ERIC Number: ED648948
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 122
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3819-4221-7
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Lived Experiences of Special Education Teachers during COVID-19: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study
Sarah Elizabeth Williams-Kelly
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Northcentral University
In March 2020, the educational system experienced an unprecedented event in modern history, the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic affected all grade levels and content areas, including special education, and how teaching was delivered to millions of students. The problem was during the COVID-19 school closures; special education teachers had difficulty providing services to students with special needs in online classrooms. Many students with special needs did not receive appropriate accommodation and instructional support. The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of special education teachers who provided services to students in inclusive online classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic school closures. This study was implemented using a qualitative descriptive phenomenological design. Seven one-on-one interviews were conducted with special education teachers. Interviews were recorded via Zoom and transcribed verbatim. The phenomenological data analysis was based on Moustakas. The guiding theory was Vygotsky's Social Learning Theory, specifically the zone of proximal development, the more knowledgeable other, and scaffolding. The data were coded, and thematic analysis was conducted to answer the research questions. The findings included themes related to the challenges special education teachers encountered in providing special education services to students with special needs, the inequity of technology training within the district, and balancing teaching and family responsibilities. Teachers expressed feelings of inadequacy, fatigue, and isolation when reflecting on the quality of service during the pandemic. Future research should replicate this study, focusing on increasing the number of participants, school districts, or states to provide greater insight into challenges experienced by special education teachers. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Special Education Teachers, COVID-19, Pandemics, Teacher Attitudes, Phenomenology, Inclusion, Electronic Learning, Work Life Expectancy, Technological Literacy, Technology Uses in Education
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A

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