PERCEPTIONS ABOUT DISTANCE LEARNING IN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: CASE STUDY

Distance learning can be defined as an educational strategy based on the use of digital tools for educational processes without limitation of time, place, occupation or age, which implies new roles, attitudes and methodological approaches for students and teachers. Therefore, distance learning is consolidated as a research field to understand the challenges of higher education institutions toward new information and technology means oriented to professional education, training and updating knowledge. Therefore, the objective of this research is to identify the perceptions and expectations of active undergraduate students in the city of Medellin (Colombia). Instituto Tecnologico Metropolitano (ITM), the Institucion Universitaria Escolme and the Universidad Autonoma Universitaria (UNAULA) was taken as a case study. The exploratory, transversal and field methodology was proposed, based on a quantitative methodology. Students of associate and bachelor's degree between first and last semester was the target study population. The quantitative methodological design was a self-administered questionnaire. A non-probability sampling approach was conducted, applying the questionnaire to 240 undergraduate students. The questionnaire was applied in situ between February and May, 2015. The analysis of the results is descriptive and focused on characterizing the experience in the virtual platform, the enjoying for distance learning mode and the level of use of various online available tools. The main results show that teachers are who should encourage students to active participation in virtual learning process, through pedagogical dynamics that encourage the use of new information and communication technologies.