Abstract:

The rapid development of digital technologies and their increasing usage, in the recent years, has allowed the increase of the utilization of distance learning as a form of education. It is used extensively for varied purposes and in varied ways, depending on the audience of the course, the availability and cost of the technology. Distance learning is more and more used and integrated in different levels of schooling. The results of research, (Li Bian, 2009), (Demkanin, P., 2008), (Lavonen. J., 2008), (Prenjasi. E., 2010), show as that digital technologies for distance learning can improve the interaction between teachers and students, as well as the social learning interactions between students; they can support constructive and co-operative learning.

Schools from remote mountain villages have to face several difficulties, in addition to the ones related to laboratories, educational materials, etc.; in fact, they have to arrange all the activities considering the possibility of bad weather and that one school often covers the needs of a group of small villages not very close one to another. Consequently, during the winter some teachers or students cannot often attend the lessons. Also for this reason the percentage of dropout is higher in these areas.

In the framework of the application of National Strategy for Education in Albania, that highlights the role of Information and Communication Technologies on this field, we investigated the opinion of teachers from remote mountain villages about distance learning, the possibilities to integrate traditional courses with online courses, digital learning objects, the usage of Learning Management System, etc.
In-service teachers following the Master on Teaching in High Schools, at the University of Shkoder, have been involved in this investigation.

Keywords:

Digital technologies, distance learning, learning management system, online courses, in service teacher training.