Study title

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

Dataset ID Number

FSD4081

Persistent identifiers

https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4081
https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4081

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 distance learning, school attendance and studying during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey was aimed at pupils in grades 4 to 9 and upper secondary school students. The themes included wellbeing, attitudes towards distance learning, studying, the technical implementation of distance learning, learning support, assessment and feedback. The survey could be completed in either Finnish or English. The data were collected as part of the broader Distance Learning (DisLe) research project.

The survey first explored respondents' wellbeing and attitudes towards distance learning by asking, for example, about the meaningfulness of attending school and experiences of loneliness. Respondents also evaluated statements concerning distance learning. Next, the survey examined experiences of learning and studying. Among other things, respondents compared schooling during the extraordinary circumstances with ordinary schooling and assessed how well distance learning suited different school subjects. The survey then gathered information on digital skills, the organisation of remote examinations and the software used in distance learning. Finally, respondents were asked about learning support, assessment and feedback.

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

Keywords

COVID-19; distance education; educational attendance; educational facilities; educational tests; learning; primary education; primary schools; schoolchildren; students; teaching; upper secondary education; well-being (health)

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Compulsory and pre-school education (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Higher and further education (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

Comprehensive school pupils in grades 4-9 and upper secondary school students

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 the Teacher Training School of the University of Turku and schools 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.

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

FSD4080 Distance Learning during COVID‑19 School Closures: Survey of Years 1-3 Pupils 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 Finnish Social Science Data Archive does not have the labels for the user-missing values or the English-language questionnaire for the dataset.

Respondents who declined or did not answer the question regarding voluntary participation and parental consent for minors were removed from the dataset at the FSD.

Due to identifiability concerns, the dataset has been anonymised at the Finnish Social Science Data Archive. Variables containing information on the respondent's school name and/or municipality were removed from the dataset. In addition, the open-ended responses were reviewed, and responses containing direct identifiers were removed.

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 Pupils in Years 4-9 and Upper Secondary School Students 2020 [dataset]. Data version 1.0 (2026-08-18). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4081; URN: https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4081

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 Publications

Koski, P., Keinänen, H., Laakkonen, E., Kärki, T., Kemppinen, L., Aerila, J-A. & Orell, M. (2023) Oppilaiden hyvinvointi poikkeusolojen etäopetuksessa. Nuorisotutkimus 41 (1), 3-18.

Kärki, T., Keinänen, H., Aerila, J-A. Orell, M., Kemppinen, L. & Koski, P. (2023) Opettajien, oppilaiden ja huoltajien näkemyksiä peruskoulun ja lukion etäopetuksesta kevään 2020 poikkeusolojen aikana. Kasvatus 54 (4), 326-340.