How Romanian Higher Education Institutions Have Adapted to Online Learning Process in the COVID-19 Context through a Student’s Eye

Abstract

The new challenges caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic forced the entire World to stop some activities, including educational activities. This situation pushed educational system to move its space of work in an online environment. In this article, we aim to present some of the measures that have been taken by the Romanian Government and universities in an effort to mitigate the potential risks that threatened the education system. We also intend to present some issues that arose during this educational migration to online learning. The measures adopted include providing technical support for teachers and students in supporting them on how to access and how to use the online resources and tools made available to ensure the continuity of the educational process. Other measures include online courses addressed to students in final years for their training in oral presentations for final exams, and also provision of financial support for students with limited financial possibilities to help them purchase a computer. One problem that would hinder the educational process in the online environment would be technical aspects specific to the online platforms, but also the way students and professors use them. Other difficulties include the lack of digital skills, as well as the lack of involvement in the online learning activities of some professors.