Distance education in Angola: challenges, possibilities , and teaching practices in a public university

Resumo

The growing demand for expanded access to higher education in Angola has motivated this public university to invest in non-presential education, with particular emphasis on Distance Education (EaD). This study aims to understand the challenges, possibilities, and perceptions of faculty members regarding the implementation of Distance Education, Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT), and Blended Learning. A pre-experimental research design with a qualitative approach was adopted, in conjunction with ideographic analysis. The study involved the “Workshop – Transforming Higher Education in Angola: the role of online teaching” and the implementation of “Module 1 – Introduction to Distance Education, Emergency Remote Teaching, and Hybrid Teaching” from the course Teaching in Higher Education: Remote Pedagogical Mediation. The results indicate initial barriers, such as limited infrastructure and a general unfamiliarity with non-presential teaching modalities. However, an evolution in perceptions was also observed, with increased openness to Distance Education and recognition of its role in democratizing and improving the quality of education. The study concludes that forming a critical mass is essential to advancing Distance Education at this public university, thereby expanding educational opportunities in the country.