Cognitive modeling the level of university students’ perceptions of distance learning in the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction. The research problem is the contradiction between the widespread use of distance learning technologies at universities, not only during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the absence of an appropriate system of effective organizing the educational process, taking into account the peculiarities of students' perceptions of distance learning. The aim of the study is to identify and predict the features of the mutual influence of various factors on the level of perception of distance learning by university students using cognitive methodology to develop effective forms of organizing the educational process and management methods. Materials and Methods. The study follows the methodology of cognitive modeling developed by R. Axelrod for the analysis of problems that are difficult to formalize. The empirical data were collected using a survey based on Google forms and Internet technologies. The sample included 188 university students from Omsk and Norilsk. Cognitive models are developed as cognitive maps, which, as a rule, are weighted oriented graphs. Thus, cognitive methodology is a specialized approach designed to structure knowledge about complex systems, taking into account their relationships with the external environment, in order to comprehensively study the features of their functioning and predict state changes. In addition, questionnaires, expert evaluation and computer simulation were used. Results. In the course of the study, the controlling factors influencing the target factor - the level of perception of distance learning by university students in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the relationship between these factors and the degree of their mutual influence were identified. Taking into account the data obtained, a cognitive model of the level of university students’ perceptions of distance learning in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in the form of an oriented graph has been created. The developed cognitive model served as a basis for a series of simulation experiments using specialized software. The results of the simulation experiments are a system of predictions about the impact on the target factor of impulses which influence the control factors with different intensity. Based on the received predications, recommendations on the management of the educational process in the conditions of distance learning have been formulated. Conclusions. The results obtained can be used in the design and development of effective methods and specific didactics of distance learning, taking into account the peculiarities of its perception and the level of psychological comfort of university students. The forecasts of changes in the target factor obtained in the process of modeling under the influence of control factors are the basis for the design and development of effective methods and specific didactics of distance learning.