Successes and Challenges With Antiracist Community-Building in Online Environments: A Dual Pandemic Intersection (Poster 34)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: 2022 Education Research Service Project Poster Session

Abstract

Covid-19 has disrupted education as usual. Our region of St. Louis is continuing to see cases increase daily, especially amongst historically marginalized communities. As a response, education leaders have called for remote learning in K-12. However, most K-12 teachers have not been trained in how to teach online. Researchers agree that physical classroom learning cannot simply be copied into online spaces. Online teaching requires innovative and unique methods. Of particular concern in K-12 spaces is building community online. This study utilizes quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate building community in online learning with K-12 students and teachers. Our two main research question are: What successes and challenges do teachers report when enacting antiracist community building with K-12 students in online environments? and How does participation in an online professional learning community that cuts across the racial divide in St. Louis impact teachers? Participants include 50 K-12 teachers from diverse schools in St. Louis who participate in virtual professional learning circle discussions. The professional learning circles focus on building community during online learning in two ways: first for teachers to build a professional support network and second to build community with their students.

Authors

• Shea Kerkhoff, University of Missouri - St. Louis

• Chea Lynn Parton, Purdue University

• Fatemeh Mardi, University of Missouri System

• Katherine O'Daniels, University of Missouri - St. Louis