The future of distance education: an international comparative study

Abstract

This chapter explores students' opinions and experiences with distance education (DE) from a multinational perspective, focusing on Portugal, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates. The research questions address students' previous experiences with online courses, their opinions about DE, reasons for enrolling or not enrolling in DE courses, perceived preparedness for DE, receptiveness to DE courses after the pandemic, preferences for DE formats, and differences based on age, gender, and country. By examining these aspects, the study aims to provide research-informed support for future DE models and contribute to understanding students' preferences, needs, and opinions regarding DE. The findings can potentially inform IHEs' digitalization strategies, recruitment efforts, learning approaches, and the development of purposefully designed DE and blended learning programs. The multinational approach strengthens the analysis and enhances understanding of the impact of DE on students' learning experiences in different countries.