The data points of this summary can be accessed on the public dashboard provided by Panorama Education at bit.ly/HIDOEDistanceLearningSurveyDashboard
More information on the preliminary summary results can be found at bit.ly/HIDOEDistanceLearningPrelimReport
Most Hawaii public school students say they “consistently participated” in distance learning through online devices during the emergency school closures due to COVID, according to preliminary survey results released today by the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE).
The surveys of teachers and secondary students focused on distance-learning experiences during the closure of school buildings following spring break in the following areas: student and teacher access to devices, internet connectivity, student well-being, student engagement and experience in learning, and teacher professional needs.
“This has been an important initiative for the Department, learning from the voices and experiences of teachers, students and families to help gauge readiness levels and areas of need in planning for the new school year,” Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto said. “We have the opportunity to use what we learned about equity of access to make permanent, innovative improvements to our digital learning approach to better engage our students, particularly our most vulnerable learners. We must invest in equity of access now.”
Distribution of the distance-learning surveys took place during the last two weeks of the 2019-20 school year and were sent to all HIDOE and charter school teachers and to secondary school students from Hawaiʻi’s public, charter and private schools.
All surveys were conducted by a third-party partner, Panorama Education, and were completely confidential and anonymous.
The following are some of the preliminary results:
Student Participation and Engagement
Consistent participation of students in distance learning varied among student and teacher responses. Students report higher degrees of consistently participating in distance learning either through paper packets or online learning than teachers.
83% of students report they consistently participated in distance learning through online devices.
22% of students report they consistently participated through paper packets.
26% of students report they prefer to be provided with assignments and notices in paper packets regardless of the availability of devices and connectivity, and 74% reported they prefer a device and internet connectivity.
31% of elementary teachers report 61-100% of students consistently participated in distance learning and 18% of elementary teachers report 0-20% consistently participated.
10% of middle and high school teachers report 61-100% of students consistently participated in distance learning and 48% of middle and high school teachers report 0-20% of students consistently participated in distance learning.
Student Access to Devices
29% of students report they were issued school laptops or tablets for distance learning.
83% report they have a home computer they use for distance learning.
71% of students report there are enough devices in the household available for each member to use at the same time.
6% of students report lack of technology as being their biggest barrier in effectively learning from home.
Student Access to Internet Connectivity
76% of students report they have reliable internet access in their home.
88% of students report they have a smartphone with internet access.
93% of students report they are able to access the internet wirelessly.
4% of students report lack of internet as the biggest barrier in effectively learning from home.
Teacher Access to Devices
95% of teachers report they have a work-issued laptop or tablet for telework.
54% of teachers report they have a home computer to use for telework.
79% report there are enough devices in the household available for each member to use at the same time.
5% of teachers report lack of technology as their biggest barrier in effectively working from home.
Teacher Access to Internet Connectivity
73% of teachers report they have reliable internet access in their home.
5% report having a work-issued hotspot.
4% of teachers report having a work-issued smartphone with internet access.
97% of teachers report they are able to access the internet wirelessly.
5% of teachers report lack of internet as their biggest barrier to effectively work from home.
A public dashboard provided by Panorama Education can be accessed at bit.ly/HIDOEDistanceLearningSurveyDashboard.
More information on the preliminary summary results can be found bit.ly/HIDOEDistanceLearningPrelimReport.
Students who completed the survey were entered to win a new chromebook provided by the Hawaii Community Foundation. One student each from Wheeler Middle School, Konawaena High School, Hawaii Technology Academy and Trinity Lutheran School will be recipients of new chromebooks when they return to school in the fall.
The Department is currently seeking participation from parents and guardians of HIDOE students for its family distance-learning survey, which remains open until June 30.
A second survey, focused on summer learning experiences will be distributed in July to teachers, secondary students and families for additional insight as the Department continues to plan for the new school year.