Impact of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Australian Primary and Secondary School Students' Online Learning Experiences

Abstract

The impact of COVID-19 has led many schools across the globe to transition from face-to-face teaching to emergency remote teaching in a short period. This shift has affected the quality of students' educational experiences. The study reported here draws on data collected from students, teachers, and parents in eight schools in New South Wales, Australia, using a qualitative approach, including surveys, and applies the Community of Inquiry framework to understand students’ experiences. Results showed that social impacts were extensive and that limited interactions led to a loss of engagement and motivation for the majority of students, who also reported a high level of understanding of expectations but felt that the workload was too high. It is suggested that more time be allocated for social engagement to support motivation and learning.