From crisis to normal: Science teachers’ distance education experiences during COVID-19 and the transition back to face-to-face education

Seher Toğantemur; Pelin Yıldırım; Gonca Keçeci

doi:10.34056/aujef.1756640

From crisis to normal: Science teachers’ distance education experiences during COVID-19 and the transition back to face-to-face education

Abstract

The pandemic process has accelerated digitalization in education and transformed teaching methods. This study aims to examine science teachers' distance education experiences during the COVID-19 period and their views on the transition to face-to-face education. Conducted between 2020 and 2023, this phenomenological study involved 30 science teachers working in schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions of Turkey. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using content analysis. The findings indicate that the use of digital tools in distance education was limited due to infrastructure deficiencies and student access issues. Furthermore, low student participation and readiness gaps negatively affected face-to-face education. While online assessment methods faced reliability issues, face-to-face education preferred more controlled assessment processes. It was found that students' technology addiction increased, and the missing topics needed to be addressed; educational model preferences varied by students' readiness levels and geographic conditions. The study recommends integrating digital tools, strengthening infrastructure investments, and adopting flexible education models to enhance educational effectiveness.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The Ethics Committee for Social and Human Sciences Research at Firat University has obtained ethical approval with decision number 9791 dated 08.08.2022. All data collection procedures were carried out in accordance with ethical principles, including obtaining informed consent from participants, ensuring confidentiality, and respecting voluntary participation.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Other Fields of Education (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Seher Toğantemur
0000-0002-7454-5869
Türkiye

Pelin Yıldırım ^*
0000-0003-4425-2472
Türkiye

Gonca Keçeci
0000-0002-2582-3850
Türkiye

Publication Date

December 23, 2025

Submission Date

August 1, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 4, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 9 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.34056/aujef.1756640

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA36PW97LT

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Toğantemur, S., Yıldırım, P., & Keçeci, G. (2025). From crisis to normal: Science teachers’ distance education experiences during COVID-19 and the transition back to face-to-face education. Anadolu University Journal of Education Faculty, 9(4), 336-358. https://doi.org/10.34056/aujef.1756640

AMA

1.Toğantemur S, Yıldırım P, Keçeci G. From crisis to normal: Science teachers’ distance education experiences during COVID-19 and the transition back to face-to-face education. AUJEF. 2025;9(4):336-358. doi:10.34056/aujef.1756640

Chicago

Toğantemur, Seher, Pelin Yıldırım, and Gonca Keçeci. 2025. “From Crisis to Normal: Science Teachers’ Distance Education Experiences During COVID-19 and the Transition Back to Face-to-Face Education”. Anadolu University Journal of Education Faculty 9 (4): 336-58. https://doi.org/10.34056/aujef.1756640.

EndNote

Toğantemur S, Yıldırım P, Keçeci G (December 1, 2025) From crisis to normal: Science teachers’ distance education experiences during COVID-19 and the transition back to face-to-face education. Anadolu University Journal of Education Faculty 9 4 336–358.

IEEE

[1]S. Toğantemur, P. Yıldırım, and G. Keçeci, “From crisis to normal: Science teachers’ distance education experiences during COVID-19 and the transition back to face-to-face education”, AUJEF, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 336–358, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.34056/aujef.1756640.

ISNAD

Toğantemur, Seher - Yıldırım, Pelin - Keçeci, Gonca. “From Crisis to Normal: Science Teachers’ Distance Education Experiences During COVID-19 and the Transition Back to Face-to-Face Education”. Anadolu University Journal of Education Faculty 9/4 (December 1, 2025): 336-358. https://doi.org/10.34056/aujef.1756640.

JAMA

1.Toğantemur S, Yıldırım P, Keçeci G. From crisis to normal: Science teachers’ distance education experiences during COVID-19 and the transition back to face-to-face education. AUJEF. 2025;9:336–358.

MLA

Toğantemur, Seher, et al. “From Crisis to Normal: Science Teachers’ Distance Education Experiences During COVID-19 and the Transition Back to Face-to-Face Education”. Anadolu University Journal of Education Faculty, vol. 9, no. 4, Dec. 2025, pp. 336-58, doi:10.34056/aujef.1756640.

Vancouver

1.Seher Toğantemur, Pelin Yıldırım, Gonca Keçeci. From crisis to normal: Science teachers’ distance education experiences during COVID-19 and the transition back to face-to-face education. AUJEF. 2025 Dec. 1;9(4):336-58. doi:10.34056/aujef.1756640