Abstract:

The aim of this work is to analyze the development and predict the future of distance learning in higher education in Russia. Today distance learning in higher education spreads due to internet coverage and Russian legislation.

The work is based on exploratory research all over Russia. In research took part nearly 1500 people. Interviews were conducted in 46 Russian subjects, in 130 populated localities and in 9 federal regions. There were interviewed people only under 18 years (adulthood in Russia). The responders were asked: did they use distance learning in their work / study / practice, if «no», why; what are the factors of advantages in distance learning, compared with traditional learning in universities; what kind of learning do you think would be more effective (to attract more students) in distance format, rather than in the traditional; what is your forecast for the development of distance learning in Russia within 5 years in higher and others.

The results of research shows the relation between socio-demographic specifications such as: sex, age, education, income, social status, internet usage, number of family members, populated locality, federal region and use of distance learning. These results prove the experts opinion (lectors and curators of distance programs) that distance learning has not claimed properly at the moment on the Russian market. Because nowadays in Russia there are no advertising of new form of education, that’s why people from regions don’t know about such opportunity.

Distant education has not yet developed as it should be because the potential spread is huge considering the geographical area of Russia and its population. In 2015 the population of Russia is 146 million of people and the Russian area is 17 million kilometers.

Due to the fact that the cost of education in higher education inevitably grows, and real incomes are reduced, distance learning is an opportunity, first of all, for the people from Russian regions to study in the best universities, and secondly, a chance for working students, thirdly, this format is optional for citizens of all ages to have a chance to learn at any time. It is important to recall that the demand on distance learning in higher education in Russia is not yet formed, as it is a new format, the benefits and the quality of which is difficult to estimate reliably due to insufficient statistics.

As well the results of face-to-face interviews and telephone interviews with lectors and curators of distance programs (which were mentioned below) were published in Russian peer-reviewed journal an article and also were presented on international conference «Lomonosov-2015» in Moscow States University of M. V. Lomonosov. Russian exploratory research is the second step to estimate the potential demand of distance learning in Russian. It is planned to conduct the third investigation and to estimate the supply of distance learning in Russia.

Opponents of distance education believe that this format won’t find a response on Russian market and will be just a part of traditional education. Also they say that distance learning is only technology it’s not the form of education. It’s important to mention that when television appeared on the market radio holders said that TV would never replace it. It is concluded that it may take more than a decade to improve the effectiveness of distance education in Russia.

Keywords:

Higher education, distant learning, distance education, research, Russian regions.