Distance learning platform: benefits and constraints

Since the announcement of the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID 19) in Morocco, the Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research has decided to stop classes overall teaching cycles and the launch of Distance Education (EAD). In this context and to ensure pedagogical continuity and diversify possible alternatives, the Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research has launched the system of distance education allowing teachers to communicate directly with their students and organize distance learning courses (Platforms, Video clips, Live, Classroom, etc.). Faced with this health crisis situation, several questions arise: Have teachers and learners been prepared and trained to face this unforeseeable situation? What are the distance learning conditions for students pursuing their studies in Morocco? In this study, we opted for a qualitative approach which consisted in collecting factual information via an online questionnaire intended for secondary school students qualifying in Morocco and on the basis of observations made with the same students. Furthermore, after analyzing the results collected, we found that the majority of students use the WhatsApp application to take distance learning courses, more than half of the students indicate that EAD can replace face-to-face classes. We also noticed on the one hand that 46.5% of the students questioned find that EAD facilitates the comprehension of the courses and on the other hand 55.6% of the students testify that it is difficult to follow a distance education. In contrast, 57.6% find that EAD does not change the way their teachers teach. Subsequently, 61.81% of students believe that EAD no longer helps improve education. In the end, we believe that distance education has more advantages than disadvantages compared to traditional education.