As I mentioned in the previous entry (see AERA 2009 - Virtual School Student Performance in a Rural and Remote Jurisdiction), I didn’t get much of Kevin’s session, but I did get his hand-out and had a quick conversation related to his roundtable.
Rurality and Virtual School Environments: An Analysis of Student and Teacher Expectations
Schedule Information:
Scheduled Time: Wed, Apr 15 - 12:25pm - 1:05pm Building/Room: San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina / Marriott Hall Salon 4
In Session: Rurality, Community, and EducationAuthors:
Kevin Patrick Brady (North Carolina State University)
Kevin M. Oliver (North Carolina State University)
Ruchi Patel (North Carolina State University)
Jason W. Osborne (North Carolina State University)Abstract: A mixed methods evaluation was conducted of the new North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) analyzing student and teacher expectations in virtual school environments. In this proposal, special attention is given to the impact of rurality on student and teacher expectations associated with virtual schools. North Carolina is currently one of twelve states where rural children comprise a majority of the students attending the state’s public elementary and secondary schools. Based on this proposal, study findings can be used to establish the expectations for online teachers and students taking online courses as well as help design effective professional development experiences that adequately prepare teachers to undertake divergent roles unique to online instruction in rural communities.
In the survey they completed, there were only three of the thirteen statements were there was a statistically significant difference between the urban and rural responses.
- Administrators at my school are enthusiastic to promote NCVPS and LEO to the benefit of student’s 21st Century education
- My school emphasizes how online courses can be accommodating for different knowledge levels.
- Coaching and student support on efficiency and online course management is adequate at my school.
In all three instances the mean response from the rural participants was higher than the urban participants.
If any of the presenters are reading this and they want to add more, feel free to add it in the comments area - cause I know this is very bare bones based on about five minutes of conversation.
