Although work in Liepaja University (LiepU) for all academic staff and students are continuing to be distant, seven LiepU guest lecturers from Lithuania and Bulgaria share their own experience on distant teaching process with students. The guest lecturers are employed in LiepU within the support of the European Social Fund project “Perfection of the Academic Staff of Liepaja University in the Areas of Strategic Specialization - Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Information Technologies, Art, Social Sciences, Commerce and Law” (No 8.2.2.0/18/A/021).
The guest lecturer Tatjana Paulauskiene from Klaipeda University on distant teaching process points at: „Scientific research work continues, but more difficult is with the use of laboratories for the study process, because laboratories of Klaipeda University, from which I planned to work with students, are now closed, so therefore we will be working distantly on student presentations and final exam. I consider that currently distant studies are the best option, although I must hear from students regrets that they would like to attend lectures in presence.” Similarly admits the guest lecturer Petras Saulėnas from Kaunas: „I have diverse feelings, because it is not possible to work in specialized laboratories (in studio, darkroom, public places with a special equipment, etc.) to provide practical training and create practical works. In this way I have given to students special practical tasks, where is needed to do more research on theoretical information, when working from home, and they have been provided with websites and books, where to derive knowledge for the performance of study work.”
Radka Nacheva from Varna University of Economics in Bulgaria observes: „Distant studies are a good alternative, but, however, I would be willing to keep the direct present contact with students, because during distant lectures difficulties cause to see the students’ attitude and the fact, if students understands the topics of my study course “Object-oriented Modelling”. I use LiepU Moodle system for the work, we are meeting with students on Skype online, where I show practical works, we use Google Drive to share documents developed during the study process.”
Vakaris Bernotas from Vilnius Academy of Arts admits that „currently communicate more with students with students than usually, by explaining everyone their planned tasks, so that everyone could work individually. We are communicating via e-mail, in different online platforms. I consider that this is the best time for the student creativity and answers to questions – what am I as a creator, what is my creativity and its uniqueness. I perceive this situation as an opportunity to escape from everyday routine and to spend more time with my thoughts. I must say that during this time I do very well in scientific research work, because there are no circumstances that could disrupt.”
Rasa Viederyte from Klaipeda University on distant study process emphasizes: „It is significantly new step in terms of use of innovative information technologies in formal education process - I like it and students as well. Nevertheless I must admit that there is a limited feedback from students that makes a distance feeling and weak intersacting with audience while explaining the subject. I conduct lectures on Zoom platform and consultations through e-mail. Speaking about scientific research work, there have not happened significant changes – I have an access to digital libraries, I use information technology tools at work with scientific matters.”
Olga Anne from Klaipeda University says that her work with students continues in different online communication tools - Skype, Viber, Zoom and through e-mails that does not cause any problems.
Remigijus Kinderis from Klaipeda State University of Applied Sciences is currently working on compiling of the collective monography “Business management insights and transformation: social, economic and cultural aspects” made by LiepU and Klaipeda State University of Applied Sciences by communicating and discussing with co-authors, therefore the guest lecturer is satisfied with the distant work process.
Photos from distant study process: HERE