Date of Award
Fall 2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Committee Chair
Dale Lamb
Abstract
This qualitative study investigated how parents experienced remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular attention to how they managed educational challenges within the home. Using focus group interviews, the research explored the contextual factors that shaped parental engagement in their children’s virtual learning environments. The study was informed by the interpretive lenses of intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1989), experiential learning (Kolb, 1984), and critical pedagogy (Hooks, 1994), which guided the analysis but were not treated as data sources. The findings reflect firsthand narratives rather than theoretical assumptions, ensuring that conclusions remain grounded in participants’ lived realities. Key themes that emerged from the data include difficulties accessing reliable technology, emotional strain from balancing caregiving and instructional responsibilities, inconsistent communication from schools, and varied teacher responsiveness. While gendered caregiving roles and structural frustrations were noted in some accounts, the data did not support broad claims about the role of race, income, or employment status. As such, inter-sectional dynamics are acknowledged cautiously and contextually rather than generalized. Parents described both the obstacles they encountered and the adaptive strategies they employed in navigating educational uncertainty. These findings underscore the need to elevate lived experience when shaping educational responses to crisis. The study critiques the limitations of universal policy solutions and calls for more equity-focused practices that recognize the diverse circumstances of families. It emphasizes the importance of culturally responsive communication, flexible learning models, and stronger parental inclusion in educational decision-making.
Recommended Citation
Alston, Kendra N., "Remote Learning During COVID-19: A Qualitative Exploration of Parental Experiences in a Time of Educational Disruption" (2025). Doctor of Education Dissertations. 282.
https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/education-dissertations/282
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Included in
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