This study examines the difficulties faced by elementary school teachers because online and offline science classes were conducted concurrently due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Sixty-six elementary school teachers participated in a survey conducted for the current study.
The results show that the most difficult areas for class design in the “before class” activities were the exercise and energy domains for online classes, and the life domain for offline classes. These difficulties arose from the inability to conduct experimental activities. Among the teaching and learning methods included in the “in class” activity, the most difficult task to perform was experimental activities in both online and offline classes. The teachers expressed significant regret for being unable to proceed with the experiment activity. In addition to the teaching and learning method, the limitation of various activities was yet another difficulty. In online classes, only teachers unilateral lecture-style classes were conducted, thus immediate feedback could not be provided. Moreover, in the offline class, they expressed regret for being unable to engage in active interactions because they are required to observe the quarantine rules. During the after class activity, the teacher noted that each student had a different understanding and it is difficult to derive immediate feedback.
In this situation that the current population has no prior experience for, the elementary school teacher faced the aforementioned difficulties while conducting a science class. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have entered a full-fledged online education era. To overcome these difficulties, administrative and financial support reflecting the opinions of the teachers at the national level must be provided through various methods.