Innovación en las Universida des Brasileñas y Políticas Públicas para la Educación en Línea

Abstract

This article is about a new regulation of Distance Learning in Brazil, an urgent and necessary need. The objective of this study is to critically reflect on the need for a new public policy for Brazilian higher education in the distance learning modality, considering its contribution to the innovation of Brazilian universities.  The problem addressed here is the following: what is the new public policy for Brazilian higher education in the EL modality so that it contributes to innovation? The methodology used is qualitative, as it includes a review of the literature on the Brazilian scenario, as well as documentary analysis of the Ministry of Education, especially with the support of statistical data from the Anísio Teixeira National Institute of Educational Research (INEP). Another tool used for data collection is the field diary. The results indicate the phenomenon of democratizing access to higher education through the distance learning modality, which is increasingly popularized throughout Brazil. Distance Learning plays a unique role in the democratization of Brazilian education, as it reaches places where higher education, in face-to-face modality, is still not available. Additionally, it facilitates the inclusion and retention of students who face fixed schedule restrictions for studying, as well as geographical and economic barriers. The importance of a new public policy for Brazilian higher education in the distance learning modality will be a mechanism to ensure its quality in provision and, as a consequence, will contribute to the innovation of Brazilian universities, forming competent individuals for life and the market.