The digital transformation of education: challenges for higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic

The unplanned and widespread transition to online learning, triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, has caused a global transformation of the entire educational process in higher education: the need to urgently develop modern IT-technologies and new methods of work in the information environment, and the adaptation of teachers and students to changes in the sphere of communication. During the period of distance learning, a number of factors have formed that have determined the requirements for organizing the educational process in an online format, and problems have been identified that need scientific research, which determines the relevance of the study. The purpose of this study is to analyze modern distance learning opportunities during the coronavirus pandemic or other force majeure circumstances. For this purpose, various methods were used: methods of analysis and synthesis were applied in the study of problems of obtaining higher education in a distance format, historical and comparative methods made it possible to trace the formation and development of distance education. This methodological tool provided an opportunity to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the scientific literature, to summarize and systematize the opinions of scientists, and to develop our own position on the issue of distance learning in the context of the pandemic. The experience of Belgorod State National Research University in the field of distance education has been analyzed. Modern tools for mastering academic disciplines online are offered. The conducted study allowed us to assess further prospects of distance education in an online format, which determines the novelty of the study. The obtained results can be used by teachers of higher education.