Survey finds that 70% of all educators covered practically all the syllabus in the period of online teaching

A recent survey undertaken by the Directorate for Digital Literacy within the Ministry for Education and Employment has shed light on the present experience of online teaching and learning within schools. The survey was answered by 1910 educators ranging from heads and assistant heads of school, heads of department, teachers, kindergarten educators and learning support educators. The survey was carried out between 6 and 13 May among all schools in Malta and Gozo.

The survey shows that educators have striven hard to cover as much of the syllabus as possible during this period of school closure and online teaching − 70% of respondents said that they had covered almost all the syllabus, a further 13% said that they had covered more than half the syllabus while only 5% of educators said that they had covered less than half the syllabus, 12% did not give a definite answer but gave various replies with regards to syllabus coverage because of their specific subject or year specialisation.

Educators used a variety of approaches to reach their students online, with most educators using multiple methods to try to engage with them − 72% of educators said that they review students’ work and send feedback to them three times a week or more, with 40% doing so almost every day, 61% also send video explanations of lessons three times a week or more, while 76% send worksheets and handouts just as regularly, 38% of respondents conduct live sessions with real time interaction three times a week or more, with a further 17.8% doing so less regularly.

The survey also indicated the challenges online teaching and learning is presenting regarding student engagement − 37% of educators said that nearly all their students engaged in online learning and were participating regularly, while a further 26% said that this was happening for over half their students. This means that 63% of educators stated that the majority of their students were participating in online learning regularly.

The survey indicates that the situation varies between primary and secondary schools. Educators in primary schools declared the highest rate of participation − 73% of Year 1 and 2 educators stated that the majority of their students were participating in online learning, while 79% of

Year 3 and 4 educators and 74% of Year 5 and 6 educators declared the same.

The situation is more problematic in middle and secondary schools, with 55% of Year 7 and 8 Middle school educators stating that the majority of their students were participating in online learning. In secondary schools 50% of educators declared the same.

Commenting on this survey, Minister for Education and Employment Owen Bonnici said: “Clearly this survey is just a snapshot of the present situation. However, it presents a realistic picture of the way educators have risen to the challenge of moving overnight towards online teaching and learning. It also clearly pinpoints the challenges this change has created, particularly in the way a significant number of students have not engaged regularly with online learning. As we go forward, these figures should spur us even further to improve what we are doing. It is critical that we keep on building on all the measures which have been taken to support as many students as possible to engage with learning. These figures show that the next scholastic year will be an important period to re-engage with all students in the educational system. We are confident that with the support of all stakeholders we will continue working together for the benefit of all our students in order to support them in achieving their full potential.”