Learning Methodologies and Technologies Online. HELMeTO 2021 Editorial: Introduction to the Scientific Contributions

Methodologies and technologies supporting distance learning played a crucial role in
the last year and an half, characterized by the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, all educational
stockholders, at all levels, had to adapt to a new model of distance or blended
learning, necessary to ensure social distancing and reduction of viral contagion. On
the one hand, students had to reduce their attendance in classrooms and universities to a
minimum, if not totally. On the other hand, they were catapulted into a digital learning
environment, to which they were not accustomed. Discussions on the effects and
perceptions have been analyzed in the specialized literature. Also teachers had to
change the paradigms of knowledge transfer and training. Most teachers and managers
of training institutions were not trained for the digital transition and experienced lots of
dif!culties.