Abstract

JIMENEZ-PUIG, Elizabeth  and  FERNANDEZ-FLEITES, Zoylen. Virtual platforms in higher education in times of COVID-19. Experiences in Cuban students. Rev. Actual. Investig. Educ [online]. 2021, vol.21, n.3, pp.361-380. ISSN 1409-4703.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15517/aie.v21i3.46224.

Currently, universities have closed their doors and an educational process based on online learning has been implemented. This article presents the results of a study whose main objective was to explore the preferences of the Psychology students of the Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas, in relation to the use of virtual platforms within the distance education teaching process. A quantitative research was carried out, with a descriptive cross-sectional design using a questionnaire, with a descriptive scope, in February 2021. A questionnaire was used through the free software Google Forms®. A non-probabilistic and intentional sampling was carried out. A total of 72 students completed the questionnaire. The data were processed using SPSS / Windows, version 25, using descriptive statisTic. The results showed that of the group of platforms available for the online education process, most of the students use WhatsApp, claiming that its use is frequent among study colleagues; who are familiar with how it works; and that facilitates communication. The second option of choice was personal email, and third, the Moodle platform. Knowing the preferences and motivations of students to give answers to their academic tasks, guides teachers and managers regarding the recognition of various platforms, and not only those dictated institutionally. At present, a call must be made for flexibility, for diversity of possibilities; a necessary adjustment to what the students consider motivating and attractive.

Keywords : distance education; university; social alienation; electronic learning.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )