6e1be624-4a48-41bc-aabc-5f1c7bbdb6e020210222055124068naunmdt@crossref.orgMDT DepositInternational Journal of Education and Information Technologies2074-131610.46300/9109http://www.naun.org/cms.action?id=3037430202043020201410.46300/9109.2020.14http://www.naun.org/cms.action?id=23206Maria EftychiaAngelakiUniversity of Piraeus, Department of Informatics, 185 34, Piraeus, GreeceTheodorosKarvounidisUniversity of Piraeus, Department of Informatics, 185 34, Piraeus, GreeceChristosDouligerisUniversity of Piraeus, Department of Informatics, 185 34, Piraeus, GreeceDuring the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Greek schools were closed, and for the first time in Greece, distance education has been implemented using mostly technological means. This work aims to capture the Greek pupils' perceptions and suggestions on the transition from a face-to-face educational process to a pure distance synchronous and asynchronous education implementation. Data have been collected by 41 pupils via an online questionnaire on a volunteer basis. The purpose of the questionnaire was to identify the pupils' learning challenges and unforeseen benefits connected to the offered distance education. The assessment revealed that the majority of the pupils, although they consider distance education as necessary and useful, do not want to replace the traditional means of education. The pupils suggested that the entire process should be stricter in terms of class schedule, assignment submission, and presence requirements and should be enhanced by incorporating better and more "vivid" e-teaching tools.22220212222021205213https://www.naun.org/main/NAUN/educationinformation/2020/a442008-022(2020).pdf10.46300/9109.2020.14.22https://www.naun.org/main/NAUN/educationinformation/2020/a442008-022(2020).pdfA. Chute, B. Hancock, and M. Thompson, The McGraw-Hill Handbook of Distance Learning. McGraw-Hill, 1999.M.M. Batova, and I.V. Baranova, "Information Technology Knowledge Management in the System of Interaction of Educational and Scientific-Production Structures," WSEAS Transactions on Business and Economics, vol. 16, pp. 545-551, 2019.G. Telli Yamamoto, and D. Altın, "The coronavirus and the Rising of Online Education," Journal of University Research, vol. 3, no.1, pp. 25-34, 2020.10.3389/fpubh.2020.576227E. Armstrong-Mensah, K. Ramsey-White, B. Yankey, and S. Self-Brown, "COVID-19 and Distance Learning: Effects on Georgia State University School of Public Health Students," Frontiers in Public Health, 2020.10.46328/ijtes.v4i4.113M.T. Hebebci, Y. Bertiz, and S. Alan, "Investigation of views of students and teachers on distance education practices during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic," International Journal of Technology in Education and Science, vol 4, no. 4, pp. 267-282, 2020.10.1080/08923647.2018.1511509N. Wengrowicz, W. Swart, R. Paul, K. Macleod, D. Dori, and Y.J. Dori, "Students' Collaborative Learning Attitudes and Their Satisfaction with Online Collaborative Case-Based Courses," American Journal of Distance Education, vol. 32, no.4, pp. 283-300, 2018.10.1080/10371656.2018.1472914A. Ragusa, and A. Crampton, "Sense of Connection, Identity and Academic Success in Distance Education: Sociologically Exploring Online Learning Environments," Rural Society, vol. 27, no.2, pp. 125-142, 2018.10.2105/ajph.2018.304820S. Davis, T. Green, H. Hernandez-Delgado, and A.J. Lieberman, "Davis et al. Respond,"American Journal of Public Health, vol. 109, no. 1, pp. e11-e12, 2019.S. Liu, J. Gomez, B. Khan, and C.J. Yen, "Toward a Learner-Oriented Community College Online Course Dropout Framework," International Journal on E-Learning, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 519-542, 2007.Enhancing digital skills and jobs in Greece - National action plan 2017 – 2020, [Online]. Available: http://elke.eap.gr/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/dsgr_ action _ plan_ eng_subm4_no-memo.pdf10.19173/irrodl.v4i2.153M. Shachar, and Y. Neumann, "Differences Between Traditional and Distance Education Academic Performances: A Meta-Analytic Approach," The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, vol. 4, no. 2, 2003.10.24059/olj.v22i1.1092F. Martin, and D.U. Bolliger, "Engagement Matters: Student Perceptions on the Importance of Engagement Strategies in the Online Learning Environment," Online Learning, vol. 22, no.1, pp. 205-222, 2018.10.1080/01587919.2019.1600367T. Muir, N. Milthorpe, C. Stone, J. Dyment, E. Freeman, and B. Hopwood, "Chronicling Engagement: Students' Experience of Online Learning Over Time," Distance Education, vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 262-277, 2019.10.1109/icai50593.2020.9311333R. Trifonov, O. Nakov, S. Manolov, G. Tsochev and G. Pavlova, "Possibilities for Improving the Quality of Cyber Security Education through Application of Artificial Intelligence Methods," 2020 International Conference Automatics and Informatics (ICAI), Varna, Bulgaria, 2020.10.1177/2042753018785180S. Kumar Basak, M. Wotto, and P. Bélanger, "E-learning, M-learning and D-learning: Conceptual Definition and Comparative Analysis," E-Learning and Digital Media, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 191-216, 2018.10.14742/ajet.2924R. Crawford, and L. Jenkins, "Blended Learning and Team Teaching: Adapting Pedagogy in Response to the Changing Digital TertiaryEnvironment," Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 51-72, 2017.A.M. Nortvig, A.K. Petersen, and S.H. Balle, "A Literature Review of the Factors Influencing E-Learning and Blended Learning in Relation to Learning Outcome, Student Satisfaction and Engagement," Electronic Journal of