Half of Teachers Say "EBS and e-Hakseupteo Remote Learning Services Are Unstable"

Preference for Google and Other Platforms Over e-Hakseupteo and EBS Oncle
EBS Rated 'Stable' by 26.4% in Platform Stability Survey

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye (left) is visiting the EBS Emergency Technology Situation Room located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and receiving an explanation.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Amid the simultaneous implementation of in-person and remote classes, about half of the teachers felt that the service was unstable. In particular, only 26.4% of teachers responded that the EBS Online Class platform was stable.

On the 8th, the Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations conducted a survey over two days, from the 3rd to the 4th, targeting 741 elementary, middle, and high school teachers nationwide. According to the results, 52.2% of teachers answered that the remote learning platform they currently use is stable. This was followed by responses of average (24.4%), not at all (12.6%), and not really (10.8%).

The most commonly used remote learning platforms were other platforms such as Google or Zoom, not the public learning management system, accounting for 39.1% (290 teachers). Next were ▲EBS Online Class 33.2% ▲e-Hakseupter 27.7%.

In particular, a high percentage of teachers using EBS Online Class responded that the platform was unstable. Among the 246 teachers using EBS Online Class, 47.5% answered that it was 'not stable.' Only 26.4% of teachers responded that it was 'stable.'

In contrast, for e-Hakseupter, 55.6% of the 205 users responded that it was 'stable,' and other platforms such as Google Classroom also received positive responses at 71.7%.

By school level, elementary and middle schools mainly recommended e-Hakseupter, while middle and high schools recommended EBS Online Class as the remote learning platform, but dependence on and trust in foreign platforms appeared to be higher.

Regarding issues with remote learning platforms, for EBS Online Class, many responses cited 'menu/function stability (64.2%)' and 'connection failures (36.4%).' For e-Hakseupter and other platforms, 'ease of use (57.6%)' was identified as a problem.

The Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations pointed out, "Field teachers are expressing opinions not to excessively demand only interactive classes while the remote learning system has not stabilized," and added, "All responsibility and complaints regarding platform errors are being directed at schools and teachers."

The Federation also stated, "There were many requests to create a remote learning platform that students and teachers can easily access, to fully equip the necessary devices, and to provide teacher training," emphasizing, "the government and the Ministry of Education must take steps to build a stable Korean-style remote learning platform in preparation for post-COVID education."