Technology-Mediated Caring: Building Relationships Between Students and Instructors in Online k-12 Learning Environments

Abstract

Caring is an important component of K-12 teaching and learning. An increasing number of K-12 students are enrolling in online courses. The physical separation of students and teachers in the online medium requires a change in the way caring relationships are formed. In this chapter we examine how teachers worked to develop caring relationships with students at the Open High School of Utah, an online charter high school in the United States. Data collection consisted of 22 interviews with 11 instructors. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using constant comparison coding methods. Findings indicate that teachers were able to implement all aspects of Nodding's model of moral education in ways unique to online contexts, and at times with more depth than experienced in a face-to-face context.

Citation

Borup, J., Graham, C.R. and Velasquez, A. (2013), "Technology-Mediated Caring: Building Relationships Between Students and Instructors in Online k-12 Learning Environments", Newberry, M., Gallant, A. and Riley, P. (Ed.) Emotion and School: Understanding how the Hidden Curriculum Influences Relationships, Leadership, Teaching, and Learning (Advances in Research on Teaching, Vol. 18), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 183-202. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-3687(2013)0000018014