Primary school students’ online learning during coronavirus disease 2019: Factors associated with satisfaction, perceived effectiveness, and preference

Xiaoxiang ZHENG, Dexing ZHANG, Ngar Sze Elsa LAU, Zijun XU, Zihuang ZHANG, Phoenix Kit Han MO, Xue YANG, Eva Chui Wa MAK, Samuel Y. S. WONG

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlespeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Emergency online education has been adopted worldwide due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Prior research regarding online learning predominantly focused on the perception of parents, teachers, and students in tertiary education, while younger children’s perspectives have rarely been examined. This study investigated how family, school, and individual factors would be associated with primary school students’ satisfaction, perceived effectiveness, and preference in online learning during COVID-19. A convenient sample of 781 Hong Kong students completed an anonymous online survey from June to October 2020. Logistic regression was conducted for 13 potential factors. Results indicated that only 57% of students were satisfied with their schools’ online learning arrangement and 49.6% regarded the online learning as an effective learning mode. Only 12.8% of students preferred online learning, while 67.2% of students preferred in-person schooling. Multiple analyses suggested that teacher–student interaction during online classes was positively associated with students’ satisfaction, perceived effectiveness, and preferences in online learning. Compared to grades 1–2 students, grades 3–6 students perceived more effectiveness and would prefer online learning. Happier schools were more likely to deliver satisfying and effective online education. Students who reported less happiness at school would prefer online learning, and students who reported less happiness at home would be less satisfied with online learning and reflected lower effectiveness. Teachers are encouraged to deliver more meaningful interactions to students and offer extra support to younger children during online classes. Primary schools and parents are encouraged to create a healthy and pleasant learning environment for children. The government may consider building up happy schools in the long run. The study findings are instrumental for policymakers, institutions, educators, and researchers in designing online education mechanisms. Copyright © 2022 Zheng, Zhang, Lau, Xu, Zhang, Mo, Yang, Mak and Wong.

Original languageEnglish
Article number784826
JournalFrontiers in Psychology
Volume13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2022

Citation

Zheng, X., Zhang, D., Lau, E. N. S., Xu, Z., Zhang, Z., Mo, P. K. H., . . . Wong, S. Y. S. (2022). Primary school students’ online learning during coronavirus disease 2019: Factors associated with satisfaction, perceived effectiveness, and preference. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.784826

Keywords

  • Online learning
  • Happiness
  • Parent–child relationship
  • Teacher–student interaction
  • Primary school students
  • COVID-19

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