Homeschooling in a digital age: how digital technologies can help children foster a love for (self-directed) lifelong learning

Morris, T.H ORCID: 0000-0002-0100-6434 and Pannone, S.J (2024) 'Homeschooling in a digital age: how digital technologies can help children foster a love for (self-directed) lifelong learning.' International Review of Education. doi: 10.1007/s11159-023-10041-x

Text 15764.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 9 February 2025.

Abstract

Opting to homeschool children is a growing trend worldwide. However, surprisingly, there is a dearth of research on understanding how digital technologies are used by learners who opt for homeschooling. Thus, in the present study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten homeschoolers in the United States to examine: (1) how digital technologies are being used; (2) why these technologies are being used to support learning; and (3) what digital technologies are being used. Thematic analysis revealed that homeschooled children used a wide array of digital technologies to support their learning. Children’s learning projects commonly stemmed from their interaction with the real world, and a good portion of their learning was self-directed. Digital technologies afforded children access to specific materials and enabled them to collaborate with other learners. Perhaps most importantly, the homeschoolers reported a love for (self-directed) lifelong learning. They tended to learn in a self-directed and autonomous manner, and they commonly used digital technologies constructively and productively.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	school choice, homeschooling, information literacy, self-directed learning, digital competence, digital technologies
Divisions:	School of Education
Date Deposited:	05 Oct 2023 10:02
Last Modified:	14 Feb 2024 16:56
ISSN:	0020-8566
URI / Page ID:	https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/15764

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