Aspects of The Application of Synchronous Distance Education during the Second Wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

During the second wave of the pandemic, teachers were forced to offer synchronous distance learning courses without the required multidimensional reinforcement. Based on the experience gained from the first wave of the pandemic, teachers started the new project with satisfactory readiness, making special efforts to provide the necessary digital support and to adapt the teaching material accordingly. Teachers did not face significant problems with the use of this platform, however, they express remarkable reservations about the absence of the proper pedagogical atmosphere. Teachers’ hasty involvement in providing synchronous distance learning, seems to contribute to the improvement of their digital maturity, although it did not convince them that it is beneficial to be incorporated into the conventional teaching practice. Many factors such as gender, age and job experience play a crucial role on the findings as it was showed by the statistical analysis. The results of the study justify the belief that due to the pandemic, a tendency of strengthening the digital dimension of the Greek public school was established. The digital skills background that has been developed, must be utilized by the stateholders in the context of the continuing training of teachers.