Study title

Distance Learning during COVID‑19 School Closures: Survey of Years 1-3 Pupils 2020

Dataset ID Number

FSD4080

Persistent identifiers

https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4080
https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4080

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Aerila, Juli-Anna (University of Turku)
• Jankama, Hilppa (University of Turku)
• Keinänen, Heli (University of Turku)
• Kemppinen, Lauri (University of Turku)
• Koivisto, Kimmo (University of Turku)
• Koski, Pasi (University of Turku)
• Kärki, Tomi (University of Turku)
• Nieminen, Noora (University of Turku)
• Orell, Miina (University of Turku)
• Vänttinen, Juha (University of Turku)
• Yrjänäinen, Sari (University of Turku)

Abstract

The dataset contains responses to a survey concerning remote schooling and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic among pupils in grades 1 to 3. The survey could be completed in either Finnish or English. The data were collected as part of the broader Distance Learning (DisLe) research project.

First, the survey examined what kinds of devices pupils used during distance learning and how well they managed to use different devices, such as computers or mobile phones. Next, pupils were asked about the organisation of distance learning, working methods used during distance learning, how meaningful they found distance learning, and their experiences of loneliness during that time. Among other things, pupils were asked whether distance learning days had felt long, how teachers kept in contact with them, and whether they had missed teaching in their own classroom or normal recess breaks. Finally, pupils were asked how well they had learned different school subjects during distance learning and whether they had received help from their teacher or their parents during distance learning.

Background variables include the language spoken at home, the number of siblings, and grade level.

Keywords

COVID-19; children; distance education; educational attendance; educational facilities; learning; primary education; primary schools; schoolchildren; teaching; well-being (health)

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Compulsory and pre-school education (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Children (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Social conditions and indicators (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• Aerila, Juli-Anna (University of Turku)
• Jankama, Hilppa (University of Turku)
• Keinänen, Heli (University of Turku)
• Kemppinen, Lauri (University of Turku)
• Koivisto, Kimmo (University of Turku)
• Koski, Pasi (University of Turku)
• Kärki, Tomi (University of Turku)
• Nieminen, Noora (University of Turku)
• Orell, Miina (University of Turku)
• Vänttinen, Juha (University of Turku)
• Yrjänäinen, Sari (University of Turku)

Time Period Covered

2020

Collection Dates

2020-05-15 – 2020-08-31

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Pupils in grades 1-3 of comprehensive school

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Availability

Data were collected in collaboration with school principals and local education authorities in a targeted manner from schools at the Teacher Training School of the University of Turku and in two cities in Western Finland. School principals distributed the parental information letters and the survey through the schools' communication channels. In one city, an announcement and a survey link were also published on the city's website. Participation was voluntary. For underage respondents, parental consent was confirmed at the beginning of the survey. In some schools, time was used during lessons to complete the survey. Data were also collected through a public survey link shared in newspapers, on city and newspaper websites, and on social media. Responses were received from across Finland.

The research data were collected using an electronic Microsoft Forms questionnaire that included a text-to-speech function to facilitate survey completion.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Web-based (CAWI)

Research Instrument

Structured questionnaire

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Data Version

1.0

Related Datasets

FSD4081 Distance Learning during COVID-19 School Closures: Survey of Pupils in Years 4-9 and Upper Secondary School Students 2020

FSD4082 Distance Learning during COVID‑19 School Closures: Teacher Survey 2020

FSD4083 Distance Learning during COVID‑19 School Closures: Parent Survey 2020

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

The questionnaires were not preserved and therefore could not be archived.

For reasons of identifiability, the dataset has been anonymised at the Finnish Social Science Data Archive by removing two variables that described the respondent's school and/or place of residence.

The dataset does not include a gender variable, as gender information could not be collected from all respondents due to a technical error.

Weighting

There are no weight variables in the data.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Aerila, Juli-Anna (University of Turku) & Jankama, Hilppa (University of Turku) & Keinänen, Heli (University of Turku) & Kemppinen, Lauri (University of Turku) & Koivisto, Kimmo (University of Turku) & Koski, Pasi (University of Turku) & Kärki, Tomi (University of Turku) & Nieminen, Noora (University of Turku) & Orell, Miina (University of Turku) & Vänttinen, Juha (University of Turku) & Yrjänäinen, Sari (University of Turku): Distance Learning during COVID‑19 School Closures: Survey of Years 1-3 Pupils 2020 [dataset]. Data version 1.0 (2026-08-18). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4080; URN: https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4080

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Materials

The study description draws on the section describing the research design in the article by Miina Orell, Juli-Anna Aerila, Mari Siipola, Heli Keinänen, Tomi Kärki, Lauri Kemppinen and Pasi Koski (2022), "Oppiaineiden oppiminen kevään 2020 hätäetäopetuksen oppimisympäristöissä - Peruskoulun alimpien luokkien oppilaiden kokemuksia". [Available in Finnish]

Related Publications

ORELL, M., AERILA, J-A., SIIPOLA, M., KEINÄNEN, H., KEMPPINEN, L., KÄRKI, T. & KOSKI, P. (2021) Perusopetuksen alimpien luokkien oppilaiden kokemuksia pandemian aikaisesta etäopetusjaksosta. Sosiaalipedagoginen aikakauskirja, vol. 22, 111-135.

ORELL, M., AERILA, J-A., SIIPOLA, M., KEINÄNEN, H., KÄRKI, T., KEMPPINEN, L., & KOSKI, P. (2022) Oppiaineiden oppiminen kevään 2020 hätäetäopetuksen oppimisympäristöissä - Peruskoulun alimpien luokkien oppilaiden kokemuksia. Teoksessa S. Routarinne, P. Heinonen, T. Kärki, A. Roiha, M-L. Rönkkö & A. Korkeaniemi (toim.) Ainedidaktiikka ajassa: Laajenevat oppimisympäristöt ja eri-ikäiset oppijat. Suomen ainedidaktisen tutkimusseuran julkaisuja, Ainedidaktisia tutkimuksia 22. Rauma: Turun yliopisto, 12-32.