Distance Learning During the Pandemic: Experiences from Civics Teachers in Germany and Hong Kong

Abstract

During the global COVID-19 pandemic, parents, teachers, and students were affected by school closures and remote classes. Within a few weeks, teaching and learning settings had to be converted to digital formats. But what impact did distance learning have on civics instruction? This question has hardly been examined. We collected qualitative interview data from civics-related teachers in Hong Kong and Germany in 2020, allowing us to answer this question. Analysis of these interviews finds general challenges, challenges specific to civic education, as well as opportunities presented by distance learning. Despite many similarities in both country contexts, teachers in Germany and Hong Kong also emphasized different challenges and opportunities.