Radka Nacheva from the University of Economics - Varna has been working as the guest lecturer in the strategic specialization field of Liepaja University (Latvia) – “Information Technologies” for almost one year, and has recently finished to submit for the publishing several scientific publications on the e-learning during the pandemics. Radka Nacheva is one of the seven guest lecturers, who has been actively involved in the implementation of the European Social Fund project “Perfection of the Academic Staff of Liepaja University in the Areas of Strategic Specialization - Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Information Technologies, Art, Social Sciences, Commerce and Law” (No 8.2.2.0/18/A/021) for strengthening the quality of the study direction “Information Technology, Computer Technology Electronics, Telecommunications, Computer Control and Computer Science” with her professional contribution of academic and scientific research work.
Regarding these scientific publications, she explains: “In the first months of social distance, lecturers and learners faced the challenge of communicating virtually, in many situations asynchronously. Traditional teaching methods have been transformed into digitally oriented, which has put both sides beyond their comfort limits, and the learning process was conducted entirely in an electronic environment, which had to be organized so that all learners could have the access to the materials provided. Therefore, the aim of the research was to study the experience gained from the e-learning in lockdown conditions at the University of Economics - Varna and Liepaja University.” On this basis, Radka Nacheva together with LiepU dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering Anita Jansone outlined the practical e-learning framework. As part of their study, were surveyed computer science students to examine the challenges they face in the first months of lockdown. Based on the survey, they concluded that the e-learning was successful in both universities. Radka Nacheva points out: “Students appreciate the opportunities provided by their teachers to master the material in the disciplines, namely the publication of full-text lectures and exercises, additional literature, video lectures and synchronous communication. But on the other hand, the respondents also reported the negative consequences of this type of training. For example, too many hours in front of the computer, lack of real connection with teachers and other students in the study group, problems with Internet access, power outages in emergencies, poor technical equipment (some of them do not have the appropriate hardware to take the load video conferencing and software in special disciplines).”
Currently the guest lecturer is planning to continue with the scientific work related to social media impact over the higher education.
20 Jan 2021
