What the distance learning experience has taught university teachers

Contents:

• 1. Extra Time
• 2. Digital Literacy
• 3. Connecting with Students
• 4. Improving Teaching Practice

The problems of the sudden transition to distance learning at universities during the pandemic have been widely discussed and analyzed. The main difficulties faced by students and teachers can be summarized as follows.

• Technical difficulties – for both students and teachers, especially at first.
• The inconvenience of working from home. Not every teacher's home and family circumstances allowed them to comfortably conduct classes from home, just as not every student was able to fully participate in these classes.
• Psychological discomfort. This arose both because the entire educational process had changed dramatically and because of the lack of real communication: giving a lecture or conducting a seminar to avatars or black squares on a laptop screen turned out to be more difficult than to an audience with a live emotional response.
• Decreased student engagement. Some attended online classes only as avatars, while going about their own business. Of course, students are also distracted by smartphones during live lectures, but distance learning gave them the opportunity to be present in class not just with half an eye and half an ear, but purely nominally. Using all sorts of cheat sheets when answering online is also much easier, so many allowed themselves to relax.
• The gap between strong, motivated students and those who were already underachieving widened. The former turned out to be better suited to independent work, while the latter fell even further behind.

Distance learning has become not only a challenge but also an opportunity for new experiences. We spoke with faculty at ITMO University, which is renowned for its contribution to the development of digital culture and digital ethics. Before the pandemic, the university operated in a traditional offline format. The faculty shared that they encountered common difficulties of distance learning, but also noted the positive aspects this format brought.

1.

The transition to distance learning, while it may sound trivial, freed up time previously spent on travel. Initially, as everyone adapted to the new format, work required even more effort than before. However, over time, as the process became more established, it became clear that time had opened up for watching TV series and research. This ultimately had a positive impact on both the university and the faculty's academic development. Distance learning opened up new opportunities for self-development and improving the quality of education.

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A teacher at ITMO University's Foreign Language Center offers high-quality foreign language instruction. The center provides students with up-to-date teaching methods aimed at developing language skills. The teachers are highly qualified and experienced, allowing them to create a comfortable learning environment. ITMO University utilizes modern educational technologies to effectively master foreign languages. Curriculums are adapted to various levels, making learning accessible to everyone. Choosing a foreign language center at ITMO University is a step toward successful foreign language proficiency. Remote teaching allows you to work from anywhere, which is especially convenient if you have work that requires a physical presence. For example, I took advantage of this opportunity to prepare for and enroll in graduate school. Thanks to a flexible schedule and access to educational materials, the learning and work process became more efficient. Ilya Stakheev is a name that has already become well-known in certain circles. Ilya's work and achievements attract attention and interest from a wide audience. His works are distinguished by a unique style and depth of content, making them in demand. Ilya actively shares his knowledge and experience, which contributes to his popularity among colleagues and followers. His approach to business inspires many and helps them achieve success in their endeavors.

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Lecturer in the Master's program in Science Communication at ITMO University. In this program, students master the key principles of effective communication in the scientific community, develop scientific writing and presentation skills. The program is aimed at developing the competencies necessary for the successful communication of scientific information in both academic and public spheres. ITMO University offers modern approaches to learning, including practical classes and projects, which allow students to apply their acquired knowledge in practice.

Having free time to watch TV series can be a positive development. The importance of work-life balance has been actively discussed in recent years, and this aspect really does impact professional success. By devoting time to rest and entertainment, you help restore energy and improve concentration, which has a positive impact on your productivity.

2. Digital Literacy

Remember the phrase, "If you don't know how, we'll teach you; if you don't want to, we'll make you. Take off!" from the Soviet cartoon "Wings, Legs, and Tails"? In the cartoon, the ostrich couldn't fly when the griffin demanded it. In contrast, distance learning forced many to master digital tools, even those who had previously avoided and feared them. It turned out to be less difficult than it seemed, and much more convenient. Now it's funny to think back to the panic that gripped those who first tried to master something that is now perceived as elementary. This experience testifies to the successful acquisition of new skills and abilities, which is especially relevant in the modern context of digitalization. Mastering new technologies opens doors to new opportunities and increases competitiveness in a rapidly changing world.

At first, understanding the technical capabilities of various online platforms was difficult. The lack of understanding of what participants on the other side of the screen saw caused fear. The question "How do I enable screen sharing?" It seemed overwhelming. I hadn't experienced this level of stress even the first time I appeared on stage in front of a large audience. However, in a year of online work, I've acquired more skills than I had in several years prior. I successfully transferred my interactive practices and training tools from offline to online. As a result, I discovered that it's possible to effectively practice negotiations and interact with participants remotely. This opens new horizons for professional growth and development in the modern world.

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3. Getting Closer to Students

Distance learning has undoubtedly changed the approach to interaction between lecturers and students. On the one hand, it has deprived lecturers of the opportunity to personally communicate with students. On the other hand, it is worth asking the question: was this communication as significant during traditional offline learning? Classes typically took the form of lectures and seminars, after which instructors rarely inquired about students' lives, hobbies, and career plans. This limited the opportunity to develop trusting relationships. However, the online format has opened up new horizons for more informal communication. Instructors can more easily share their thoughts and experiences, and students can open up and ask questions. This connection, established in a virtual environment, can be maintained in the future, even after returning to traditional learning.

