Date of Award
Spring 3-2023
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
Education
Committee Chair
Dr. Kyna Shelley
Committee Chair School
Education
Committee Member 2
Dr. Noal Cochran
Committee Member 2 School
Education
Committee Member 3
Dr. David Lee
Committee Member 3 School
Education
Committee Member 4
Dr. Thomas Lipscomb
Committee Member 4 School
Education
Abstract
The worldwide health emergency agency due to COVID-19 caused confinement of people and, with it, the closure of schools and the transfer of face-to-face instruction to distance instruction. With a lack of guidance from school crisis management plans, teachers had to adapt to new methodological approaches in confinement at a rapid pace. This study aims to gain knowledge of the experiences of K-5 teachers adopting online instruction during COVID-19 to assist in crisis planning.
A quantitative research design was used to collect and analyze data anonymously through an online survey of K-5 teachers. After statistical data analysis, there was a positive correlation between teachers' comfort level and teacher preparedness. The results suggest that crisis plans for moving teachers to distance instruction should include plans and training for writing lessons, teaching strategies for distance instruction, and effective ways to provide student feedback. The type or method of delivery of distance instruction did not affect the teacher's perspective on student achievement, making it not a priority for crisis planning. Lastly, the regression found a positive relationship between teacher preparedness and administrative instruction and planning support. Concluding, school leadership should implement the following administrative support to assist in teacher preparedness to move to distance instruction: provide appropriate resources and training for those resources, review and evaluate lesson planning, conduct faculty meetings, establish a communication plan, provide students one-to-one technology that can be taken home, ensure all students have home internet service, and train teachers in the crisis plan.
Recommended Citation
Jenkins, Rose, "The K-5 Teacher Experience of Distance Instruction during School Closures due to COVID-19" (2023). Dissertations. 2132.
https://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations/2132