Examining the impact of COVID-19 – Teacher Survey Report Summary
Thank you to all members who took the opportunity to have their say in the national survey that explored the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning across all educational sectors. The survey was undertaken by researchers at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne.
This research has recorded a snapshot in time during the height of the pandemic restrictions and the rapid shift to remote and online learning.
This research project was divided into four sections, focusing on:
- The challenges and opportunities experienced by teachers as the whole teaching profession moved to remote and online learning, while schools remained open for those students who could not stay at home during this period.
- Teachers’ views on students’ educational progress, social development and emotional wellbeing during the COVID-19 isolation period.
- Teachers’ observations of student learning during the remote learning experience.
- The experiences of primary and secondary teachers during the period of remote learning.
Nearly half of the teachers in a nationwide survey conducted during the height of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic reported working almost an entire extra day while teaching from home, with some working in excess of 20 hours extra per week.
This was on top of teachers reporting significant mental health and wellbeing problems during this period.
The Australian Education Survey, examining the impact of COVID-19, was led by Dr Natasha Ziebell from the Melbourne Graduate School of Education and received more than 1200 responses from teachers who work across the education sectors.
It found 66 per cent of all teachers reported working more hours than usual during every week of isolation.
“The pressure on us right now is enormous,” said one teacher. “It is difficult to manage healthy breaks away from work because parents and children and our leaders all require so much from us right now.”
Another said: “My life consists of remote learning. Recording lessons, responding to work, providing feedback, attending meetings, and everything else in between.”
Additionally, almost three-quarters of schoolteachers surveyed expressed concerns about the remote learning negatively affecting students’ emotional wellbeing.
Regarding school attendance, 15 per cent of all primary and secondary school teachers reported their students always attended class, while 16 per cent reported their students were attending online classes only half the time.
On work standard,56 per cent of all primary and secondary school teachers agreed students were producing the same standard of work before remote learning, 37 per cent disagreed.
But the results weren’t all negative, with some teachers reporting students who are easily distracted or disruptive in the classroom, engaged with their work better when working independently at home.
Teachers also identified creative opportunities emerging from the shift to remote and online delivery with teachers using a wide range of tools, including online learning platforms, making pre-recorded videos, using interactive games and tasks and activities that made use of students’ home environment, such as gardening and cooking.
“We are very capable educators and have done a remarkable job of supporting our students during an unprecedented time,” said one teacher. “This shall strengthen our relationships with students and parents, who have greater insight and appreciation of the role we play in their child’s life.”
Dr Ziebell said the data highlights the ability of teachers to quickly shift teaching to remote learning platforms with many significantly improving their digital proficiency and collaboration with fellow staff members. It also shows what was successful during remote learning and what was challenging.
“We saw many teachers get creative in delivering highly specialised lessons, to boosting their digital literacy, and increasing communication with parents and guardians about the needs of students,” Dr Ziebell said.
“The switch to remote learning was rapid and the response from teachers and parents was remarkable, but what the teachers have identified are important considerations as the COVID-19 situation evolves and in the event that there is return to remote learning.
“It also exposed how vulnerable children can slip through the cracks of the system – particularly when some teachers reported students refusing to even turn on the camera and report for their classes.”
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education will have far reaching consequences. A better understanding of the experiences of educators and students across the nation is essential in informing what supports and adjustments are needed now and into the future.