Of course, please provide the text that needs to be revised.

After classes, I often finished recording, but the students continued to stay and discuss news and life events with me. As a result, we became good friends.

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Lecturer at the Faculty of Control Systems and Robotics at ITMO University. This faculty offers modern educational programs covering key aspects of control systems and robotics. Faculty members are highly qualified and experienced in scientific research and the practical application of technology. The faculty actively collaborates with industry, allowing students to acquire relevant knowledge and skills in demand in the labor market. ITMO University is renowned for its innovation and research in robotics, making it one of the leading educational institutions in Russia.

Distance learning provided students with a unique opportunity to teach their faculty new skills and technologies that they had not previously mastered. At the same time, faculty had the chance to see their students from a new perspective. This interaction contributed to stronger bonds between faculty and students, creating a more open and productive educational space.

We've become closer to students thanks to their high adaptability to digital communications. This allowed us to take into account their experience using digital tools and their preferences in choosing communication channels. As a result, our collaboration has become more effective and productive, which has a positive impact on the educational process.

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A lecturer at the Faculty of Technological Management and Innovation at ITMO University, she is an expert in the field of technology and innovation management. It trains students in modern methods and approaches necessary for successful careers in the high-tech industry. The department offers unique programs that combine theoretical knowledge with practical skills, enabling graduates to effectively address the challenges of today's market. Faculty members are actively involved in research and projects that advance technology development and the implementation of innovative solutions, making their education relevant and in-demand.

During online learning, faculty members had to be creative and resourceful in adapting their methods and delivery formats. This allowed students to see their teachers in a new light, opening up new opportunities for interaction and learning. The use of innovative teaching approaches significantly enriched the educational process, which positively impacted student comprehension.

Distance learning opened up new horizons for unleashing my creative potential. I successfully implemented a long-held idea of ​​teaching through Instagram, which allowed me to effectively share knowledge and interact with the audience. This learning format has become not only accessible but also engaging, which promotes better absorption of the material. Instagram offers unique opportunities for visual content, which helps make the learning process more interactive and interesting.

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4. Improving Teaching Practice

The online lecture format has prompted even experienced faculty to improve their public speaking skills. This is due to the opportunity to objectively evaluate their presentations and identify shortcomings that usually go unnoticed in the traditional format. Faculty have become more attentive to their delivery of material, which contributes to more effective teaching and interaction with the audience.

Lecture recording is a key aspect of the educational process. It provides an opportunity for both students and faculty to review the material. Each lecture is a public presentation, and it's helpful to analyze it to identify any flaws in delivery, as well as any mannerisms and habitual expressions that need to be eliminated. By rewriting what you've said in a more effective form, you can create a high-quality teaching aid that will help improve your learning and preparation for future lectures.

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He is a lecturer in the Master's program in Science Communication at ITMO University. In this program, students study modern approaches to the effective communication of scientific information, develop skills in writing scientific articles, presentations, and communicating with a wide audience. The instructor provides students with the necessary tools for successful scientific communication, an important aspect in science and education. ITMO University offers a unique opportunity to gain knowledge from experienced science communication professionals who support students' career development.

The lecture recording provides additional motivation for careful preparation and thoughtful wording. The online format requires innovative delivery methods, which promote deeper understanding and heighten student engagement.

This experience was an important lesson. It demonstrated the key role of thorough preparation before presenting. Knowing that everything is being recorded encourages better preparation, which helps avoid hesitation and makes the presentation more confident and informative. Properly preparing a topic not only helps convey your thoughts to the audience but also increases the speaker's credibility.

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Lecturer at the Faculty of Control Systems and Robotics at ITMO University. She teaches classes on modern technologies in automation and robotics. She provides students with the relevant knowledge necessary for successful careers in high-tech industries. She emphasizes the practical application of theoretical foundations, which promotes the development of skills in demand in the labor market. She participates in research and projects aimed at innovation in control systems and robotics, which helps maintain high educational standards.

I realized that the presentation of additional material needs to be improved. In live lectures, it is easy to use a marker and quickly illustrate ideas on the board, but in an online format, this becomes more challenging, and the quality of delivery suffers.

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Some faculty had to master new practices that were unusual for traditional offline learning. For example, they began recording online courses themselves, acting not only as speakers but also as cameramen, editors, and many other specialists.

In April 2020, I was actively creating screencasts with commentary on theory and practical assignments. My goal was to provide students with a ready-made guide containing all the information they needed to successfully pass their exams as quickly as possible. There was no clear script during the process, which sometimes led to glitches and the need to re-record the videos. The free version of the program limited videos to 10 minutes, and the app logo was added during the stitching process. This process took me three weeks, during which I practically did not leave the house. Ultimately, I prepared two MOOCs within a tight deadline. I posted them on the Stepik platform, sent the links to the students, and they successfully completed the assignments.

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As a lecturer at ITMO University's Faculty of Technological Management and Innovation, she trains specialists in technology and innovation management. Through her work, she provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful careers in today's rapidly changing technological landscape. The faculty offers a wide range of educational programs, covering topics from strategic management to implementing innovative solutions in business. The faculty members are actively involved in research and development, which allows them to integrate cutting-edge scientific advances into the teaching process.