Abstract:

Nowadays education systems around the world are taking steps to organize learning in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under current circumstances, distance learning has turned out to be the only possible one, which requires maximum transformation of the entire educational process.

The article aims to discuss the most common tools used in distance foreign language learning at the Engineering Academy of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University). The authors describe the teaching methods and techniques for distance education, based on the State project of the Russian Federation “Modern digital educational environment”, which involves organizing continuous education for students in cases of quarantine or prolonged absence from classes for various reasons.

The research highlights both positive and negative aspects of learning mediated by information and telecommunication technologies. An emergency switch to distance learning is fraught with obvious technical and psychological problems. At the same time, along with obvious challenges and problems, the new learning format provides a wide range of opportunities to change and upgrade the education system.

Adaptive e-courses created on the RUDN University TUIS platform allow improving students’ experience, taking into account the results of his/her educational achievements. The e-courses content (video content, lectures, etc) is available upon request, it includes tests that control material mastering and identify gaps in knowledge, thereby creating personalized learning environment. The potential of distance learning is growing thanks to MOOCs, stimulating students to communicate with each other and to use peer-assessment.

In broad terms, despite the existing problems, distance learning makes it possible to ensure a high level of accessibility in education while maintaining its quality and attracting a larger number of students.

Keywords:

Distance learning, COVID-19, information and telecommunication technologies, e-courses, accessibility in education.