Overview of the institutionalization of distance education in Federal Network of professional and technology Education – 2021

Abstract

This article aims to present the portrait of the institutionalization of distance education in the Federal Network of Professional Education, whose research was carried out in 2021 by the Distance Learning Working Group created by the National Council of Institutions of the Federal Network of Professional, Scientific and Technological Education (CONIF). As the methodology of the present study, the technical survey procedure was used, through a questionnaire for the Federal Network, which was answered by all 41 institutions represented by Conif and two more Technical Schools linked to universities, in total of 43 respondents. As a result, an important advance was observed in the network regarding the institutionalization process, especially in relation to the number of distance courses, students, distance disciplines in face-to-face courses, campuses of institutions acting as centers, in the diversified use of methodologies and a significant performance of the EaD management centers during the pandemic. As aspects to improve, we highlight the need for greater structuring of distance learning management centers, with the hiring of more effective professionals with more gratified functions, more efforts in research and extension in distance courses and the minimization of internal and external resistance to modality.