In the 21st century, we observe an increasingly aware of a series of global, technological and scientific advancement that create a need of good performance in science education at all levels of schooling. These challenges, among them rapid science and technological changes, a rise of information technology use, and continuing movement towards a knowledge-based society all highlight the need for deep education in science including biology, chemistry, environmental science, physics, and sustainability. In fact, the impact of teacher characteristics of self-efficacy level is important for science education and students' learning outcomes in science. In an effort to highlight this, this study investigated the impacts of teacher efficacy and motivation on students' academic achievement in science education in secondary and high schools located in Iran and Russia using motivation for academic performance scale (α = 0.89) and teacher self-efficacy scale (α = 0.91) as measuring instruments and achievement test in science education. Two hypotheses were tested using the statistical programme. For evaluating the demographical differences of the students in terms of their academic achievement, comparative analyses were performed using t-test. Results showed that gender difference was not significant but nationality difference was significant in terms of students' academic achievement in science education. Also other findings reported significant impact of teacher self-efficacy and motivation on academic achievement in science education. Implications, suggestions and recommendations for students, teachers, school administrators, parents, government, education counselors, etc. were discussed and presented.

Nowadays, we all are sitting in our homes and watching what is going on in the world, as if we are watching a science fiction movie, in which we have the leading role. Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), which first appeared in Wuhan (Abdulamir, & Hafidh, 2020; Ait Addi et al., 2020 Aljofan, & Gaipov, 2020; Sorooshian, 2020) and later turned into a pandemic affecting the entire world, does not discriminate between the degree of democracy, finances, religion, gender, ethnicity and region. World is a fireplace and we all are “burning”. In the countries where the pandemic is progressing rapidly, all health professionals, regardless of their area of expertise, have been called to the field. This reminds us of the need to revive the general perspective that we have begun to forget. That is to say, no matter how specific our area of expertise is, we are obliged to keep the general perspective of our field and basic doctrines constantly fresh.

COVID-19’s pandemic has hastened the expansion of online learning across all levels of education. Countries have pushed to expand their use of distant education and make it mandatory in view of the danger of being unable to resume face-to-face education. The most frequently reported disadvantages are technological challenges and the resulting inability to open the system. Prior to the pandemic, interest in distance learning was burgeoning, as it was a unique style of instruction. The mini-review aims to ascertain students’ attitudes about distant learning during COVID-19. To accomplish the objective, articles were retrieved from the ERIC database. We utilize the search phrases “Distance learning” AND “University” AND “COVID.” We compiled a list of 139 articles. We chose papers with “full text” and “peer reviewed only” sections. Following the exclusion, 58 articles persisted. Then, using content analysis, publications relating to students’ perspectives on distance learning were identified. There were 27 articles in the final list. Students’ perspectives on distant education are classified into four categories: perception and attitudes, advantages of distance learning, disadvantages of distance learning, and challenges for distance learning. In all studies, due of pandemic constraints, online data gathering methods were selected. Surveys and questionnaires were utilized as data collection tools. When students are asked to compare face-to-face and online learning techniques, they assert that online learning has the potential to compensate for any limitations caused by pandemic conditions. Students’ perspectives and degrees of satisfaction range widely, from good to negative. Distance learning is advantageous since it allows for learning at any time and from any location. Distance education benefits both accomplishment and learning. Staying at home is safer and less stressful for students during pandemics. Distance education contributes to a variety of physical and psychological health concerns, including fear, anxiety, stress, and attention problems. Many schools lack enough infrastructure as a result of the pandemic’s rapid transition to online schooling. Future researchers can study what kind of online education methods could be used to eliminate student concerns.

Currently, teachers are searching for innovative educational technologies that enhance the effectiveness of educational activities. The purpose of the paper is the development and approbation of cognitive simulation technology in teaching of social and humanitarian disciplines. Based on the integration of sources of innovation, the authors developed the technology of cognitive simulation aimed at the formation of a structured system of knowledge for social and humanitarian disciplines' subject area. Various forms of cognitive map methods used in the learning process (analysis, synthesis, projection, and simulation) allow developing the analytical and predictive abilities of students, and strengthening their educational motivation. The technology use is proposed for the first time for all sociohumanitarian disciplines in the process of vocational training, which contributes to the formation of inter-subject communications, spatial understanding of events, and transformations of reality. The empirical study carried out by the authors on the implementation of this technology in the educational process (the students of 3 universities, totaling 315 people participated in the study) confirmed the productivity of the technology and the possibility of its adaptation to various disciplines of social and humanitarian sphere.