K-12 Saskatchewan Distance Education: Digging Deeper into 21st Century Classrooms During a Pandemic
Researcher: Kelsey Shields
February 2022
Distance education has the ability to enhance Kindergarten-Grade 12 (K-12) education in Saskatchewan by reducing the barriers and challenges currently presented in public education, especially during the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) global pandemic. Within this case study, a website analysis of various school divisions will contribute to the development of a framework for K-12 distance education design. Experiences and perceptions of public school educators in Saskatchewan will also be gathered using email interviews to provide an insider insight into the current state of distance education, with a particular focus on teaching times during the COVID-19 pandemic from March to June, 2020. A force field analysis will be used to help stakeholders identify and understand helping forces and mitigate hindering forces in Saskatchewan K-12 distance education during the time of COVID-19. The framework resulting from this study will aid future distance education design in K-12.
This qualitative research uses a critical pragmatic approach and will gather data through website analysis and email interviews. Research participants are public school K-12 educators in Saskatchewan. The study will contribute to the lack of research in K-12 distance education and will provide inspiration for change in the field of K-12 distance education.