The teacher-student communication in the Mechanical Agricultural Engineering Academic Program facing the COVID-19 contingency

Abstract

The COVID-19 contingency took the agricultural mechanic community by surprise,
actions were implemented to get the requirements of teaching in online mode. A
survey was applied to know the communication and connectivity conditions of
teaching; at institutional level, actions were implemented to train all teachers in
the virtual media and digital tools use to facilitate the preparation of materials to
achieve a suitable communication and learning.
The surveys showed that 49% had a smart phone to attend online classes, 49%
had a computer and 3% a tablet; 90% had access to internet and the rest indicated
that was complicated in their home place; 60% mentioned that the internet connection was regular and 30% was deficient; 90% had access to social media, the
media were provided to attend instructions from teachers trough WhatsApp and
Facebook being the cheapest. 10% indicated that don’t have internet access,
that’s why they opted to request a temporary absence.
Professors currently have Facebook groups for each course, 2% do not have
WhatsApp groups and the way to receive assignments are 38% email, 25% Facebook and 37% UAAAN online courses. In forums has been commented that once
the face-to-face modality is returned, the adjustments will be made to implement
integrative practices to strengthen the skills required by students in each course
of their curriculum.