Remote Learning Mode in Morocco: A Modality of Choice or A Complementary Modality to Face-to-Face Mode

Abstract

The correlation between information and communication technologies (ICT) and higher education is indispensable, whatever the mode of education adopted; face-to-face, remote, or hybrid. The crisis of the COVID-19 has increased the interest of managers and decision makers in digital transformation, especially in private and public administrations and institutions, as well as universities that were obliged to switch into remote mode. During the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, there has been a significant investment in the use of information and communication technologies in higher education. Thus, numerous analyses have been carried out to assess the impact of ICT use on the quality of high education. It is in this perspective that this research work is inscribed, through that we aim to identify the state of play of the adoption of distance education during COVID-19 and the prospects for its implementation as a conventional education mode. To achieve this objective, we direct our attention to conducting a qualitative study with professors and pedagogical managers of private and public universities in Morocco, through semi-structured interviews. The gathered responses are analyzed and discussed based on various parameters. The results of our interviews reveal a hesitation in the adoption of distance learning as a choice modality due to its requirements and difficulties in terms of materials and management, particularly for open access universities. Unless, master and doctoral students are prepared for self-training.