Examining Primary School Teachers’ Attitudes Towards Distance Education in the COVID-19 Period

Abstract

Due to pandemic effects all over the world, the sudden switch to distance education has doubtlessly affected primary schools more adversely in education. Concerning the pandemic period, this study aimed to examine primary school teachers' attitudes on distance education. More specifically, the survey study with 173 primary school teachers’ participation examined whether teachers' attitudes towards distance education have a meaningful difference in terms of gender, age, and teaching experience. The data which was collected via the “Attitude Scale on Distance Education” were analyzed through independent samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference between gender and primary school teachers' attitudes towards distance education; however, there is a statistically significant difference according to age and teaching experience. In addition, primary school teachers' attitudes towards distance education were negative. The possible reasons for these results were discussed and some implications were presented for research, practice, and policymakers.