The lived experience of the home educator

Williams, Janice D. (2019) The lived experience of the home educator. EdD thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

This qualitative study examines the experiences of twelve home educators from the North Carolina, USA. The primary data collection method was semi-structured interviews, supplemented by visual collages which were completed by participants. Data were coded and analysed using NVivo 12 software. The research resulted in nine major themes which emerged out of the experiences shared by the participants: 1) Structure, 2) Curriculum, 3) Personal Fulfilment, 4) Personal Struggles, 5) Sought Advantages), 6) Reasons for Home Educating, 7) Reflection, 8) Support, and 9) The Decision to Homeschool. I analysed these themes from the participants’ experiences through the lens of inductive thematic analysis. The experiences associated with the home educators in this study serve as a framework for discussion of the way in which home education is experienced by its practitioners and the perceived value home education has in their lives.

The research revealed that control is a fundamental necessity for home educators. Additionally, the findings reveal that home educators craft the lifestyle and practice of home education to match their own capacity, desire and lifestyle. Recommendations are made for home educators, traditional educators and further study.

Item Type: Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (EdD)
Supervisors: Medwell, Jane
Fisher, Tony
Keywords: Home schooling, United States; Parent and child
Subjects: L Education > LC Special aspects of education > LC 65 Social aspects of education
Faculties/Schools: UK Campuses > Faculty of Social Sciences, Law and Education > School of Education
Item ID: 59242
Depositing User: Williams, Janice
Date Deposited: 07 Apr 2020 07:50
Last Modified: 06 May 2020 09:15
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/59242

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