Educación a distancia en emergencia: Experiencias de docentes universitarios del Sur de Chile en tiempos de covid-19

Abstract

This article seeks to investigate the difficulties, needs, opportunities and personal experiences that professors have as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic in the teaching learning process. A qualitative investigation was carried out with a case study design. Five academics from the Catholic University of Temuco of Chile participated and a semi-structured interview was applied. For the analysis of the data, an open coding linked to the research questions was developed, in addition to an axial coding to know the relationship between the emerging categories. Professors mention domestic, technological, and operational difficulties with their students that affect their work, in addition to structural difficulties associated with the institution. The needs include training and support for virtual processes and more attention for the teaching work. The great opportunity is technology, that will undoubtedly generate important transformations in higher education. Professors explicitly mention that they feel overwhelmed by their workload. Self-care, accompaniment, flexibility and support from the institutions appear as important elements to develop in order to face the scenario of uncertainty caused by the pandemic and confinement.