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10-03-2022 | Original Paper

The Role of the Advocate in Cyber Schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors: Dennis Beck, Jered Borup, Camie Wood

Published in: TechTrends | Issue 2/2022

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Abstract

Existing research on facilitators in K-12 schools has focused on supplemental online programs where on-site personnel work with online students in a local brick-and-mortar school. While some insightful research exists focused on online facilitators at full-time cyber schools, additional research is needed to examine facilitators using synchronous support. The purpose of this study was to determine whether and how the role of a facilitator in a full-time cyber school could help to address students’ cognitive, behavioral, and affective engagement needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted qualitative interviews with two administrators and four advocates during Spring 2020, using the Academic Communities of Engagement Framework as a lens to understand the advocates’ role. Findings confirmed the need for a facilitator role to support online student engagement. This type of research will provide insights to full-time cyber schools and will be insightful to those seeking to engage students during emergency remote learning.

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Title: The Role of the Advocate in Cyber Schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Dennis Beck
Jered Borup
Camie Wood
Publication date: 10-03-2022
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: TechTrends / Issue 2/2022
Print ISSN: 8756-3894
Electronic ISSN: 1559-7075
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-022-00710-3

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The Role of the Advocate in Cyber Schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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