Digital Lifelong Learning and Higher Education: multicultural strengths and challenges in pandemic times

Abstract

The paper aims to discuss digital learning for lifelong learning at the university level in Brazil, taken as a case study. It is structured in the following way. It presents concepts of digital learning in multicultural approaches within lifelong paradigms. It then presents a cursory look at Brazilian educational policies in that area, particularly focusing on the role of the Universidade Aberta (Open University) in Brazil. Lastly, it discusses digital learning in the context of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemics in Brazil. It tries to gauge the impediments and the challenges that may jeopardise a multicultural potential in educational policies, particularly focusing on government political directives as well as responses from university associations and from a public university. It concludes, by presenting possible ways ahead for reflections and contributions in the area.

Educational Scenarios of Public Higher Education in Brazil Designed by the Covid-19 Pandemic

“…Alves et al (2021): The authors make an approach by relating the content of the human physiology course at the Federal University of Pampa to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the ways to keep students engaged with the university was to implement a teaching-learning model relating physiology content in online educational platforms.…”

“…De la Fuente et al (2021): The authors approach a strategy to engage students during the pandemic with the development of a health sciences programming course dedicated to teaching introductory programming concepts. The course lasted 12 weeks and was attended by 27 undergraduate and graduate students from two federal universities.…”

“…Carvalho & Souza (2021): The authors approach the regional, socioeconomic, racial, and gender inequalities that the pandemic of COVID-19 caused, especially in the university communities of the northeast region of Brazil. The results achieved by the authors indicate that the adaptability needs for the adverse situations presented by the pandemic encounter unequal conditions for adherence.…”

“…Ivenicki (2021): The author takes an approach to digital learning in higher education indicating multicultural strengths and pandemic challenges. The article aimed to discuss digital learning throughout university life in Brazil.…”

“…Main results and conclusions of the qualitative studies of the research corpus related to theme "What actions have been taken by public universities to meet the demands imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic": Arrais et al (2021): The authors take an approach to assess the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and how this was handled by the government and civil society. The Unified Health System (SUS) in conjunction with science-based initiatives were surveyed.…”