e-Learning, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 46-55, 2018.10.1186/s41239-019-0147-0S. Geng, K.M.Y. Law, and B. Niu, "Investigating Self-directed Learning and Technology Readiness in Blending Learning Environment," International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, vol. 16, no. 17, 2019.10.34190/jel.17.2.01S. Mystakidis, E. Berki, and J. Valtanen, "The Patras Blended Strategy Model for Deep and Meaningful Learning in Quality Life-Long Distance Education," Electronic Journal of e-Learning, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 66-78, 2019.10.34190/jel.18.5.002W. Barber, "Building Creative Critical Online Learning Communities Through Digital Moments," The Electronic Journal of e-Learning, vol. 18, no. 5, pp. 387-396, 2020.10.1080/02680513.2015.1011112T. Koutsoupidou, "Online Distance Learning and Music Training: Benefits, Drawbacks and Challenges," Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 243-255, 2014.C.C. Chiam, "Benefits And Challenges Of Massive Open Online Courses," ASEAN Journal of Open Distance Learning, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 16-23, 2016.A.K. Varshneya, "Distance Learning through ICT: Benefits and Challenges," Journal of Advanced Research in English and Education, vol. 2, no. 3&4, pp. 6-9, 2017.10.1080/02615479.2018.1444157B. Crisp, "From Distance to Online Education: Two Decades of Remaining Responsive by one University Social Work Programme," Social Work Education, vol. 37, pp. 1-13, 2018.10.32698/0381M. Halim, and H. Hashim, "Integrating Web 2.0 Technology in ESL Classroom: A Review on the Benefits and Barriers," Journal of Counseling and Educational Technology, vol. 2, 2019.D. Bailey, and A.R. Lee, "Learning from Experience in the Midst of COVID-19: Benefits, Challenges, and Strategies in Online Teaching," Computer-Assisted Language Learning Electronic Journal, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 178-198, 2020.10.19173/irrodl.v10i5.637A. Lane, "The Impact of Openness on Bridging Educational Digital Divides," International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, vol. 10, no. 5, 2009.10.1016/j.compedu.2009.11.006J. Waycott, S. Bennett, G. Kennedy, B. Dalgarno, and K. Gray, "Digital Divides? Student and Staff Perceptions of Information and Communication Technologies," Computers & Education, vol. 54, no. 4, pp. 1202-1211, 2010.K. McKenzie, "Digital Divides: the Implications for Social Inclusion," Learning Disability Practice, vol. 10, no. 6, pp. 16-21, 2007.V. Arkorful, and Ν. Abaidoo, "The Role of E-learning, the Advantages and Disadvantages of its Adoption in Higher Education," International Journal of Education and Research, vol. 2, no. 12, 2014.D. Srivastava, "Advantages & Disadvantages of E-Education & E-Learning," Journal Of Retail Marketing & Distribution Management, vol. 2, no.3, pp. 22-27, 2019.E. Brown. (2017). Benefits of distance learning. [Online]. Available: https://www.eztalks.com/elearning/ benefits-of-distance-learning.html.10.29252/ijree.4.1.80M. Sadeghi, "A Shift from Classroom to Distance Learning: Advantages and Limitations," International Journal of Research in English Education, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 80-88, 2019.10.1080/02602938.2018.1433815R. Guest, N. Rohde, S. Selvanathan, and T. Soesmanto, "Student Satisfaction and Online Teaching," Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, vol. 43, no. 7, pp. 1084-1093, 2018.E. Odarushchenko, V. Butenko, V. Smolyar, and V. Kharchenko, "An Interactive Adaptable Learning Interface for E-Learning Sessions," International Journal Of Education And Information Technologies, vol. 14, pp.115-120, 2020.10.1080/01587919.2018.1553562E. Alqurashi, "Predicting Student Satisfaction and Perceived Learning Within Online Learning Environments," Distance Education, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 133-148, 2019.Y.N. Goroshko, "Problems and Perspectives of Distance Learning in Modern Schools," Development of education, vol. 2, no. 8, pp. 21-25, 2020.10.1080/08874417.2017.1342176C.Y. Chiang, K. Boakye, and X. Tang, "The Investigation of E-Learning System Design Quality on Usage Intention," Journal of Computer Information Systems, vol. 59, no. 3, pp. 256-265, 2019.10.1007/978-3-319-41163-7A. Klašnja-Milićević, B. Vesin, M. Ivanović, Z. Budimac, and L.C. Jain, "Introduction to E-Learning Systems," In: E-Learning Systems, Intelligent Systems Reference Library, 112, Springer, Cham, 2017.S.J. Lee, and K. Huang, "Online Interactions and Social Presence in Online Learning," Journal of Interactive Learning Research, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 113-128, 2018.European Commission, Project: Digital education for Greek schoolchildren 2007-2013, [Online]. Available: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/index.cfm/en/projects/greece/digital-education-for-greek-schoolchildren.10.1080/1357332032000050088K. Theodorakou, and Y. Zervas, "The Effects of the Creative Movement Teaching Method and the Traditional Teaching Method on Elementary School Children's Self-esteem," Sport, Education and Society, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 91-104, 2003.D. Belias, L. Sdrolias, N. Kakkos, M. Koutiva, and A. Koustelios, "Traditional Teaching Methods Vs. Teaching Through The Application Of Information And Communication Technologies In The Accounting Field: Quo Vadis?," European Scientific Journal, vol. 9, pp. 73-101, 2013.10.1089/cpb.2008.0228V. Barker, "Older Adolescents' Motivations for Social Network Site Use: The Influence of Gender, Group Identity, and Collective Self-Esteem," CyberPsychology & Behavior, vol. 12, pp. 209-213, 2009.