Abstract:

The current study facilitates an evidence-based discussion on teaching and learning during the period of the coronavirus outbreak. The study is aimed to research the current situation at two Russian universities: Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia and Perm National Research Polytechnic University and describe students’ perceived impact of COVID-19 on the learning process. The survey is conducted among 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-year Public Relations students. The research questions include two topics: learning management system and video conferencing platform. The first part of the questionnaire embraces a five-point Likert-type scale that measures the perceived degree of learning platform convenience (5 «very convenient» to 1 «not at all»). Students also evaluate the university’s software application and Google Classroom web service by the following criteria: mobile application, the structure of the educational platform, content delivery (reading learning materials, watching videos, graphic visualization, test-taking), teacher-student communication (assignment submission, performance scores, notifications feature). The second open-ended part of the questionnaire contains questions about the way students use various video conferencing tools and obstacles they face during online education. Our work has revealed the students’ preferences about the desired mode of learning: the proportion of blended, online, and offline learning. This work has also demonstrated students’ perception of teaching effectiveness, achievements and challenges in online Graphic Design and Business English courses.

Keywords:

Online education, learning management system, video conferencing tools, coronavirus.