Education in time of crisis: shocking innovation or new opportunities?

Abstract

During the pandemic in the Republic of Moldova, distance learning has become a necessary tool to minimize the transmission of COVID-19 infection. This situation has launched an active discussion in society about the consequences of onlinelearning, as well as the readiness of educational institutions for this transition. Accordingly, the abrupt transition to a new education system increased the burden on teachers, students and parents, who had to look for new opportunities to adapt to this system. Two years later, universities, colleges and schools all over the world have gone through the stage of a global digital transformation in the field of education. The identified problems of online-learning led to the introduction, in the 2020-2021 academic year, of a blended learning model. Blended learning is an educational approach that combines the benefits of classroom teaching (face-to-face) distance or interactive learning with elements of student self-control of the educational path, time, place and pace of learning, as well as the integration of the learning experience with the teacher and online. In other words, blended learning is a sequence of phases of traditional and elearning that alternate over time. Blended learning is often called hybrid learning. Hybrid or blended education has become a key factor in ensuring continuity in education today. Blended learning has now become a part of our daily life.