Rural Online Learning During COVID 19

What We Learned and What has Changed

Authors

  • Todd Sundeen University of Northern Colorado
  • Lena Kisner University of Northern Colorado

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3776/tpre.2024.v14n1p1-29

Keywords:

rural, disabilities, digital divide, broadband, educational technology, educational equity

Abstract

There are few times in the history of education that yield circumstances so unique that the impacts have the potential to resonate for years, if not decades. The fall of the 2020 school year was just such an historical moment. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many brick and mortar school buildings were closed forcing schools and families to reexamine traditional school instruction. This article will describe the quantitative results of an online survey completed during the critical timeframe of fall 2020. Rural educational leaders who participated in the survey provided insights on access to teaching and learning technologies that affected students with and without disabilities. Impacts of the digital divide on rural schools are examined, including broadband access and reliability. The article will also provide an update on relevant changes to the digital divide that have taken place since the deployment of the survey.

Author Biographies

Todd Sundeen, University of Northern Colorado

Todd H. Sundeen, PhD, is a Professor in the School of Special Education, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). His primary areas of specialization are inclusive practices and co-teaching especially in rural settings. He also focuses his research on instructional interventions for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities with a specific emphasis on classroom learning strategies, interventions, and assessments for expressive writing. 

Lena Kisner, University of Northern Colorado

Lena Kisner, PhD, NCSP, is a special education director in Kansas for five rural school districts. She is also an adjunct instructor in the School of Special Education at the University of Northern Colorado. Her research interests include inclusive practices in early childhood, special education leadership, providing special education services in virtual schools, and supporting young children with challenging behavior. She is a nationally certified school psychologist and has co-authored a book on self-regulation for preschool-aged children.

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Published

2024-06-27

How to Cite

Sundeen, T., & Kisner, L. (2024). Rural Online Learning During COVID 19: What We Learned and What has Changed . Theory & Practice in Rural Education, 14(1), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.3776/tpre.2024.v14n1p1-29

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2024): Vol. 14 No. 1 (2024): Theory & Practice in Rural Education

Section

Research Forum

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Copyright (c) 2024 Todd Sundeen, Lena Kisner

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