Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Linda K. Gaughan

Committee Member

Thomas Fuhr

Keywords

distant learning, remote learning, online effectiveness, COVID-19 and education, COVID-19 impact on learning, classroom learning, learning gains, public school education

Abstract

This study was designed to learn directly from teachers and parents about the technology challenges faced when forced to quickly move to online learning because of the COVID- 19 pandemic. The experience was not easy for teachers, parents, or students; it exposed many challenges to teaching and learning remotely. Now that many students have returned to fully brick and mortar schooling, there may also be aspects of the online experience that should be kept.

This researcher interviewed teachers and parents of students who experienced online learning for the first time under a sudden and for some, unwelcome, change in the educational status quo. They were asked about aspects of online learning that were helpful and that they wished to see continued. Research questions were posed about the overall experiences, benefits, and drawbacks of teaching and learning in live, online, and hybrid formats from both the perspectives of teachers and parents of middle school students.

Participants shared a clear preference for in-person instruction over online and hybrid. However, they expressed a strong desire for the valuable resources provided during COVID-19 pandemic to be retained as they returned to the classroom. Additionally, some participants recommended embracing technology enhancements and innovative instructional approaches. The pandemic ushered in new opportunities in the educational landscape, and it is crucial that educators continue to explore and incorporate these advancements to improve overall performance.

Recommendations for future research include exploring strategies for maximizing the use of technology to enhance student engagement, facilitating interactions, and fostering relationship building in online and hybrid learners. Additionally, studies with larger and more diverse samples would add to the literature.

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