Web Technologies in Distance Learning: Student Perception on the Advantages and Disadvantages

Abstract

The pandemic has paved the way for a paradigm shift in most education systems, with the accelerated adoption of digital technology. Online learning has gained increased importance due to the availability and accessibility of Internet or Web technologies. This format of learning has offered students the opportunity to participate in educational courses and programs from rural and remote places. The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of technologies and virtual learning in education. Internet technologies have helped to support the educational process and have allowed for more productive and interactive learning. There are different opinions in the academic environment concerning online education. As for learners' opinion on distance learning and Internet technologies, they are represented quite weakly in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to present students' perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of using web technologies in distance learning during the pandemic year (by the example of Moscow State University of Food Production, Russia). In addition, it sheds light on students' habits of using Internet technologies and their digital preferences. The present study uses qualitative and quantitative research methods where the instrument is the questionnaire. In their questionnaires the students mentioned ten leading web technologies and two social networks. The collected data allow to divide the web technologies used in distance learning into three rating groups: the most popular, popular and less popular. The findings of the research could be used to explain and forecast the applying of web technologies for improving learning outcomes in higher education.