Abstract:

Educational institutions face major challenges due to the COVID19 pandemic. Remote learning requires a comprehensive concept, including an adaptation of curricula, selection of appropriate tools, methods and technologies, provision and configuration of the necessary equipment, and training of both parties – lecturers and students in higher education institutions (HEIs). The selection of appropriate hardware and software platforms is essential for the successful conduct of distance learning. This type of training was not the most explored approach before the pandemic, but most of HEIs in Bulgaria already had some practice in its implementation.
The challenges during 2020 forced universities to improve the development of distance learning systems in various ways. Lack of strategy and common solutions at the beginning of the pandemic led to the use of different IT solutions among lecturers.
We carried out an inquiry among lecturers in the University of Ruse to evaluate their experience, preferences, and practice, to extract advantages of all applied IT solutions, and to define training and other needs, including obstacles and challenges they meet.
We made an analysis of the used IT solutions for distance learning at the University of Ruse, arranging the system requirements of users according to their importance, which can be used as a basis for educational institutions when choosing the best IT solution investment.

Keywords:

COVID19 pandemic, distance learning, IT solutions, platforms.