DISTANCE LEARNING: NEW PROBLEMS OR NEW OPTIONS (ACCORDING TO THE POLL OF PARTICIPANTS OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS)

Abstract

Advances in information technology have led to the inclusion of online learning in higher medical education, including postgraduate. The onset of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) intensified this process, and therefore by the time martial law was imposed in Ukraine, all the necessary processes were already in place. However, distance learning needs further improvement. The advantages of distance learning are flexibility and mobility, whereas the disadvantages include the lack of interactivity, possible technical problems, reduced concentration, complexity of practical learning processes and more. The purpose of this study is a generalized analysis of the responses of all participants of the educational process on various aspects of distance learning to further to improve it. We conducted an anonymous voluntary online survey using the online Google forms. 221 respondents (139 students, 48 teachers and 34 postgraduate students) took part in the online survey. The results were processed using the software package Statistica 12 (Statsoft, USA). The age and gender distribution of participants roughly corresponded to the real life statistics. 72.4 % of respondents rated the technical support of online learning as good /excellent; 86.9 % of respondents have good / excellent computer skills. 81.0 % of participants recognized the relevance of the topics as good / excellent, but its volume (depth) was recognized as good / excellent only by 59.8 %. 84.6 % consider the professional level of teachers to be good / excellent. Despite these favorable estimates, 59.3 % of respondents believe that distance learning is worse than the traditional full-time form, and in the future only 33.5 % of respondents would like to study online. Our data largely coincide with the results of other authors.

Respondents gave a favorable assessment of the relevance and scope of knowledge acquired, the professional level of teachers, technical means of online learning, but they do not believe that it can completely replace the full-time form. The main advantage of online learning is saving time and money on the road, and the main disadvantage is the lack of practice. Lack of interactivity and informal communication proved to be less important for our participants.