Opinions of teachers, students and parents on distance education conducted at primary scholl level during the Covid-19 epidemic

In this study, it is aimed to collect information about how the distance education process of the distance education applications, which were implemented in the spring term of the 2019-2020 academic year, when the COVID-19 epidemic started in Turkey, is carried out, to identify possible problems and to make suggestions for more effective execution. By taking the opinions of teachers, students and parents at the primary school level about the distance education process, possible problems and suggestions were determined in order to carry out the process in a more qualified manner. Qualitative research method and phenomenological design were used in the research. The study group of the research consists of 22 classroom teachers, 20 primary school students and 28 primary school parents who continue their education remotely in Düzce in the 2019-2020 academic year. Maximum variation sampling, one of the purposive sampling methods, was used to determine the study group. Semi-structured interview forms were used as data collection tool. Three different semi-structured interview forms were prepared by the researcher for the teacher, student and parent by taking advantage of the literature and taking expert opinion. In the development of the interview questions, the questions were arranged according to the characteristics of the study group for each form, a preliminary application was made and expert opinions were taken. The data of the research were collected by interview technique in the spring semester of the 2019-2020 academic year. Descriptive statistics method was used in the analysis of closed-ended questions, and content analysis method was used in the analysis of open-ended questions. Regarding the offline activities carried out in the distance education process within the scope of the first sub-purpose of the research; It was concluded that the study group consisting of teachers, students and parents generally watched the lessons broadcast through EBA TV and EBA digital education platform, these lessons were watched on television, and the lessons were liked by the students. It was concluded that the study group found the video lessons published through the Education Information Network (EBA) useful because it preserves the bond with the school. It was concluded that the majority of the study group found the duration of the courses published through EBA short, the content superficial, the learning-teaching process simple, the methods-techniques and materials used in the lessons inadequate, and the measurement and evaluation uniform. Regarding the online activities carried out in the distance education process within the scope of the second sub-objective of the research; According to the opinions of the working group consisting of teachers, students and parents, it was concluded that online courses are usually held in the distance education process, and these courses are generally held via Zoom and EBA digital education platform. According to the majority of the study group, it was concluded that the duration of the online courses was insufficient, the course content was mostly determined in parallel with the video lectures published via EBA or the subjects that the students were missing, and the lecture and question-answer method was used the most in online courses. In order to provide assessment and evaluation in online courses, homework or observations are usually made. Within the scope of the second sub-purpose of the research; In the distance education process, it was determined that the study group had problems with internet connection, following the lessons in the digital environment, and providing student interest and motivation. Within the scope of the third sub-purpose of the research, regarding the communication established between the teacher and the student in the distance education process; It has been concluded that communication is usually made between the teacher and the student every day, since the student age group is small, the parents are required to be included in this communication, and the communication is usually provided by telephone and instant messaging. It has been concluded that the communication between the teacher and the student is generally for the purpose of sending homework and content, and the most frequently sent content types are videos, lecture notes and study questions. In the distance education process, it is seen that communication for student follow-up, process management and motivation is rarely realized. Based on this, it was concluded that communication is a failing aspect in the distance education process. Regarding the use of distance education in the future, within the scope of the fourth sub-objective of the research; Almost all of the study group stated that they do not prefer to conduct education remotely in the future, but they prefer that distance education can be used as a support for face-to-face education. The majority of the study group stated that they do not prefer the use of distance education in the future due to reasons such as not being suitable for primary school level, inequality of opportunity and lack of communication. Another result is that distance education can be used to reinforce learning, make up and support face-to-face education for repetition purposes. It is considered important that the findings and results obtained from the study will provide data for the development of distance education systems, detecting the problems in the process and making the necessary improvements.