The implementation of distance learning in Institutes of Vocational Training from the trainees’ point of view

The present study was conducted having as main aim to analyze the experiences of trainees in public and private Institutes of Vocational Education from the implementation of distance learning during the temporary prohibition of the operation of certain educational organizations. The conducted research notes the opinions of the trainees regarding the implementation of distance learning in vocational training and especially the participation degree of the trainees, the factors that motivated the students to take actively part, the problems that occurred and the benefits for the students. With a view to gather the necessary research data, the method of online questionnaires was used. The questionnaire was filled out anonymously by 95 trainees in total, 72 of them studying in public and 23 in private institutes. From the processing of the answers it results, that the participation of the trainees in distance learning achieved initially high levels, but it decreased as time was passing. The factors which motivated the trainees to participate actively in the process were mainly the danger of losing the semester, their fear that they could fail the semester due to absences during the suspension of the institutes’ operation and their desire to maintain contact with the educational practice. During the period of distance learning implementation various problems appeared. The most significant of them were connection problems to the platforms used by the institutes and the fact that practical courses could not take place. In regard to the pedagogical benefits from distance learning, the trainees mention mainly the fact that they maintained contact with the educational process, their familiarization with distance learning methods and their progress in the semester’s learning material.