CONTINUING TEACHER EDUCATION, DISTANCE EDUCATION, AND THE PANDEMIC: UNDERSTANDINGS OF EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS FROMA MUNICIPAL SCHOOL NETWORK IN THE NORTH OF SANTA CATARINA

This study aims to analyze the understanding of basic education professionals from the municipal public education network in the north of Santa Catarina about Distance Education (DE). The present investigation uses a quali -quantitative approach applying an online questionnaire, from which we obtained feedback from 62 professionals who work in the analyzed education network. The generated data were analyzed and discussed based on Maissiat (2017), Imbern & oacute;n (2010a; 2010b), and N & oacute;voa (2019), among others. It was evident that, although Distance Education (DE) has its advantages, such as the flexibility of time and space, the reduction of investment, and the wide demand, especially in times of the Covid-19 pandemic, face-to-face teaching is still the most defended by the investigated professionals, under the justification that this modality offers more interaction and exchange of ideas between professors and students. From the results obtained, it is emphasized that distance education institutions should be more attentive to the interaction resources offered to motivate the student to actively participate in the exchange of ideas and opinions with classmates and professors/tutors because even if they have shown extensive adherence, this tool alone does not guarantee comprehensive training. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for training centered on the educational space that responds to the local realities and reverberates in teaching practice.