Study title

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

Dataset ID Number

FSD4082

Persistent identifiers

https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4082
https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4082

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 on distance learning, schooling and teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic targeted at teachers working in comprehensive schools and upper secondary schools. 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 respondents evaluated statements concerning their work and pupils' schooling during the period of distance learning, including the suitability of distance teaching for themselves and changes in pupils' wellbeing. Next, they assessed how well distance teaching had worked in different subjects and compared various aspects of distance learning, such as their workload and pupils' engagement in teaching and learning, with normal teaching conditions. The survey also collected information on the devices and software used for teaching, working, and receiving pupils' assignments and examination answers. Finally, the respondents were asked whether pupils had received individual support, what forms of support had been provided, how they assessed their own distance teaching skills, and whether they intended to continue using the software adopted during distance learning.

Background variables include gender, age, teaching experience in years, school level taught, school size, education, subjects taught, number of school-aged children living at home, and teaching role (e.g. class teacher, subject teacher, or special education teacher).

Keywords

COVID-19; distance education; educational facilities; learning; primary education; primary school teachers; primary schools; schoolchildren; students; teachers; teaching; upper secondary education

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

Persons working in teaching positions in comprehensive schools or upper secondary schools

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. In one of these cities, an announcement and a survey link were published on the city's website. 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

FSD4081 Distance Learning during COVID-19 School Closures: Survey of Pupils in Years 4-9 and Upper Secondary School Students 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 an English-language questionnaire for the dataset.

For reasons of confidentiality, the data were anonymised at the Finnish Social Science Data Archive. Variables VAR00004-VAR00010, which contained information on the school and/or municipality where the respondent teaches, were removed. Variable VAR00016, which contains information on the respondent's length of teaching experience, was regrouped into five-year intervals and top-coded. Variable VAR00023 was recoded into two categories only: "Other" and "Special education teacher, special class teacher or broad-based special education teacher". In addition, variable VAR00047 was removed. The variable contained open-ended responses concerning the subject taught by the respondent.

The data archived at FSD do not include responses to open-ended questions 13 and 39 of the questionnaire. In addition, the researchers removed six respondents from the data because their responses were incomplete. During data processing at FSD, the variable indicating year of birth was removed due to technical issues, and a variable indicating age (VAR00015) was created to replace it.

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: Teacher Survey 2020 [dataset]. Data version 1.0 (2026-08-19). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4082; URN: https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4082

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

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.

Suonpää, H. (2021) Liikuntaa opettavien opettajien opetus- ja arviointimenetelmät etäopetusjakson aikana keväällä 2020. Pro gradu, OKL, Turun yliopisto.