Distance Teaching of Chemistry During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Solutions

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to examine the opinion of chemistry teachers on distance learning realized during the COVID-19 pandemic in the period from March 17 to June 15, 2020. The sample includes 75 primary and secondary school chemistry teachers. The results show that the third of teachers and students followed the teaching contents in chemistry that were broadcast on the channels of the Public Media Service of Serbia. Most teachers realized distance learning using the Google classroom, using teaching materials that they created in the form of presentations, videos and tests, while communication with students and parents was mostly reduced to Viber and social networks. Chemistry teachers had difficulties during the planning and preparation of teaching materials, but also during the assessment which, in the opinion of most teachers, was not objective. The paper presents the suggestions of teachers in order to improve the assessment process. The general attitude and satisfaction of chemistry teachers about the realized teaching is divided - while some teachers are very satisfied, others are dissatisfied. Chemistry teachers have clearly pointed out the need for professional training in the field of making materials for distance learning, working with software and platforms for the implementation of teaching itself, but also in the field of methodological training and preparation for distance learning.