Creating Spaces for Deep Conversations around Equity in Synchronous Online Learning Environments: A Case Study

Distance education is a new frontier for many rural California schools. In the spring of 2020, a global pandemic caused an immediate transition to online, synchronous learning platforms for the entire state. In discussion-based classrooms, where students build learning from the material, and interaction with each other, the shift posed new challenges to educators and students. This mixed methods action research case study focused on teaching about deep, challenging issues in the area of educational equity using a web-based platform. Focusing on a Northern California University course that is a pre-requisite for teacher candidates, data were collected over the course of two semesters. Forty-eight students were surveyed regarding their experiences taking part in deep discussion around equity issues over a synchronous Zoom platform. Interviews with four instructors and seven student volunteers were conducted to add depth to the survey data. A key finding from this dissertation is that Students of Color were significantly less comfortable discussing issues of race, gender, and equity with their cameras on than were White students. Additional findings pointed to race and gender-based preferences in engagement with the class material. Data indicate that the use of a multi-component pedagogy including anonymous discussion boards, chat posts, and group breakouts is important to reaching all students when engaging an online class in discussions about race, gender, and sexuality.

Name thesis:degree_name

D.Ed.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Department of Educational Methodology, Policy, and Leadership

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Oregon

Year dc:date.issued

2021

Author dc:creator

• Schreder, Karen

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Alonzo, Julie

• equity
• gender
• higher education
• online synchronous learning
• pedagogy
• teacher education

Statement dc:rights

• All Rights Reserved.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1794/26856

OAI record oai:identifier

https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/server/oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=dim&identifier=oai%3Ascholarsbank.uoregon.edu%3A1794%2F26856