Digital Revolution During Pandemic: A Case Study From Turkey

Abstract

Purpose: Drawing upon the pandemic experience in Turkey, this case study attempts to broaden our understanding about the pandemic revolution in K-12 private education sector. Focusing on the benefits, burdens, opportunities and threats experienced during the pandemic education, the study’s results are expected to offer some invaluable insights to K-12 educational leaders in private education sector both for the pandemic and post-pandemic education. Method: The data for the study was collected by a semi-structured Zoom interviews from a total of 32 participants consisting of one private school principal, three vice principals, eight department heads, eight teachers, six parents and six students. Data was analyzed through content analysis. Findings: The findings of the study were reported under five main themes: Pandemic revolutions and consequences of those revolutions through the lenses of students, parents, teachers and administrators. Implications for Research and Practice: Findings revealed that despite all the glitches and inconvenience experienced during Covid-19, Covid-19 induced digital revolution is likely to have a lasting impact on education. Despite some overzealous futurists, online education is not for everyone or the substitute of on-site education. Yet, blending the two modes of education in a balanced way (hybrid education) seems to be a viable alternative for tomorrow’s schooling system.