Social aspects of distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the format of work of higher education institutions. The paper presents the authors’ interpretation of distance learning as a form of interaction between teachers and students and their independent work using information technologies as the main platform for obtaining knowledge in accordance with the educational program. It analyzes the results of the authors’ survey of university students, which was attended by 49 respondents from different Russian cities. This study, conducted by the in-depth interview method, made it possible to focus on the social aspects of distance learning. Based on the survey results, conclusions were drawn about the advantages and disadvantages of this type of learning, and a question was raised about the possibility and feasibility of its use in the future.