Digital Transformation of Russian Universities during the Pandemic

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the main trends in the digitalization of Russian universities, which, recently, have been largely associated with the need to use mixed forms of education against the background of the development of the pandemic. The object of research is the system of higher professional education. The subject is the current trends of digitalization caused by external and internal factors, and the attitude towards them on the part of participants in the educational process. The pandemic has made significant changes not only in the educational process, but also in the management system of the entire knowledge acquisition system. Significant problems of digital inequality were identified not only among students, but also educational institutions. In a situation of forced transition to a mixed and even fully online learning format, the Russian higher education system has proven its viability and effectiveness. Most educational institutions were forced to take advantage of the opportunities of distance learning technologies. In the article, the author uses a classical approach to the study of the problem, based on desk and field research, analysis of secondary and obtaining primary data on the studied problem. The uniqueness of the study lies in the fact that a comparative analysis of the attitude to the digitalization processes of Russian universities before and after the pandemic is presented. To obtain primary information, the author's tools of longitudinal research were implemented and a survey was conducted to study the features of the use of communication technologies in the educational process under the influence of social, economic and political factors, as well as global processes taking place in society, including under the influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The results of the study can be practically significant for scientists, specialists, researchers and various government structures directly involved in solving issues related to the education system and higher education.