2.3.2. Digital learning experience at the University

Academics express that they teach in a manner similar to the one they use face to face (52.1 percent of academic staff in our sample), which is not adequate for, or compatible with, using the eLearning methodologies – this aspect has been also expressed in the students’ feedback – this suggests that there is the need for training the academics about how to use these eLearning methodologies and tools.

2.3.2. Digital learning experience at the University Knowing the students and academics’ opinion about the digital learning experience and relating their answers to the situation at their university, we obtain relevant information for the ways to improve digital teaching methodologies. One important aspect is the task that the university developed the resources and support offered to students.

Figure 2.8. Difficulty for using the distance learning programs facilitated by the university (students).

4% Difficult

35% 22%

39% A little difficult

Neither easy nor difficult Quite easy

Very easy

Source: Original data collected by authors at the University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Figure 2.9. How helpful was the university in providing resources to learning from home? (students)

34% 3% 3%

17%

Not at all helpful Slightly helpful Moderately helpful Very helpful Extremely helpful

43%

Source: Original data collected by authors at the University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Figure 2.8. and Figure 2.9. highlight that students consider their digital learning experience at the university as a positive. In particular, 39 percent of students in our sample indicate that the programs the university uses to facilitate online learning are quite easy to use and 35 percent of students claim that the programs are neither easy nor difficult to use (i.e., the are indifferent). Furthermore, this positive reflection on the use of online learning programs is complemented with the consideration that resources provided by the university are very helpful (approximately 34 percent of student respondents share this belief) or moderately helpful (about 43 percent of respondents have chosen this answer). Students' experiences and aspects of online education (whether positive or negative) allow us to point to the ways on how to improve methodologies of digital teaching.