OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES CREATED BY TECHNOLOGY IN PEDAGOGICAL PROCEDURES IN TIMES OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

The Covid-19 health emergency imposed a significantly challenging scenario on several sectors of society, with Education being one of the most affected. Communication appears as a crucial element in facing these adversities. Consequently, an increase in flexibility and teleworking in pedagogy was established, combined with digital transformation, becoming a predictable consequence of the impact of the pandemic. However, challenges such as technology effectiveness and technological fairness need to be considered. In view of this, a study was developed with the aim of understanding how Education was affected by the new dynamics associated with the pandemic and, especially, it seeks to analyze how educators dealt with the opportunities and challenges of this period in their professional lives specifically in relation to the use of technological information and communication tools. Given this, it can be observed that Education professionals faced challenges due to restricted access to physical teaching locations, leading to the consolidation of hybrid learning systems. The shift to online platforms such as Zoom and Meet has become an integral part of faculty's routines, although quality resolution continues to be a challenge. The dynamic between educators and students evolves towards a more virtual interaction, requiring teachers to adapt to new teaching technologies. Therefore, technology proficiency becomes a challenge for both educators and students, requiring continuous training and support efforts. Equitable access to technology faces obstacles, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, requiring urgent measures to bridge the digital divide.