Staff with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) are analyzing the results from a survey from June 1 to 8 of students from grades 7 to 12 on their experience with and opinion of the distance learning program set up during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 3100 responses were collected through the survey and the results will assist the UCDSB improve the present e-learning model for future use.
“Student voice is valued with the UCDSB,” stated Education Director Stephen Sliwa, “and understanding what is working well with distance learning from the student perspective, and how we can help transition students back to class, is essential as we prepare for the fall.”
Almost three-quarter of students surveyed “appreciate the flexibility of distance learning” a UCDSB preliminary report noted. The e-learning setup allowed students to work at their own pace and almost 60 per cent of students surveyed stated the workload was appropriate to their schedule and needs.
Students also indicated they would prefer biweekly assignments for distance learning, rather than weekly assignments. They also noted “more consistency in platforms used for distance learning” is needed.
The UCDSB preliminary report noted that many of the findings in the student survey “echo what we heard from parents and guardians” in the results of a mid-May survey for that group.
Other results from the survey include 47 per cent of students rated distance learning as “okay,” “pretty good,” or “love it,” while 34 per cent said they didn’t like it, and 19 per cent indicated they “struggled with distance learning.”
Almost 51 per cent of students indicated the biggest challenge with distance learning was “the ability to stay engaged while working at home.” Survey results also noted 36 per cent of students stated a review of spring 2020 lessons would help them with the transition back to school in fall while 36 per cent indicated they feel classroom time should “be focused more on the lesson and less on the homework.”
