities and other organizations were introduced.
In spite of this, distance technology in education has allowed this sphere to survive and strengthen its position. As a result of bans and the risk of acquiring an infection when interacting with people, many have switched to learning via the Internet.
Schools, universities and Vocational Education and Training (VET) centers have changed the way they teach or improved existing distance learning courses in a short period of time. Standard educational programs have been changed to an interactive format. Now you can get information not only in person, but also through the Internet.
E-education and distance technologies allowed people to improve their qualifications, undergo professional retraining and short-term training without discontinuing their work. Schoolchildren and students have also been able to adapt to new ways of receiving information without stopping their studies.
A number of universities as well as modern VET centers were already introducing new teaching systems before 2020, so the pandemic only spurred many universities and educational centers to make natural changes in a shorter time frame.
E-learning and distance courses make it possible to improve the qualifications and level of knowledge of specialists in various spheres. At the same time it takes less time to prepare.
If a person decides to take a refresher course remotely, he can save the budget. Also, distance courses are an opportunity to find a suitable educational institution not only in your city, but also across the country or even in the world. Therefore, courses and training programs of more prestigious organizations are becoming more accessible.
Now it is enough for qualified specialists to use distance learning technologies in education. This will allow workers to remain in demand and improve the quality of work functions.
Disadvantages of new digital technologies
The learning process with the help of the Internet is developing rapidly. However, not all teachers are ready to change the usual method of work to a more advanced one. E-learning and distance delivery methods should develop the need for knowledge. But inept use of modern technologies leads to deformation of perception.
Complete limitation of live communication, dependence on social approval and lack of opportunity to speak out – all this can only lead to negative consequences of such a system. If e-learning has no structure, but is offered only as an optional addition – the quality of learning will suffer.
Advantages of new technologies for education
Just 20 years ago, illness could suspend the learning process – a person could not learn the material by skipping classes. Now, students can study subjects even while sick. Distance technology also has an additional number of advantages:
Learning in a convenient location;
stimulation to self-education;
quick and easy search for information;
absence of territorial attachment;
improved knowledge in the ways of using information technology;
access to information is not limited to the institution’s literature, and so on.
Intellectual level and self-learning ability increases with the use of telecommunication technology. This has a favorable effect on people’s education, helps them learn self-discipline and properly seek information for future work.