The study aimed to test the hypothesis that students of a Belarusian university enrolled in distance learning programs with the use of distance educational technologies demonstrate higher levels of intrinsic motivation as well as a correlation between motivation and academic achievement compared to students in traditional face-to-face programs. The study included 114 students from the 2nd and 3rd year, attending face-to-face (N = 40) and distance learning programs (N = 74). The methods used included the “Academic Motivation Scale”, as well as the grade point average, and the Carol S. Dweck questionnaire to assess academic achievement. The findings showed that distance learning students exhibited a higher level of intrinsic academic motivation, while face-to-face students demonstrated a stronger presence of external motivation. Motivation among distance learning students was also found to be more strongly correlated with indicators of academic achievement.

The article considers the possibilities of using interactive learning platforms in the educational process (“Russian Electronic School”, Wordwall, Genially, “Yandex. Textbook”, “Mobile Electronic School”). The specificity of their use in teaching schoolchildren of different ages, different health conditions and academic performance is shown. The positive properties of interactive learning platforms in achieving learning objectives, advantages and disadvantages of online platforms are revealed.

The article indicates that extended professional education plays an important role in improving the professional competence of a teacher. Various types, forms and methods of advanced training and professional retraining according to the programs of DPO are considered. It is noted that the conduct and participation of teachers in scientific conferences on improving the quality of education and distance learning in the format of chat classes are effective forms of professional development of teachers at the present stage. It is emphasized that the strategy of modern DPO should be built taking into account the implementation of new, modern opportunities aimed at comprehensively meeting the educational needs of citizens, society, and the state.