Distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic: experience at a public university

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the performance of distance education in the Accounting and Business Administration programs at a public university during the Covid-19 pandemic.Methods: A quantitative, field, observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional research was conducted based on the positivism paradigm. The sample consisted of 23 professors, and was obtained through a non-probabilistic, intentional sampling. All participants met the inclusion criteria. Results: The study results indicate that the contents achieved the intended objectives, adhered to the set timeline, and remained current. Nonetheless, 57% of the professors reported poor attendance in virtual sessions, leading to incomplete coverage of subject´s content. 100% of participants had access to a computer, while 70% reported having good Internet connectivity. The virtual classroom was the most frequently used communication tool (61%), followed by WhatsApp (5%).Conclusion: Based on the evaluation of instructional time, professor-student communication, and student participation, the distance education process was deemed appropriate. On the other hand, professors reported differences in the use of instructional strategies, institutional resources, and learning assessment