Citizenship Education from a Distance. Teachers’ Perspectives and Experiences with Distance Learning during the Pandemic-Induced School Closures in Germany and Hong Kong

Abstract

<p>School closures and remote schooling were common during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Without much planning, schooling quickly switched to digital education formats in 2020. The aim of the current analysis was to examine civics teachers’ experiences of teaching and learning during these remote education periods. Understanding teachers’ experiences can provide meaningful insights into the opportunities for and challenges of civic education in a time when schools must prepare youth for citizenship in the digital age. Using semi-structured interviews with teachers of civics-related subjects in two different societies, Germany and Hong Kong, allowed us to address this purpose. Qualitative content analysis identified general challenges for education, challenges specific to the subject matter, and opportunities for civics in the digital age. Teachers in both societies reported similar challenges and experiences (e.g., digital competence deficits, challenges to discussing civic issues online). Still, there were also distinct differences (e.g., regarding teachers’ concerns about students’ data privacy or the integration of pandemic-related restrictions as a real-life issue in civic education). These differences can, in part, be attributed to differences in the societal contexts. The results further indicate needs for a future-oriented civic education and opportunities for civics in the digital age.</p>