Remote teaching among university students in the state of Piauí during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the reality of remote teaching by undergraduates at a higher education institution in the state of Piauí during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey with a quantitative approach with students from regular courses at a higher education institution in the state of Piauí, from August 2021 to July 2022, with a sample of N=1,764 participants. The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee and data was collected online using a semi-structured questionnaire plus the Beck Anxiety Scale (BAI). Then, the data were organized in the Statistical Package Program for Social Sciences (SPSS) version (20.0). Results: In total, 1,764 academics were interviewed, 1,218 female and 546 male. (53.6%) declared themselves mixed race; (57%) live with other people and (85%) live in urban areas; (83.89%) of women and (91.40%) of men reported having no difficulty using electronic devices; in distance learning (48%) studied with a cell phone, (33%) with a notebook, (13%) with a computer (PC) and (6%) with a tablet. Regarding problems with the internet (86.2%) said they had no difficulties and (13.8%) reported that they had some difficulty. Among women (46.11%) and men (40.59%) they thought about giving up the course. Conclusion: It was possible to identify difficulties during distance learning, in the use of technological resources and internet access; decreased productivity in academic activities; changes in sleep and eating; mood changes, as well as interference in the acquisition of new knowledge.