TURKEY IS ONE OF THE TWO COUNTRIES PROVIDING DISTANCE EDUCATION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL DURING THE CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC

01 April 2020 12:10

The global coronavirus  epidemicdisrupted education in 184 countries. It is reported that the total number of students in the countries under the impact of the epidemic corresponds to 87 percent of the total number of students in the world and this figure means more than 1.5 billion students.
 
Studies show that schools in the countries affected by the epidemic have been closed however, these countries failed to establish a nationwide distance education system similar to the one in Turkey.
 
Following the recess in education within the context of coronavirus measures in Turkey, the Ministry of National Education started distance education for more than 18 million students on 3 new television channels and the capacity of the Education Information Network (EBA) was in increased a short period of time. 
 
Upon the proposal of the Scientific Board, distance education broadcasts began on March 23 and continued until April 30. 20-25 minute classes for 12 different grades continue until evening on three separate television channels for primary, secondary and senior high school students.EBA, the World's largest digital education platform on the internet, offers more than 1600 classes and 20 thousand interactive contexts for students. Students are recommended to follow their classes on TRT EBA TV and use EBA for repeating classes, catch up on missing subjects and solve questions. Students are informed about which hours they must use EBA in an effort to prevent system overload. 
 
Free internet support for EBA
Turkey's 3 major GMS operators are providing free 8GB internet services for students who wanto enter EBA providing internet access to all classes. 
 
Live classes between students and teachers
Meanwhile, the Ministry has initiated a pilot study of live classroom application allowing interactive lectures by eliminating the distance between the teacher and students during distance education process for 8th and 12th grade students. The goal of the pilot study is to achieve the participation of 1 million 700 thousand students studying in 8th grade and 1 million students studying in 12th grade in the live classroom application. It is planned to gradually expand this application to the whole of Turkey following the end of the pilot study.
 
In live classroom, teachers give classes and homework and use interactive ask-answer-test methods from home via television channels or on EBA.
 
Meanwhile, the EBA Control Center was founded in order to offer quick solutions to problems that occur due to massive internet demand by millions of students with the start of distance education.
 
Innovations in EBA
In addition to development of lesson materials used for the distance education, art, sports and scientific activities are integrated to the television broadcasts and EBA. Moreover, 40 different experiment videos which can be conducted by children at home under the supervision of their parents are also prepared.
 
Test solution hour on television 
Moreover, programs covering subjects that will be tested at the Higher Education Exam (YKS) and High School Entrance Exam (LGS) to 8th and 12th grade students are also ready. Test solution hour for students preparing for these exams will be available in order to support these students in their routine preparation program. Children will have the opportunity to solve sample tests prepared for them during this class.
 
Meanwhile, preparations for parents in order to allow them to take an active role during the distance education process and to give them guidance support are still continuing. 
 
EBA Academic Support special to students preparing for university exams 
EBA Academic Support Module which was installed for 11th and 12th grade students during the university preparation process is widely followed by students currently receiving distance education system empowered with virtual intelligence. It is open for free use to private school students, too. 
 
Remedial training will begin after the end of the recess 
Following the end of the recess in education, accelerated classes will begin with the reopening of schools. Support and education courses will play an active role in these classes. All kinds of remedial training will be offered during weekends and summer, if required, in order to allow students to achieve their educational goals. 
 
Distance education in China
Minister of National Education Ziya Selçuk announced that distance education will be carried out in Turkey which was only used in China. 
 
After the beginning of corona virus epidemic in China, the country had initiated distance education program at the national level. Cloud systems that allow millions of visitors to get online education at once were used and the country updated its internet infrastructure in order to provide live lectures to students.
 
On the other hand, some countries are offering distance education at the local level.