Visual mediated dialogue in distance education

Abstract

The way people communicate, work, and socialize has changed in the 21st century. Using a virtual environment, we lose connection and dialogue with the person. A person becomes an object. Losing a relationship, we lose responsibility. Only dialogue allows us to become individuals who are not selfish and limited. When education moved to the Internet, the issues mentioned above became crucial. Virtual dialogue in digital space can be termed as a quasi-dialogue focused on creating and maintaining superficial, consumer, short-term relationships, which are not based on values and intrinsic connection. Directness, the certainty of emotions and feelings, disappears here. Mediated communication has become the norm, but interactive dialogue constructed through the Internet only mimics the illusion of closeness because the human face and voice remain inauthentic. Without personal dialogue, education is not possible. It is possible to learn but not possible to transfer the values to develop thinking. The article presents the view of the learners about visual contact during their distance lectures. The purpose of the research is to reveal the harmony between Buber's and the learners' views on the role of the use of video cameras in the study process. A qualitative research (an open-ended question) was conducted. The research participants comprised 82 1st year students of their studies: 47 were studying online for their undergraduate diploma (B), and 35 were studied online for the doctorate diploma (D). Qualitative research showed that the widest role of using a video camera is associated with a quality study process, emphasizing information transfer and reception, concentration of attention, active learning and settlements. The pursuit of the quality of distance studies rests on Buber's philosophy in search of a person, life and the constant manoeuvring between the relationship I-Thou and I-It. In remote studies, as in face-to-face studies, the most important focus remains the relationship, connection, the interaction of people, exchanging values, information and perception. Regardless of the political, economic situation, and at the same time the change of educational paradigms, learners are looking for the I-Thou relationship in the education/study process.