Alexandria, VA – The Association of American Educators (AAE), a national professional association serving educators in all fifty states, today releases the first results of their Educator Survey on Distance Learning which includes responses from AAE members throughout the country. AAE’s survey revealed that many educators (48%) are using tools on which they have little training or experience and yet a majority of educators (67%) are planning to use these tools to enhance their traditional classroom when schools reopen. In fact, twice as many educators in the survey report their distance learning experience improving their opinion of distance learning (40%) compared with those who say their opinion of distance learning has declined during this experience (21%).

This survey addressed five critical areas of concern as educators faced the transition to distance learning in response to the Coronavirus. These key areas include satisfaction with communication from school and district leadership, experiences with various distance learning tools and platforms, preparation as a result of training and professional development, prioritization of equity and inclusion during distance learning, and educators’ opinions of policy regarding pre-existing online schools.

• 48% of survey respondents reported that before March 2020, they rarely or never used the distance learning tools they are currently using, while 26% reported often or always using distance learning tools.


• When asked what is the most significant problem related to school closures, the top answer (31%) was that educators felt too little training for distance learning was provided.


• Effective communication is an asset to solving problems during school closures, with 71% of respondents reporting that administrators and instructional leaders are very accessible to them, and 43% of respondents shared feeling very well informed about decisions made at the district level.


• Despite educators using tools without adequate training under extraordinary circumstances, 67% reported they will (43%) or might (24%) incorporate distance learning tools and techniques into their instruction when schools reopen, compared to only 9% who say they probably will not.


• Responding to which tools educators use for distance learning, 55% of respondents are using synchronous, live online platforms like Zoom, and 74% of respondents are using asynchronous tools like Google Classroom and Schoology to deliver instruction (42% are using both methods).


• Student engagement and access remains a major issue, with 56% of survey respondents listing either inadequate student participation/attendance (32%) or students’ lack of technology or parental support (24%) as the major obstacle in distance learning.


• Regarding opinions of distance learning as a whole, 40% of survey respondents felt their opinion of distance learning had improved, whether they had or had not used distance learning in the past.


• 70% of respondents reported their stress levels increased greatly or somewhat, but 98% of respondents agreed that they would get through this trying time, sharing optimism and hope in light of these unprecedented challenges.

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