Planning, Living, and Adding to our Plates: K-3 educators' Experiences of Curricula in Virtual Learning Environments (VLE)

Abstract

Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) have interested scholars since the late 20^th century, with much of the research focusing on secondary and post-secondary instructors and learners (Brown, 2010; Dabbagh, 2007; Fuchs, 2020; Proserpio & Gioia, 2007). With the onset of VLEs in elementary education due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the continuation of synchronous virtual learning thereafter, VLEs have become commonplace in K-3 contexts across Ontario. Yet, as we contend with the ubiquitous nature of technology in early elementary, a paucity of literature exists regarding teachers’ and early childhood educators' (ECE) experiences of planned and lived curricula (Aperribai et al., 2020; Ferdig et al., 2020; Muldong et al., 2021) in VLEs. Adopting a narrative methodological approach, I reflected on themes unearthed through narrative interviews with five educators (Clandinin, 2006; Clandinin & Connelly, 1988, 1996, 2000). Early narrative analysis suggested four narrative threads: time, parent relationships, classroom community, teacher presence and engagement, and technological barriers. Each thread explored how teachers navigated the entanglements of planned and lived curricular experiences in VLEs. Further, the threads exposed critical elements to be considered in future VLE policy and curricular reform in the K-3 context.