Extension and Distance Learning in Two Literature Courses

Abstract

The growth of distance learning and the Brazilian policies for university extension are being conducted so that the inextricable connection of teaching, research and extension is increasingly propagated and practiced. Accordingly, this article presents data from an experience with the teaching of two distance learning courses in 2012 as part of the extension project Narrativas e Visualidades (Narratives and Visualities), of the Course of Visual Arts at UNIVASF ( Juazeiro-BA, Brazil). The paper presents the justification and content for the creation of the courses Tennessee Williams’ early work: a valuable first glance and Reading the modern drama, the profile of students in each course and the information and communication technologies that have been used, which generated good results and which were not effective throughout the activities. The results show that the distance extension courses whose focus is literature arouse greater interest in students or former students of Letras (Literature and Language) even when education in this area is not required, but also in people with education in other areas of Humanities. Besides the results showed the use of technologies increasing the participation and interaction, but they need to be thought according to the content and considering the need and time they demand.