«Online» versus «offline» during the COVID-19 pandemic (from the experience of applying online learning in HEIs)

The paper is a theoretical and practical study of the effectiveness degree of educational activities organization in HEIs using digital learning in order to improve the quality of education. The essence and nature of the online learning experience transformation of 1-2 year university students under COVID-19 quarantine over three forced lockdowns is explicated. As a result of the study, assumptions are made regarding the possibility of using online education at HEIs in Russia and its effectiveness. The method of free associative experiment, the method of comparative analysis, and the method of analysis and synthesis were used in the course of the study. The issue of online education is actively debated in academia and needs to be further explored in the current context of global digitalization of all areas of human activity. Nevertheless, it should be concluded that the rational use of means of distant interaction between a teacher and a student, especially in combination with traditional forms of learning, is already demonstrating high efficiency and contributes to improving the quality of Russian higher education.