Teaching staff digital experience insights survey 2020/21: UK further education findings

The pandemic has changed the role of teachers.

There is no doubt that the pandemic has had a significant impact on teaching and learning, and this report highlights the experiences of teaching staff during this period. Now is the perfect time to utilise these insights to build a robust future for a digitally capable sector.

Key findings:

• More than two-thirds of teachers were offered support with online teaching during the pandemic; however, 65% said this added significant new stress to their workload, leading to anxiety and exhaustion. 
• Teaching online created technical challenges for 83% of staff, with many experiencing problems on multiple occasions. Not all respondents could access the online systems and services they needed, and over half had wi-fi issues.
• The survey further reveals only half of the teaching staff received guidance about the digital skills needed in their role.
• Overall, teaching staff are pleased with online learning quality, with 78% rating it as ‘best imaginable’, ‘excellent’ or ‘good’.
• 72% of respondents felt they communicated effectively online. However, only half agreed that their college supported them to use their own digital devices.

Although there have been evident struggles for teaching staff, some key recommendations in the report will enhance the education sector if implemented.