The role of information and communication technologies in epidemics: an attempt at analysis

Abstract

The article deals with the urgent problem of possibilities of using information and communication technologies during epidemics, and their role in the organization of the educational process in Ukraine under quarantine conditions. The analysis of publications on the role of information and communication technologies in epidemics has been carried out by searching on the Internet platforms that comprise abstract databases of scientific journal publications and patents. It is found out that for the most existing works are concerned with the closure of institutions during infectious disease outbreaks, the analysis of the importance of information and communication technologies in epidemics, the role of social media during pandemics, the role of mobile technologies in supporting the continuity of education during temporary closures of schools caused by different crises, experiences of the use of online or other communication technology for the temporary distance learning provision. The analysis of the publications revealed that most of the scientific papers found have been devoted to the problem of preventing the spread of the epidemic rather than organizing the educational process at the educational institution. The carried out research has comprised a quantitative and qualitative (content) analysis of Internet search results in various information resources and Internet services. The qualitative content analysis has been applied to clarify the essence of information and communication technology concepts of and to define the value of information and communication technologies for the organization of the educational process under quarantine conditions. The quantitative content analysis has been used to identify the frequency of words or phrases contained in the texts of scientific articles, web pages, social media posts outlined by the research topic. The analysis of articles in search systems for scientific publications and patents, the analysis of official information resources of different countries, the electronic search in the most popular search engines, the analysis of messages on the most popular social networks, the analysis of lists of educational topics, search in the shops of mobile applications have been carried out in the research. The descriptive analysis, classification, grouping, and graphical methods have been used to systematize, summarize, and present the results of the research. It is concluded that, at present, informing the population and educational institutions on the organization of the educational process under the conditions of pandemics and quarantine is not of sufficiently high quality and opportune. The situation with the dissemination of information and the support of educators in such an emergency as a pandemic needs further study, it is advisable to direct the actions and reactions of educators during this period in particular scientific analysis.