CHALLENGES OF TEACHING AND LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Much time has passed since the official declaration of the corona pandemic as a virus. In addition to the immediate threat to life and health, the pandemic has brought many changes to all aspects of our daily lives. With all these changes and circumstances, the pandemic has left its mark on higher education institutions. The key development challenge facing the education system on the way to achieving its mission and vision depends on the commitment that the education system will follow in response to these challenges. The most important mission of higher education is to ensure the development of each individual and knowledge-based society. We cannot view the application of technology as a substitute for the traditional way of teaching, but as a complementary part of it. The paper explores the attitudes of students and teachers, through experience during teaching and studying during the past year, during the pandemic COVID 19. The analysis focuses on improving innovative teaching and learning methods in higher education institutions and the application of modern information technology with reduced physical presence.
1.The aim of the research is to gain insight into the extent to which the application of software solutions contributes to the expectations of teachers and students, their attitudes, experience and perception, technical equipment of higher education institutions and digital competence of students. In addition to the above, the aim of the research is to identify the limitations based on the processing of the collected material, which will enable the creation of recommendations for overcoming them.
2.The research methodology implies the application of different methods and techniques. The descriptive method was applied in the collection of empirical data using questionnaires for teachers and students. Statistical data processing consists of the technique of descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis and interpretation of the obtained results. The results of the research will be presented in tables and graphs, in the form of testing the set hypotheses and drawing conclusions of the research subject.
3.According to the results of the research, more than half of the teachers meet distance learning for the first time. Lectures are mostly theoretical and monotonous, while learning was difficult for students, because they independently acquired knowledge without preparation for taking pre-examination obligations. This model of teaching in extraordinary circumstances has many objections, because it did not fully meet the needs of teachers and students.
4.The conclusion is important information about the preferences of teachers and students regarding the application of innovative and traditional teaching models and the quality of teaching, as well as the elimination of key shortcomings of teaching. Teaching and learning in these circumstances was a forced solution with many shortcomings. Given the increasingly complex situation with the coronavirus virus, in order for this form of teaching and learning to offer the outcome of competencies for the 21st century, it is necessary to eliminate the identified shortcomings.
5.The recommendations refer to the improvement of teaching practice in the conditions of the continuation of the COVID-19 virus pandemic. Multimedia and interactive distance learning (distance learning) platform should be built at higher education institutions, taking into account the recommendations and experiences of the world's leading institutions and organizations that prescribe certain standards and quality system when conducting distance learning. The teacher should multimedia improve multimedia teaching content, as a multiple, simultaneous and powerful experience (use of sound, images, text, video) in order for the student's attention to be directed by visual observation. The teacher should also build a good relationship with students, motivate them to learn and understand their individual needs. The authors hope that the results of the research will enable better transfer and acquisition of knowledge, eliminating key shortcomings, while the positive aspects can be incorporated into the traditional form of teaching after the end of the COVID-19.
6.The survey is anonymous and is intended for students of all levels of study (basic academic studies, master's academic studies and doctoral academic studies). The survey of students and teachers was conducted at the end of the school year 2020.