Human-computer Interaction in Connection with Conducting Online Classes: The Case of a Technological University in Russia during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract: Human-computer interaction necessarily takes place in education using information technology. In the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, with classes to be conducted partly or totally online, the use of computers by both teachers and students is inevitable. The sudden shift from offline to online learning has made both opportunities and challenges of dealing with computer technology more evident. The opportunities of online education are numerous, including remote access and increased flexibility available for the learning process. However, there are certain challenges of human-computer interaction that make the use of these opportunities less efficient, if not impossible. In fact, the real situation of conducting online classes in a given time and place can be rather different from the suggested ideal one – and is to certain extent unpredictable (thus being the situation of uncertainty), dealing with technical, bureaucratic, behavioural and other obstacles. The particular case under analysis is that of Kuban State Technological University in the Russian city of Krasnodar. Based on the observations conducted at the university, including those provided by means of pedagogical experiment, the description of the behaviour demonstrated by the human participants of the online learning process (including students and teachers, as well as administrative and technical staff) towards computer technology is presented in its development since the introduction of the changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Relevant suggestions are proposed in this connection.

Keywords: Human-Computer Interaction, Online Classes, Online Learning, Technological University, Covid-19 Pandemics, Human Behaviour

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe100892

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